What Is Transcriptomics?
Transcriptomics is the study of the population of RNA molecules in biological samples that result from the balance of RNA production and RNA decay. It aims not only to count the number of RNA transcripts, but also the variety of RNA molecules that can result from a single transcript due to splicing, polyadenylation, 3’ to 5’ end-processing and other co- and post-transcriptional modifications, e.g. microRNAs.
Transcriptomics analyzes and interprets gene expression patterns under different conditions providing insights into functional genomics, regulatory mechanisms, and cellular functions.
Being one of the Four Big Omics, transcriptomics makes an indispensable contribution to the holistic view of biological systems. Its data are used in drug development, disease diagnosis and prognosis, personalized medicine, cancer research, neuroscience, agriculture, environmental monitoring to name a few.
Overcoming Challenges in Transcriptomics
While making breakthrough discoveries, researchers also encounter a variety of challenges. Here are a few of them:
- Difficulty in RNA extraction from specific biological samples
- Inaccurate detection of low-abundance transcripts
- Incomplete or biased data
- Inconsistent and unreliable analysis results
- Poor-quality and unstable RNA samples
- Human errors when performing multi-step protocols
- Labor-intensive and time-consuming techniques
- High-cost experiments
All these challenges can be largely overcome by automating transcriptomic protocols with trusted liquid handlers complemented with high-quality reagents and integrated instruments.
Our Automated Solutions for Transcriptomics
At Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, we have been dedicated to supporting transcriptomic studies since 1986 when we introduced the groundbreaking Biomek 1000 Automated Workstation. Today, our transcriptomic portfolio is renowned not only for advanced liquid handlers but also for outstanding integrations, easy-to-use software and SPRI bead-based genomic reagents. To provide you with seamless end-to-end transcriptomic solutions, we collaborate with our industry's most trusted companies.
The interactive workflow below is an example of how our solutions can be used in the most popular transcriptomic technique - RNA-Seq.
RNA Extraction Kits
Total Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits
Cleanup and Size Selection Reagents
Biomek i-Series Automated Workstations
Biomek NGeniuS Next Generation Library Prep System
Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler
Biomek Echo One High-Throughput Genomics Bundled Solution
Integrated Workstations
RNA Extraction Kits
Total Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits
Cleanup and Size Selection Reagents
Biomek i-Series Automated Workstations
Biomek NGeniuS Next Generation Library Prep System
Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler
Biomek Echo One High-Throughput Genomics Bundled Solution
Integrated Workstations
RNA Extraction Kits
Total Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits
Cleanup and Size Selection Reagents
Biomek i-Series Automated Workstations
Biomek NGeniuS Next Generation Library Prep System
Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler
Biomek Echo One High-Throughput Genomics Bundled Solution
Integrated Workstations
RNA Extraction Kits
Total Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits
Cleanup and Size Selection Reagents
Biomek i-Series Automated Workstations
Biomek NGeniuS Next Generation Library Prep System
Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler
Biomek Echo One High-Throughput Genomics Bundled Solution
Integrated Workstations
Benefits of Our Transcriptomic Solutions
Liquid Handling Solutions
- Biomek i-Series Workstations:
Pod Volume Inaccuracy CV Span-8 0.5 μL < 0.12% < 4.58% 900 μL < 0.102% < 0.392% MC-384 0.5 μL < 0.38% < 5.06% MC-96 950 μL < 0.1% <0.28% - Echo Acoustic Liquid Handlers enable users to transfer samples and reagents in volumes as small as 2.5 nL and can lower assay replicate requirements through increased assay precision.
- Biomek i-Series Workstations:
- Up to 45 deck positions and on-deck device utilization
- A range of pipetting head configurations: from a single Span‑8 pod to dual-multichannel heads (96/384).
- Echo Acoustic Liquid Handler allows for fast any-well-to-any-well transfers, enabling previously hours-long DNA/RNA normalization, barcoding, and pooling of libraries down to minutes-scale.
