Target capture necessarily requires subjecting your libraries to a bottleneck, wherein target molecules are captured and enriched, and non-target molecules are therefore removed. To have sufficient unique molecules for good sequencing coverage of your targets, successful captures DEPEND on the input of sufficiently complex libraries. For this reason, for libraries with a significant non-target component (e.g., ancient, forensic, or environmental samples), and especially for WGE captures with a very large full nuclear genome target size, we strongly recommend maximizing the target component in each capture by using as much input library as possible (up to 2 µg+), and consider two rounds of capture for higher percentage of reads on-target.

For best results, it is recommended that only amplified (non-PCR-free) NGS libraries are used for target capture. This provides multiple copies of each starting template molecule, increasing the chance of each individual molecule getting enriched. However if you need more starting material to reach the recommended amount, it is generally preferable to generate more library from fresh genomic DNA or a new batch of indexed library, rather than through extra amplification. This is because while some amplification is good, over-amplification risks reducing the observable complexity of your libraries through the uneven action of PCR bias, as some molecules will become relatively more abundant while others become rare. This is also true for manipulating your libraries after capture: amplify your post-capture libraries the minimum number of cycles necessary to reach the molarity required by your sequencing facility.

We generally do NOT recommend pooling multiple samples per capture reaction for very degraded and/or rare targets (e.g. ancient DNA), or for very large targets (e.g. a WGE baitset targeting a full nuclear genome). In fact, for highly degraded samples, you may achieve better results by performing multiple parallel WGE reactions per sample.

The myBaits WGE product line ONLY offers bait production directly from high quality genomic DNA precursor material. This gDNA must be made physically available to us in order to manufacture a myBaits WGE Custom kit (either extracted in your lab or sourced from a third-party gDNA supplier).

Daicel Arbor Biosciences does have the ability to design and synthesize synthetic customized bait oligo pools via our standard myBaits Custom DNA-Seq, RNA-Seq, and Methyl-Seq products. However the myBaits Custom synthetic oligo approach is generally not an option for targeting entire large nuclear genomes (e.g. from eukaryotic organisms such as plants or animals) due to prohibitively large numbers of baits that would be required. However if you are working with an organism that has a much smaller genome (e.g. one or more bacteria), or are interested in capturing only a portion of a much larger genome, then a myBaits Custom kit is likely the most effective option.

Please contact us with details about your project goals and budget, so we can discuss project options.

To produce a Custom WGE panel, a high-purity, high-molecular weight genomic DNA (gDNA) sample is required to be shipped to Arbor’s manufacturing facility in Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

If you do not have access to the appropriate gDNA, for some organisms Arbor may be able to provide the additional service of acquiring the gDNA sample(s) from a third-party vendor.

Custom gDNA sourcing service is only upon prior arrangement and approval by Arbor. This service is only available for species whose genomic DNAs are available from vendors supplying the US. The gDNA sample(s) must be available for Arbor to purchase in sufficient quantity as a commercial entity without any special licenses, acquisition or use permits, or memberships.

Please contact us to provide specific details on the gDNA source(s)/species that you are interested in, and we will review the request to determine feasibility and pricing.