FFPE DNA poses many challenges for library preparation, including low input amounts and highly variable damage from fixation, storage, and extraction methods. Regions of interest are often enriched using hybrid capture-based approaches, and these workflows require a high input of diverse, uniform DNA library.
The NEBNext Ultrashear™ FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit incorporates enzymatic fragmentation of FFPE DNA using NEBNext UltraShear, a new enzyme mix optimized for use with FFPE DNA that increases library yields and quality, while improving scalability and ease of use. The kit also repairs damage to DNA caused by the FFPE process and includes reagents and a protocol optimized for library prep of FFPE DNA. The workflow is streamlined and user-friendly, with minimal hands-on time, and the kit improves yields and quality of libraries from a range of FFPE DNA sample input (5-250 ng) and quality.
View or download extensive performance data in our Data Supplement.
Includes specialized enzymatic fragmentation and FFPE DNA repair reagents, plus optimized library prep reagents and protocol
Increased library yields
Improved sequencing metrics
Greater sensitivity of somatic variant calling
5-250 ng input range
Automation-friendly workflow
For FFPE DNA library prep without enzymatic fragmentation, the NEBNext FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit (NEB #E6650) is available.
View or download extensive performance data in our Data Supplement.
FFPE DNA is often compromised in quality and quantity and is challenging for library prep and sequencing, including in target enrichment workflows that require high amounts of library input. The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit addresses these challenges and improves ease of workflow and scalability:
Repairs FFPE-induced damage using the NEBNext FFPE DNA Repair Mix v2
Incorporates specialized enzymatic DNA fragmentation using NEBNext UltraShear
Uses NEBNext Ultra II library prep reagents in a protocol optimized for FFPE DNA
Robustly amplifies libraries using NEBNext MSTC™ FFPE Master Mix
High library yields, sufficient for input into target enrichment workflows
User-friendly workflow with minimal hands-on time and multiple safe stopping points
The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit reduces damage from deamination and oxidation due to the fixation, storage, and extraction process for FFPE DNA samples, thereby reducing false positive variant calls.
The combination of specialized enzymatic FFPE DNA fragmentation and repair with optimized reagents and protocols provides superior performance with this challenging sample type.
For FFPE DNA library prep without enzymatic fragmentation, the NEBNext FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit (NEB #E6650) is available.
The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit has a streamlined workflow with minimal hands-on time across a range of inputs from 5-250 ng. The protocol has been optimized for the user to safely store the reaction after any step in the workflow overnight at -20°C without affecting library yield or quality.
FIGURE 2: The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit enables robust library preparation from a range of sample inputs and quality
Libraries were prepared from 5, 50, or 250 ng of normal tissue FFPE DNA ranging in quality from DNA Integrity Number (DIN) 1.8 to 6.8, with the indicated PCR cycles. Libraries were prepared in triplicate for 5 ng and 50 ng input and 1 replicate for 250 ng. Each bar represents the average of triplicates with error bars indicating standard deviation for the 5 and 50 ng inputs. Robust library yields were obtained across sample qualities and input amounts. Most target enrichment workflows require a 200 ng library for hybrid capture input. Sufficient library yield can be obtained using a minimum of 50 ng FFPE DNA with the NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit.
FIGURE 3: The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit improves library quality
Libraries were prepared in duplicate from 100 ng of low quality, normal tissue FFPE DNA (DIN 1.8) and 9 PCR cycles, using the NEBNext UltraShear™ FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit. Results were compared to other enzymatic fragmentation-based library prep kits that have been validated for use with FFPE samples, using each vendor’s own recommended adaptors (IDT® xGen® EZ UNI, Kapa EvoPlus® Library Prep Kit, QuantaBio® sparQ DNA Library Prep Kit, and Twist Library Preparation EF 2.0 kit). Libraries were sequenced on the Illumina® NovaSeq®6000 (2 x 100 base reads) and downsampled to 5 million paired-end reads. Reads were mapped using Bowtie2 (version 2.3.2.2) to the GRCh38 reference and duplicates were marked using Picard MarkDuplicates (version 1.56.0). Library quality metrics were assessed using Picard Alignment Summary Metrics (version 1.56.0). The level of foldback reads was calculated using Seq_frag_remap (version 0.2). The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit improves library quality by reducing the percentage of unmapped, chimeric, non-properly paired, and foldback reads.