- Biomek Echo One High-Throughput Genomics Bundled Solution combines the power of acoustic miniaturization with the versatility of the Biomek workstation.
- Our experts have integrated 300+ different third-party devices from over 60 manufacturers to transform our liquid handlers into advanced lab automation solutions.
- Biomek i-Series Workstations can be integrated with LIM systems and can also be made to interface with AI tools and machine learning algorithms for data processing.
Reagents
- Powered by established high-performance SPRI technology, which uses paramagnetic beads to selectively bind nucleic acids by type and size.
- Ideal for RNA cleanup and extraction from cells, tissue, blood and even challenging formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples.
- Library of demonstrated methods available for our lab automation solutions for nucleic acid extraction, cleanup and size selection for various throughput needs.
- Researchers have had successful extractions from small to large (HMW) nucleic acids from various sources as well as from a variety of different organisms, extracting both DNA and RNA from a single sample.
- You can use our chemistries with manual and/or fully automated methods on your choice of platforms, for optimum performance, flexibility and scalability.
Transcriptomic Workflows That We Automate
- mRNA-Seq
- Total RNA‑Seq
- RNA Exome Capture
- miRNA-Seq
- Targeted RNA‑Seq
- CITE-Seq
- Ribosome Profiling
- Size Selection
- NGS
- Miniaturization
- RNA Library Prep
- scRNA-Seq
- qRT-PCR
- Microarray
- Spatial Transcriptomics
- RNA-Seq
- DRUG-Seq
- Single-Cell Transcriptomics
- Whole Transcriptome Sequencing (WTS)
- RNA Extraction/ Cleanup
Single-Cell Transcriptomics
Single-cell transcriptomics explores high-resolution gene expression profiles in individual cells. Unlike the bulk transcriptome analysis, useful for understanding general gene expression trends of a population of cells, single-cell approaches help reveal unique transcriptional programs and identify rare cell populations and states.
Single-cell transcriptomics has revolutionized the fields of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and beyond by offering a deeper understanding of cellular functions, interactions, and heterogeneity.
We have collaborated with 10X Genomics to streamline their single-cell transcriptomic application Chromium™ GEM-X Single Cell Gene Expression:
What Customers Are Saying
At Single Cell Discoveries the use of the Biomek i7 has supercharged our services workflow. By automating complex procedures, we have not only saved valuable time, but also minimized the risk of human error, ensuring consistently reliable data. Biomek i7 allows us to process large volumes of samples with remarkable speed and consistency, which is crucial for generating high-quality and reproducible data. Its flexibility and versatility enable us to customize protocols to meet the specific needs of our various transcriptomic applications. Moreover, the support from the Biomek team has been outstanding. They have provided us with comprehensive training and ongoing assistance, making sure we get the most out of the platform.
Oriol Llorà Batlle, Ph.D., Team Lead R&D, Single Cell Discoveries B.V.
Transcriptomics in Cancer Research
Transcriptomics plays a crucial role in cancer research by providing insights into spatiotemporal gene expression within cancer cells and tissues. This information is vital for understanding the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance.
Understanding genes and pathways that are dysregulated in cancer helps discover potential targets for new therapies. By comparing the transcriptomic profiles of cancerous and normal tissues, researchers can identify specific RNA molecules that can serve as biomarkers for early cancer detection, prognosis, and monitoring treatment response.
The main challenge in cancer research is the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer. Tumors are composed of a diverse mix of cell types, each with its own unique gene expression profile.
Spindle Cell Sarcoma Cytology
Our automation-friendly SPRI bead-based genomic reagents are indispensable for providing data reproducibility and reliability which are key to these studies in total and to identify rare cancer cell populations in particular. Among others, we offer reagent kits for extracting nucleic acids from one of the most commonly used sample types in cancer research – formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. For instance, our FormaPure XL Total kit allows you to extract DNA and RNA from the same sample without splitting it.
Extraction Kit
Our Transcriptomics Partners
Not intended or validated for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions.
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