Liquid Biopsy Workflow | QIAGEN

Like you, we believe liquid biopsy has huge potential. However, getting meaningful insights from analytes in biofluids can be difficult.
To help you navigate your way from sample collection to data interpretation, we have designed a step-by-step guide for your entire workflow.

Paving the way for liquid biopsy

1. Collection & stabilization

Blood draw, QFT, QuantiFERON QFT-Plus
How you collect and preserve your biofluid samples will impact the final result.
Avoid variation in quality and integrity using our robust PAXgene Blood ccfDNA Tubes - designed to reliably stabilize both analyte and cell integrity without negatively impacting your sensitive downstream assays.

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Collection & stabilization (1)
PAXgene Blood ccfDNA Tube (CE-IVD)
dna rna purification dna purification
PAXgene Blood ccfDNA Tube (CE-IVD)
For collection of whole blood samples and stabilization of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) from plasma and genomic DNA (gDNA) from the nucleated cellular fraction

2. Sample preparation

Extracting analytes from liquid biopsy sample can be challenging due to low analyte abundance, a high level of background and risk of degradation.
Using over 30 years’ experience in sample preparation, we have created a wide selection of specialized automated and manual tools to enrich and extract circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), exosomes, cell-free miRNA or multianalyte from the most important biofluids.
Sample preparation
Purify ccfDNA
Explore our ccfDNA portfolio to get the highest yields and purity of ccfDNA from a range of starting materials. With scalable input volumes and standardized automated workflows, you also get unmatched flexibility and increased productivity.
Characterize CTC​
Efficiently enrich and characterize CTCs from blood using our two-step AdnaTest system. The first step uses an optimized antibody mixture for highly specific immunomagnetic selection. The second step allows sensitive gene expression analysis.
Extract exosomes​
Enjoy spin column simplicity with ultracentrifugation quality with our exoRNeasy and exoEasy Kits. Specifically developed for fast and convenient extraction of exosomal RNAs and intact exosomes from large volumes of biofluids.
Purify cell-free miRNA
Get safe, convenient purification of total RNA from serum and plasma using our miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Advanced Kit. By combining easy-to-automate MinElute spin-column technology with a phenol-free protocol, you get consistent, hassle-free high-quality yields.
Purify ccfDNA/ccfRNA
Uncover a comprehensive picture of the transcriptome and genome by simultaneously isolating excellent yields and quality of cell-free DNA and RNA from the same sample using our QIAamp ccfDNA/RNA Kit.

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Cell-Free DNA (8)Cell-free RNA (3)Multianalyte & Virus (1)Exosomes (3)Circulating Tumor Cells (7)
QIAamp MinElute ccfDNA Kits
dna purification cell free dna
QIAamp MinElute ccfDNA Kits
For isolation of free-circulating DNA from human plasma or serum
EZ1 ccfDNA Kits
dna purification cell free dna
EZ1 ccfDNA Kits
For isolation of free-circulating DNA from human plasma or serum
QIAamp Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit
dna purification cell free dna
QIAamp Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit
For isolation of free-circulating DNA and RNA from human plasma or serum
QIAamp DSP Circulating NA Kit
dna purification cell free dna
QIAamp DSP Circulating NA Kit
For concentration and purification of free-circulating DNA and RNA from human plasma samples
QIAsymphony DSP Circulating DNA Kit
diagnostics and clinical research solutions for laboratory developed tests
QIAsymphony DSP Circulating DNA Kit
For automated purification of ccfDNA from 1-96 samples using the QIAsymphony SP
QIAcube Connect
dna rna purification instruments equipment
QIAcube Connect
For fully automated, spin-column-based nucleic acid extraction that you can manage from outside the lab using QIAsphere
EZ1 Advanced XL
diagnostics and clinical research solutions for laboratory developed tests
EZ1 Advanced XL
For automated purification of nucleic acids from up to 14 human, forensic, or molecular diagnostics samples
QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments
dna rna purification instruments equipment
QIAsymphony SP/AS instruments
For fully automated DNA/RNA purification from a broad range of samples with varying input volumes, with the QIAsymphony SP, and integrated assay set up with the QIAsymphony AS.

3. Detection

Choosing the best platform to analyze your samples requires careful consideration.
If you are interested in capturing all sequences and finding new targets, we have a broad selection of NGS solutions for you to explore.
For interrogating known targets and confirming NGS results, we provide highly sensitive and specific qPCR technologies.
Female scientist, PCR, NGS
Targeted NGS
Detect low-frequency variants with high confidence by overcoming the issues of PCR duplicates, false positives and library bias using our QIAseq Targeted DNA panels.
miRNA sequencing
Eliminate adapter dimers and unwanted RNA species for greater sequencing efficiency using the QIAseq miRNA Library Kit.
RNA biomarker profiling
Obtain complete gene expression profiles by simultaneously analyzing mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA using our range of designed and custom miRCURY and RT2 panels and arrays.
CTC gene expression​
Achieve the highest degree of analytical specificity and sensitivity in CTC biomarker detection and discovery using highly sensitive AdnaTest RT-PCR technology.

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Targeted NGS (2)miRNA Sequencing (2)RNA Biomarker Profiling (5)CTC Gene Expression (7)
QIAseq Targeted DNA Panels
dna sequencing somatic panels
QIAseq Targeted DNA Panels
Digital DNA sequencing to confidently detect low-frequency variants
QIAseq cfDNA All-in-One Kits
dna purification cell free dna
QIAseq cfDNA All-in-One Kits
For conversion of cfDNA from plasma to NGS library for any liquid biopsy samples

4. NGS data analysis

Data analysis
Finding differentially expressed genes in a vast number of mutations can be overwhelming. Overcome this, using our CLC Genomics Workbench - a powerful solution to analyze and visualize your NGS data. By combining cutting-edge technology and accelerated algorithms, you get a comprehensive set of NGS data analysis applications.

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CLC Genomics Workbench (1)
QIAGEN CLC Genomics Workbench
informatics and data analysis and visualization
QIAGEN CLC Genomics Workbench
For analyzing, comparing, and visualizing next-generation sequencing data

5. Data interpretation

Turning your data into biologically relevant insights requires advanced bioinformatics tools.
Discover a comprehensive, user-friendly platform for interpreting your ‘omics data with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis.
Liquid biopsy data interpretation

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Data analysis and interpretation solutions (3)
Ingenuity Variant Analysis
informatics and data interpretation content databases
Ingenuity Variant Analysis
For identifying disease-causing variants from human whole genome, exome and gene panel next-generation sequencing studies
QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA)
informatics and data interpretation content databases
QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA)
For modeling, analyzing, and understanding complex 'omics data
QIAGEN OmicSoft Lands
informatics and data interpretation content databases
QIAGEN OmicSoft Lands
Public and private genomic data for disease research

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