FIGURE 4: The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit reduces sequencing artifacts
Libraries were prepared in duplicate from 100 ng of low quality, normal tissue FFPE DNA (DIN 1.8) and 9 PCR cycles, using the NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit. Results were compared to other enzymatic fragmentation-based library prep kits that have been validated for use with FFPE samples, with each vendor’s own recommended adaptors (IDT xGen EZ UNI, Kapa EvoPlus Library Prep Kit, QuantaBio sparQ DNA Library Prep Kit, and Twist Library Preparation EF 2.0 kit). Libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (2 x 100 base reads) and downsampled to 5 million paired-end reads. Reads were mapped using Bowtie2 (version 2.3.2.2) to the GRCh38 reference and duplicates marked using Picard MarkDuplicates (version 1.56.0). The average frequency of C→T mutations at each C position (A) and G→T mutations at each G position (B) in Read 1 and 2 was calculated for two technical replicates using Tasmanian (version 1.0.7). C→T mutations arising from cytosine deamination and G→T mutations arising from oxidative damage in low quality FFPE DNA are effectively repaired by the NEBNext FFPE DNA Repair v2 Mix in the NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit. Other kits show a high level of C→T and G→T artifacts in low quality FFPE DNA due to a lack of DNA damage repair.
FIGURE 5: The NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit enables superior on-target coverage in hybrid capture sequencing
Libraries were prepared in duplicate from 100 ng of low quality, normal tissue FFPE DNA (DIN 1.8) and 9 PCR cycles, using the NEBNext UltraShear™ FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit. Results were compared to other enzymatic fragmentation-based library prep kits that have been validated for use with FFPE samples, with each vendor’s own recommended adaptors (IDT xGen EZ UNI, Kapa EvoPlus Library Prep Kit, QuantaBio sparQ DNA Library Prep Kit, and Twist Library Preparation EF 2.0 kit). The full library yield was used in singleplex target enrichment with a custom cancer panel (Twist Bioscience®) and libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (2 x 100 base reads). 15 million paired-end reads were trimmed with Fastp (version 0.20.0) and mapped with BWA mem (version 0.7.17) to the T2T reference. Duplicates were marked using Picard MarkDuplicates (version 2.20.6) with UMI. Target enrichment quality metrics were assessed using Picard HS Metrics (version 2.18.29). The improved yield, coverage, and fraction of usable reads observed in NEBNext UltraShear FFPE DNA Library Prep Kit whole genome sequencing (WGS) libraries correlates to improved coverage, on-target rate, and coverage uniformity in target enrichment libraries.
This product is related to the following categories:
Quality Control tests are performed on each new lot of NEB product to meet the specifications designated for it. Specifications and individual lot data from the tests that are performed for this particular product can be found and downloaded on the Product Specification Sheet, Certificate of Analysis, data card or product manual. Further information regarding NEB product quality can be found here.
Specifications & Change Notifications
The Specification sheet is a document that includes the storage temperature, shelf life and the specifications designated for the product. The following file naming structure is used to name these document files: [Product Number]_[Size]_[Version]
The Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a signed document that includes the storage temperature, expiration date and quality controls for an individual lot. The following file naming structure is used to name these document files: [Product Number]_[Size]_[Version]_[Lot Number]
Products and content are covered by one or more patents, trademarks and/or copyrights owned or controlled by New England Biolabs, Inc (NEB). The use of trademark symbols does not necessarily indicate that the name is trademarked in the country where it is being read; it indicates where the content was originally developed. The use of this product may require the buyer to obtain additional third-party intellectual property rights for certain applications. For more information, please email busdev@neb.com.
This product is intended for research purposes only. This product is not intended to be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in humans or animals.
New England Biolabs (NEB) is committed to practicing ethical science – we believe it is our job as researchers to ask the important questions that when answered will help preserve our quality of life and the world that we live in. However, this research should always be done in safe and ethical manner. Learn more.
Based on your Freezer Program type, you are trying to add a product to your cart that is either not allowed or not allowed with the existing contents of your cart. Please review and update your order accordingly If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at freezers@neb.com or 1-800-632-5227 x 8.
Help us celebrate our 50th anniversary! We have hidden 1,000 golden butterflies and are waiting for you to find them. They can be anywhere that you find NEB! Beginning April 15th, be sure to visit our website and tables at tradeshows and events you are attending. Visit our social media channels frequently for tips on where we have hidden the butterflies – and once you find one, either click or scan the code to be eligible for a 50th anniversary prize pack, as well as a grand prize trip to NEB headquarters in Ipswich, MA!.
You have been idle for more than 20 minutes, for your security you have been logged out. Please sign back in to continue your session.
Institution Changed
Your profile has been mapped to an Institution, please sign back for your profile updates to be completed.
Sign in to your NEB account
To save your cart and view previous orders, sign in to your NEB account. Adding products to your cart without being signed in will result in a loss of your cart when you do sign in or leave the site.
Need a custom/large volume order? Contact us
Want to try this product? Request a sample
