The 48th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan

Chairperson：Jun Onodera (Beckman Coulter K.K.)

Implementation of Automated Library Preparation for Single-Cell RNA-Seq/T Cell Receptor Analysis Using Biomek i7 and Its Application to the Analysis of T Cell Responses against COVID-19 vaccination

Comprehensive gene-expression analysis using next-generation sequencers (NGS) is trending toward greater sophistication, multi-sample capabilities, and higher costs, particularly with single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq). Automating NGS library preparation is crucial for conducting large-scale analyses and providing broad analytical support, as it reduces experimental failure risk and improves throughput. The Biomek i7 enables automation of most NGS library preparation steps through its capabilities beyond liquid dispensing. These include connectivity with necessary instruments and environments, high-density deck positions, and flexible program design. Our laboratory has implemented automation for our proprietary scRNA-seq and T cell receptor sequencing (TCR-seq) protocols using the Biomek i7, providing analysis support widely to both academic and industrial partners. This presentation will introduce the practical implementation and tips for automating scRNA-seq/TCR-seq library preparation using the Biomek i7, along with an application example utilizing this technology for the study of T cell responses against COVID-19 vaccination.