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Archer™ Next Generation Sequencing Technology
Deliver answers confidently using Archer’s proprietary chemistry, streamlined workflow, and user-friendly analysis.
Archer technology was designed as an NGS assay solution—which means it has inherent flexibility across different sample types (i.e. FFPE, fresh frozen, cytology smear, fine needle aspirate, and blood), nucleic acid inputs (i.e., DNA, RNA, and ctDNA), panel content, and genomic alterations (i.e. SNVs, indels, CNVs, MSI, and TMB). It also means easier adoption, training, and continued research use in your lab with multiple Archer panels.
Patented Anchored Multiplex PCR (AMP™) Chemistry
Accurate and more comprehensive identification of relevant genomic alterations informed the design of AMP chemistry primers to create high performance next generation sequencing assays.
Confident detection with AMP chemistry
AMP chemistry includes Molecular Barcode Adapters, which are ligated before PCR. These adapters include a molecular barcode (MBC) - the unique molecular identifier (UMI) sequence which enables molecular tracking and error correction. MBC adapters also include a sample index region for multiplex sequencing. Lastly, a universal primer binding site supports novel fusion detection and highly sensitive amplification of degraded samples relevant to blood cancer and solid tumor research applications. Nested PCR employed in AMP chemistry increases specific amplification of targeted regions.
Figure 1. MBC Adapter. Representation of MBC adapter with each region and utility described.
Customizable panel content with AMP primers
AMP primers function independently, which means gene content can easily be customized without compromising assay performance. Archer panels maintain primer uniformity, coverage uniformity, and on-target percent regardless of primer pool size [1]*.
Figure 2. High performance regardless of primer pool size. Primer uniformity, coverage uniformity, and on-target percent are all ≥ 95% for small (n = 228 primers), medium (n = 554), and large (n = 2058) panels tested.
*Read depth must be scaled appropriately.
Compatible with FFPE and cfDNA sample types
AMP chemistry was designed to amplify targets effectively even when quality and quantity of DNA, RNA, or ctDNA is low. The chemistry and analysis software reduce background noise and increases the sensitivity for detection of low-allelic fraction mutations, while retaining specificity [1]. This allows for wide sample type compatibility, including sources with low quality nucleic acid input such as those from degraded FFPE tissue important in solid tumor research applications.
Streamlined Archer Workflow
Archer NGS library preparation is simple, fast, and designed to minimize potential user errors for your lab.
Efficient parallel workflows
Library preparation workflows can be run in parallel, while sample indexing allows for all Archer libraries to be sequenced together. Flexible run sizes are available with choice of lyophilized reagents in breakaway 8-tube strips, allowing for runs as small as one sample, or 96-well breakaway plates for larger runs. Scalable, high-throughput, liquid reagents are available in single-use 24- and 96-reaction kits.
Figure 3. Parallel workflows for VARIANTPlex, FUSIONPlex, LIQUIDPlex, and IMMUNOVerse Archer research assays. Library preparation, sequencing, and analysis all have similar workflows and bench-top protocols to allow for lab efficiencies.
Accessible wet lab work with lyophilized or liquid reagents
Single-use, reaction-sized lyophilized reagents allow your lab to avoid potential contamination during manual pipetting and provide extended shelf life. Alternatively, liquid reagents enable automated liquid handling workflows for high volume research labs. Availability of both lyophilized and liquid reagents allows you to choose the best fit for your lab. Regardless of format, Archer reagents are color-coded with matched protocol steps for easier benchwork.
Get answers fast
Workflows are designed to balance optimal performance with fast turnaround time, with most requiring only 3.5 hours of hands-on time and 1.5 days from nucleic acid to sequencer loading.
User-Friendly Archer Analysis
Archer Analysis is a versatile bioinformatics platform that streamlines analysis for all Archer assays and is available as a hosted service, or as a locally installed server.
Detect with clarity and confidence
Get answers rather than raising more questions with integrated sample and variant QC metrics, error correction, comprehensive read statistics, and clear visualized outputs. Analysis can be integrated with LIMS data, third-party or locally-curated annotations, while providing customizable PDF outputs.
Figure 4. Archer Analysis automatically deduplicates reads. One of the automated QC functions in Archer Analysis is the consolidation of duplicate reads into a single, error-corrected consensus read.
Retain control of your data
Keep your data safe with a private cloud-based instance, or a virtual machine that can be installed on your own hardware, behind your firewall. Advanced permissions-based access also ensures another layer of security. Additionally, IDT passed a third-party HIPAA audit, and Archer Analysis Unlimited is compliant with all associated standards.*
Analyze rapidly and at scale
Handle hundreds of samples simultaneously with rapid analysis times without expensive hardware or associated maintenance when you use Archer’s Analysis Unlimited, a private cloud-based solution.
Interested in learning more about Archer NGS panels?
Frequently asked questions
How do labs access Archer™ Analysis software?
Archer Analysis is available as an IDT-hosted SaaS product ("Archer Analysis Unlimited") or as locally-installed virtual machine. Archer Analysis Unlimited is designed to get labs up and running quickly, with no need to purchase server hardware or other IT resources. The Archer Analysis virtual machine is designed for labs with available IT resources and hardware in their institution. IDT Sales Managers can help you pick the right version of software for your lab.
Does Archer Analysis meet compliance standards for data privacy and security?
The Archer Analysis Unlimited license terms include a Business Associates Agreement and Data Processing Addendum to support lab needs for HIPAA and GDPR compliance. In addition, Archer Analysis Unlimited meets IDT's data privacy and security compliance standards.
How much does Archer™ Analysis Unlimited cost?
Our current pricing model includes a setup fee, a per sample fee, and an additional storage fee for accounts that exceed 1.5TB of data storage. Contact your IDT Sales Manager for current pricing.
References
- Zheng Z, Liebers M, Zhelyazkova B, et al. Anchored multiplex PCR for targeted next-generation sequencing. Nat Med. 2014;20(12):1479-1484. doi:10.1038/nm.3729
*The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes standards for the security and privacy of protected health information.
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