Understanding Genomics & Transcriptomics
Genomics & transcriptomics involve the large-scale study and analysis of genetic material, primarily DNA and RNA, to drive discoveries in biology, medicine, and drug development. Techniques such as NGS, RNA sequencing, qPCR, and gene-expression profiling are central to genomics workflows, ranging from microbiome research to clonal cell line development, to uncover disease mechanisms and biological variation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is genomics?
Genomics focuses on the study, analysis, and modification of genetic material, primarily DNA, using techniques such as NGS, qPCR, and gene-expression profiling across applications from microbiome research to clonal cell line development to uncover disease mechanisms and biological variation.
Why is genomics important?
Genomics is central to modern biomedical research and patient care, enabling a deeper understanding of health and disease at a molecular level. Through the analysis of genes and their functions, genomics provides insights that shape multiple areas of life sciences and healthcare: Precision medicine, Disease research, Drug Discovery, and Diagnostics.
What’s included in BICO’s automation offering?
We provide fully automated NGS workcells powered by BIOSERO’s Green Button Go for workflow orchestration. These systems are integrated with the I.DOT Liquid Handler and G.PURE™ NGS Clean-Up Device supporting 96- and 384-well formats, and are ready-to-run with major NGS kits.
Our single-cell dispensers by CYTENA and Cellenion also enable single-cell genomics.
How much reagent and consumable savings can I expect?
Up to 90% reagent savings with the I.DOT Liquid Handler’s miniaturization and tip-free operation with the G.PURE™ NGS Clean-Up Device. You’ll also save thousands of tips annually while reducing setup time and improving sustainability.
What level of experience is needed to operate these systems?
How do I ensure compatibility with my reagents or workflow?
How we support genomics
BICO supports genomic workflows by combining innovative non-contact, low-volume dispensing with the I.DOT Liquid Handler, non-contact magnetic bead purification with the G.PURE™ NGS Clean-Up Device, and fully automated work cells using Green Button Go, helping researchers miniaturize, automate, and streamline their genetic analyses. We support single-cell dispensing for advanced applications such as single-cell omics, enabling precise isolation and contamination-free cell handling, gentle cell processing, and cell line development automation.
Reduced reagent costs for NGS and qPCR
The I.DOT Liquid Handler miniaturizes reactions using non-contact dispensing with ultra-low dead volumes of less than 1 µL, saving up to 90% on costly reagents and reducing plastic waste.
The sciFLEXARRAYER range by SCIENION enables high-yield, and low-reagent digital PCR.
Accurate and consistent liquid handling
The I.DOT Liquid Handler delivers nanoliter-scale precision with real-time dispensing verification and standardized liquid classes to ensure reliable and reproducible results, even with challenging reagents like viscous enzymes.
Minimized manual, error-prone clean-up steps
The G.PURE™ NGS Clean-Up Device automates bead-based purification with centrifugal evacuation to generate high-purity DNA and RNA, all without the use of pipettes and tips, minimizing variability and operator workload.
Reduced complex, labor-intensive workflows
DISPENDIX’s G.PREP NGS Bundle combines the I.DOT Liquid Handler and the G.PURE™ NGS Clean-up Device into an intuitive, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)-driven automated platform with pre-validated protocols for major NGS kits, including Illumina, Twist, and NEB.
Scalability and throughput
BICO enables fully automated workcells integrated by BIOSERO’s Green Button Go, which supports parallel processing in 96- and 384-well formats with integrated cell sorting technology, facilitating stable cell generation and delivering miniaturization-ready scalability for high-throughput genomics workflows.
Additionally, sciFLEXARRAYERS by SCIENION can print microarrays of 100s of DNA or RNA probes for highly scalable omics approaches.
Ability to isolate single cells for sequencing
CYTENA systems enable gentle, precise single-cell dispensing, allowing for the isolation of rare cells and advanced single-cell genomics workflows with exceptional cell cloning efficiency for clonal cell lines and iPSC-based models.
Sub Applications
Genomics is central to modern biomedical research and patient care, enabling a deeper understanding of health and disease at a molecular level. Through the analysis of genes and their functions, genomics provides insights that shape multiple areas of life sciences and healthcare.
Precision Medicine
Genomic profiling allows the identification of biomarkers that predict disease risk, progression, or treatment response, enabling clinicians to tailor therapies and dosages to individual patients, improving efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Disease Research
Studying genetic variations helps to understand the underlying mechanisms of conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and rare diseases, driving the development of more targeted interventions and preventive strategies.
Drug Discovery
Diagnostics
Genomics tools play a crucial role in detecting pathogens, identifying mutations, and informing prognosis in real-world medical settings. From rapid infectious disease testing to genetic screening, genomics delivers actionable information for patient management. sciFLEXARRAYERs print multiplex assays allowing the simultaneous detection of hundreds of pathogen agents or the diagnostics of hundreds of allergy markers, with one single sample.
High-Throughput Precision Oncology
At the Center for Oncogenomic and Innovative Therapeutics, Dr. Kevin Mohammed and his team integrated the I.DOT Liquid Handler into their precision oncology workflows. The system bridges the gap between medium-throughput and true high-throughput genomics, allowing the team to miniaturize assays, save on reagents, and increase reproducibility. This adoption highlights how BICO technologies empower academic research groups to scale up complex genomic workflows and accelerate discoveries in personalized cancer care.
Products for Genomics & Transcriptomics
BICO offers a range of solutions to automate and streamline many key genomics and transcriptomics workflows and application areas.
