• 25 Nov 2025
• Admin
• News Article

SPT Labtech and PacBio Automate Full-Length RNA-Seq to Power Large-Scale Transcriptomics

SPT Labtech has announced a new collaboration with Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) to automate the Kinnex full-length RNA-seq library preparation on SPT Labtech’s firefly liquid handling platform. The goal: increase reproducibility, scalability, and efficiency in large-scale transcriptomic studies.

Why This Collaboration Matters?

Preparing RNA-seq libraries manually is slow and can introduce variation. Even small inconsistencies affect downstream data quality—especially in large-scale population studies.

By integrating PacBio’s Kinnex full-length RNA kit onto the firefly platform, researchers can now run a walk-away, automated workflow that standardizes library preparation from start to finish.

This automation is already validated at the Seattle Children’s Genomics & Spatial Biology CoLab, which is supporting the 1000 Genomes Long Read Sequencing Project.

Key Benefits of the Automated Workflow

The firefly–Kinnex integration delivers several advantages critical for high-throughput studies:

• Up to 80% less hands-on time: Manual pipetting drops dramatically, giving researchers more time for analysis and study design.
• Improved consistency: User-to-user and day-to-day variability is minimized.
• High scalability: Labs can generate full-length transcript data at higher throughput to support population-scale genomics initiatives.

Real-World Impact: Supporting Isoform Discovery at Scale

At Seattle Children’s Genomics and Spatial Biology CoLab, the automated workflow is already being used for high-throughput isoform discovery.

Because it uses the same chemistry as the 1000 Genomes long-read effort, the workflow seamlessly extends into projects that examine transcript diversity across global populations.

What Leaders from Both Companies Are Saying

Morten Frost, Chief Commercial Officer, SPT Labtech

“Our collaboration with PacBio is all about empowering the researcher. By integrating leading chemistry with the firefly platform, we provide a validated solution that guarantees quality and scalability. This is about pushing the boundaries of transcriptomic science.”

David Miller, VP of Marketing, PacBio

“Long-read RNA sequencing offers the most complete view of the transcriptome. Automating Kinnex on firefly makes it dramatically easier for labs to adopt full-length RNA workflows, improving consistency and speeding up discovery.”

About SPT Labtech

SPT Labtech builds compact, user-friendly automation tools that accelerate genomics research. Their platforms, including the flagship firefly, combine pipetting, dispensing, incubation, and workflow control in one benchtop system—ideal for NGS library preparation and other complex protocols.

Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders like PacBio, SPT Labtech ensures its automation systems are validated across leading genomic chemistries. This strengthens its position as a key enabler of high-throughput, cost-effective, and reproducible genomics workflows.