Implementation of a liquid handler that can increase capacity of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in animals with COVID-19.

总结 该项目的总体目标是购买设备，以增加能力， 加快SARS-CoV-2的文库制备工作流程和全基因组测序 通过实施自动化文库制备过程， （NEBNext® ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 Companion Kit with ARTIC primers）和添加更高的 计算能力。通过经济实惠的多功能 Opentron OT-2液体处理机器人，在单向测序工作流程中，将有利于 实验室通过增加吞吐量;提高样品的一致性;最大限度地减少污染; 腾出动手时间;减少技术人员的紧张和疲劳;并最大限度地减少技术错误。 安装一个专门用于测序和生物信息学的高端计算机工作站将 显著加快碱基识别过程和SARS-CoV-2菌株鉴定。这 设备提案有三个具体目标。1)购买并安装Opentron OT-2液体 新NDSU-VDL测序实验室部分的搬运机器人保持单向 下一代测序（NGS）工作流程，将污染降至最低。NDSU-VDL 熟悉OT-2机器人的操作和动手图书馆准备。2)编写一个定制 OT-2机器人的Python脚本协议，用于自动执行NEBNext的库准备步骤 ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 Companion Kit for Oxford Nanopore Technologies（MinION）测序仪。 该脚本将通过protocol.io和/或github免费提供给OT-2用户。第三章 购买并安装高端计算机工作站，以运行MinION测序仪，完成 用于SARS-CoV-2伴侣动物的下游生物信息学分析 样本（即猫和犬呼吸道拭子）。

SUMMARY The overall goal of this project is to purchase equipment that will increase capacity and speed up the library prep workflow and whole genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in companion animals by implementing an automated library prep process (NEBNext® ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 Companion Kit with ARTIC primers) and adding higher computing capabilities. Automating the library prep process with an affordable and versatile Opentron OT-2 liquid handling robot, in a one-way sequencing workflow, will benefit the laboratory by increasing throughput; improving sample consistency; minimizing contamination; freeing up hands-on time; reducing technician strain and fatigue; and minimize tech errors. Installation of a high-end computer workstation dedicated to sequencing and bioinformatics will significantly speed up the basecalling process and SARS-CoV-2 strain identification. This equipment proposal has three specific aims. 1) Purchase and install an Opentron OT-2 liquid handling robot in the new NDSU-VDL Sequencing Laboratory Section to maintain a one-way next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflow that will minimize contamination. The NDSU-VDL is familiar with the operation of OT-2 robots and hands-on library preparation. 2) Write a custom protocol in Python script for the OT-2 robot to automate the library prep steps for the NEBNext ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 Companion Kit for Oxford Nanopore Technologies (MinION) sequencers. The script will be made freely available to OT-2 users through protocol.io and/or github. 3) Purchase and install a high-end computer workstation to run MinION sequencers, complete basecalling, and for downstream bioinformatic analyses on SARS-CoV-2 companion animal samples (i.e. feline and canine respiratory swabs).