The results of the genome sequencing procedure largely depend on the technology in use. Labs and medical facilities must prioritize digitization when planning to integrate the procedures into their work. Investing in advanced technology will improve test accuracy and provide various data sets forreasearch or patient treatment. Whenever considering digital transformation strategies, seek to automate most processes and streamline the workflow.
There are several steps in DNS sequencing with Sanger, next generation, or long read approaches. Sample preparation is the most delicate as it determines the result’s accuracy. Manual processes pose various challenges and increase the chances of making mistakes. Automation eliminates or minimizes the need to have humans handle the processes. Besides minimizing errors in DNA sequencing, it increases the throughput by accelerating the process. Here is the role of automation;
Enhance Safety and Throughput
Sample preparationis routine and tedious work, which makes it easy for humans to make mistakes. Even with the best personnel handling oligo procedures, the samples cannot get the same throughput as machines. Labs and medical facilities can improve results through automation.
The sample preparation is a rigorous step requiring a hands-on approach, which exposes workers to safety hazards. Personnel get tired from the repetitive tasks of pipetting, which poses injury risks.However, automation can reduce work-related stress by eliminating most manual tasks in sample preparation. Furthermore, it removes the need to handle hazardous chemicals and accident risks. When implementing digital transformation for sequencing procedures, look for systems that significantly reduce the amount of human interaction to the minimum time.
Laboratories and facilities that handle many sequencing procedures can improve the throughput through automation. Digitization speeds up the processes and doesn’t compromise on the work quality. Still, itoffers consistent results,and labs can reproduce the work quickly. They can undertake various sequencing procedures simultaneously to provide a broader perspective of genetic variants or mutations.
Through automation, several personnel can work on samples simultaneously by accessing what they need digitally. They can share information and communicate faster than if using manual processes. Also, digitization enables lavsto schedule tasks to ensure processes run even when people are not at work.
Improves the Work Quality
For better results in sequencing, adequate samples need to be used for testing. Handling them manually can lead to contamination and makeit challenging to monitor the samples, negatively impacting the work quality. Automation helps in batching samples for better monitoring and allows their reproduction to be used for testing. It minimizes wastage from human errors or the need to prepare samples again. Sometimes,patients can’t provide additional samples for sequencing, and digitization can help conserve specimens.
Supports Quality Checks
Sequencing is a continuum requiring quality checks throughout the process, and automation can help with that. Continous monitoring of the steps is critical for the results. Accuracy helps with diagnosis and personalized treatments in patients. Thanks to technology, labs and medical facilities can integrate tools in every step to QC the work along the way. Also, it helps standardize the processes according to the industry and legislation requirements.
