Lunatic Genomics Quantification

Importance of the Topic

Accurate and high-throughput quantification of nucleic acids is essential for genomics, diagnostics, and QC workflows. Traditional UV/Vis and dye-based assays often require calibration curves, sample dilutions, and are prone to contamination or signal saturation. The Lunatic instrument overcomes these challenges by delivering rapid, dye-free DNA/RNA measurement in a microplate format with minimal sample consumption.

Aims and Overview

This whitepaper presents the Lunatic system, engineered to simplify nucleic acid quality control by offering a streamlined workflow, an expansive dynamic range, and exceptional reproducibility across instruments and laboratories.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

• Sample input: 2 µL per well on standard SBS 96-well plates.
• Microfluidic circuits with two fixed path lengths (0.1 mm and 0.7 mm) to span 0.03–275 OD (10 mm equivalent).
• Xenon flash lamp light source and UV/Vis polychromatic spectrophotometer detector covering 230–750 nm.
• Connectivity via USB or TCP/IP with API support for full automation and liquid‐handler integration.

Main Results and Discussion

• Dynamic range for dsDNA: 1.5–13 750 ng/µL without dilution; achieved linearity R² > 0.999 and mean recovery within 99–101%.
• Precision ≤1% CV and accuracy within ±2% across low and high nucleic acid concentrations.
• Inter- and intra-instrument variation consistently under 3% error, facilitating standardization across labs.
• Compared to PicoGreen assays, Lunatic matches sensitivity at low concentrations and extends measurement capacity at high concentrations without signal saturation.
• Unmix application differentiates nucleic acids from proteins and other contaminants using full-spectrum deconvolution.
• Plasma QC app quantifies hemoglobin, bilirubin, total protein, and turbidity directly from raw UV/Vis spectra.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High-throughput measurement of up to 96 samples in 5–10 minutes, enabling rapid QC cycles.
• Minimal sample volume preserves valuable extracts for downstream applications.
• No dyes or external standards reduces reagent costs and simplifies workflows.
• Seamless automation via robotics and API minimizes hands-on time and human error.
• Designed for regulated environments with 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and built-in pharmacopeia verification against NIST-traceable standards.

Future Trends and Applications

The combination of microfluidics, fixed pathlength optics, and full-spectrum analysis will drive broader adoption in clinical diagnostics, large-scale genomics centers, and biopharmaceutical QC labs. Future enhancements may include expanded multi-analyte assays, integrated data analytics, and deeper automation for end-to-end sample processing.

Conclusion

Lunatic delivers a robust, automated solution for nucleic acid quantification, offering rapid throughput, a wide dynamic range, and exceptional reproducibility. Its dye-free, plate-based approach simplifies QC workflows and supports regulatory compliance, making it a valuable asset for modern genomics and quality control laboratories.

Reference

Unchained Labs. Lunatic System Whitepaper. Rev B, 2022.