As sequencing becomes more ubiquitous, we find researchers struggling with concepts like ‘paired-end’, designing a custom sequencing primer, cluster density, and technical library prep details, like why can’t small RNA and mRNA both be prepared in the same library and sequenced? This is partially the fault of industry, e.g. are 100M ‘paired-end reads’ comprised of 200M, 100M or 50M single reads [We like to denote this as 100M paired end reads (50M reads in each direction)], and partially due to all the moving parts: new sequencing and library prep chemistries, technology jargon and complexities in data analysis.

Seeing first time researchers struggle (on hundreds of sequencing projects), we sought to put together a guide to help the sequencing novice get a strong foothold on starting a sequencing project. This guide is called our Beginner’s Handbook to Next Generation Sequencing.

The guide is broken up into four main sections:

1. Sequencing instruments and design of a sequencing project
2. Library prep
3. Sample isolation
4. Providers we recommend you contact for analyzing your data

Whether you are new to NGS or an experienced NGS user, we recommend you check it out and ask questions. We’ll be updating the guide on a regular basis, so if you have recommendations, please post them here. Thanks!