From Sample to Insight: Technologies Driving the Future of Precision Oncology Assays
Assays built to accommodate real- world sample limitations help reduce test failures and improve clinical assessments—crucial in oncology, where tissue is often limited and target abundance can be extremely low.
Building for Success: Key Workflow Optimization Strategies
Effective workflow optimization requires balancing efficiency and robustness to ensure oncology assays are rapid, reliable, and scalable. Reducing manual intervention and instrument runtime are practical approaches to improving operational throughput, reducing turnaround time, 7 and supporting scalable implementation across diverse laboratory environments. At the same time, proactively mitigating risks that could compromise assay reliability, particularly in real- world settings, helps prevent workflow disrup- tions and ensures consistent performance. These settings include resource-limited environments, where sample quality and handling can be highly variable, as well as high-volume laborato- ries, where workflow complexity directly impacts turnaround time, staffing efficiency, and cost per test. Developing assays with these challenges in mind strengthens reliability, broadens diagnostic access and supports consistent performance across varied clinical settings.
Key strategies for optimizing workflow include:
• Inhibitor-Tolerant and High-Sensitivity Chemistries
In precision oncology, where samples are often limited or biomarkers are present at low abundance, assays must deliver reliable results even in the presence of challenging contaminants. Enzymes and master mixes engineered for inhibitor tolerance—such as those found in FFPE tissue, blood, or transport media—help maintain performance under real-world conditions. Meridian’s high-con- centration, inhibitor-tolerant qPCR reagents are designed for exactly these challenges, supporting assay performance in low-input, inhibitor-rich samples without sacrificing sensitivity. High-sensitivity chemistries that enable direct detection without purification further reduce the risk of sample loss and streamline workflows.
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