AllType™ Rapid
In H&I, molecular typing has undergone regular transformation due to changing requirements for speed, precision, and flexibility. This is reflected in our history, with the end of the PCR-SSP era moving labs towards Luminex-based rSSO, the advent of rapid qPCR assays, and now the shift towards NGS-based techniques. One Lambda™ continues to meet these challenges head-on through the evolution of new and improved molecular kits.
In this blog, we explore three key product innovations: AllType™ Rapid, HybriType™, and the enhancements to the LABType™ CWD kits. Each has been designed with a distinct application in mind, whether it be rapid decision-making in transplant scenarios, extended typing needs, or improving assay resolution.
AllType™ Rapid
AllType™ Rapid represents a major leap forward in NGS HLA typing, utilising Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ (ONT) MinION device; a powerful portable instrument capable of real-time long-read sequencing, enabling fully phased genotyping that eliminates those cis-trans allele ambiguities commonly found in short-read systems. With AllType™ Rapid, labs can type all 11 classical HLA loci (HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB345, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1 and DPB1) using a single multiplex PCR. However, the most remarkable aspect of this assay is its speed, with single-sample workflows completed in less than four and a half hours, while multi-sample batches (of up to 24 samples) can be processed in less than 11 hours. This makes it particularly suitable for time-sensitive applications such as solid organ deceased donor typing or urgent transplant matching. In addition to its rapid turnaround, AllType™ Rapid offers a simple workflow with minimal hands-on time, supporting efficiency in busy lab settings and reducing technical issues in out-of-hours situations.
HybriType™
While AllType™ Rapid addresses the need for urgent, high-resolution typing with full phasing, HybriType™ offers a different kind of versatility through offering high-resolution typing of all 11 classical HLA loci, as well as 7 non-classical MHC genes (HLA-E, F, G, H, J, MICA, and MICB). However, unlike the other One Lambda™ NGS kits (AllType™ and AllType™ FASTplex) where library preparation follows long-range PCR amplicon generation, HybriType™ uses hybrid-bead capture: reducing bias sometimes seen in traditional PCR amplification, as well as ensuring uniform sequencing with balanced coverage. Note: this even applies to DNA obtained from more challenging buccal swab samples. Additionally the kit is modular meaning optional add-on targets can be included in the same sequencing reaction: at present, ABO blood group sequencing is available with additional genes/systems to be released in the future. HybriType™ is therefore particularly well-suited for laboratories that are looking for both accuracy and the flexibility to tailor the assay to their needs. The kits are compatible with common Illumina benchtop sequencers including the MiSeq, iSeq, and MiniSeq, and only requires five and a half hours of assay time before proceeding to sequencing. This means HybriType™ is not only modular but fast, allowing labs to expand or contract the gene panel depending on whether their immediate focus is on routine typing, population studies, or immunogenetic research.
LABType™ CWD
The third innovation, LABType CWD, addresses the ongoing need for accurate and efficient solid-phase genotyping. Existing LABType™ CWD products for HLA-A, B, C and DRB1 have been enhanced to improve resolution to reflect the more recent Common, Intermediate, and Well-Documented (CIWD) v3.0.0 allele list, ensuring that typing results correspond to the frequencies and allele expression observed in real-world populations (Hurley et al., 2020). This makes LABType™ CWD ideal for donor registry typing, confirmatory genotyping, or situations where high-throughput capacity is essential. The workflow takes advantage of the extended bead regions offered by the Luminex® FLEXMAP 3D (LABScan3D™) instrument (capable of detecting up to 500 distinct bead populations), generating intermediate-resolution typing results within two to three hours; especially valuable for labs where automation and scalability are priorities. To enhance analysis, CIWD allele filters are now incorporated into the downstream HLA Fusion™ analysis software.
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Collectively, these systems build on the comprehensive molecular suite in One Lambda’s portfolio so that it can cover the full gamut of typing technologies; PCR-SSP, qPCR, and rSSO technologies, as well as three different NGS methodologies (amplicon-based, hybrid bead capture, and long-read ONT); something no other competitor has done. Each technology or method is a testament to the changing landscape of HLA typing, where no single method can meet all the demands of clinical, registry and research settings. By offering so many different modalities, One Lambda™ ensures that labs can select the most appropriate tool from the arsenal for their specific needs without compromising on quality or accuracy. As a bonus, all NGS HLA typing is analysed using the same piece of software, TypeStream™ Visual, minimising the training burden for scientists since labs can reflex-test using alternative NGS methods but still analyse in the familiar TSV environment for direct comparison.
In summary of the new products: AllType™ Rapid is tailored for urgent, real-time needs by delivering phased results quickly, HybriType™ is ideal for labs that need flexibility, extended loci coverage, and reduced amplification bias, while the enhanced LABType™ CWD product provides a significant quality-of-life improvement to the earlier version; a robust and fast rSSO-based typing solution. As molecular testing continues to evolve, these innovations enable labs to tailor their strategies to improve patient outcomes and drive immunogenetic research forward.
Get in touch with me or one of the other specialists in our Transplant Technical team if you’d like to learn more!
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