Twist RNA Sequencing Solutions

From RNA to Sequencing-Ready Library in 5 Hours: Whole Transcriptome, Exome and Fusion Detection in One Workflow

Twist’s RNA sequencing solutions are a connected workflow rather than a single kit. The foundation is the Twist RNA Library Prep Kit, which takes total RNA to a finished library in as little as 5 hours. Those whole transcriptome libraries can be sequenced directly for a comprehensive view of expression. They can also go into Twist target enrichment, where two RNA-focused panels concentrate your sequencing on coding regions. The Twist RNA Exome supports gene expression, isoforms, junctions and coding variants. The Twist Alliance CeGaT RNA Fusion Panel is built to find known and novel gene fusions.

The workflow accepts total RNA from 1 ng up to 1 µg, with an optional ribosomal RNA and globin depletion module for samples where unwanted RNA species would otherwise absorb your reads. You can build libraries with Twist UMIs or the Universal Adapter System (UDIs), and the exome and fusion panels are optimised for use with the Twist library prep. The workflow also suits FFPE-derived RNA, where degraded and low-quality input is the norm. As your authorised Australian and New Zealand distributor for Twist Bioscience, Decode Science can help you choose between direct whole transcriptome sequencing and an enrichment route, and support protocol selection for your samples.

Exclusive Offer for now!!

50% off 16 sample workflow kits & 50% off 96 sample kits.

Submit Your Interest

Choose Your Route: Library Prep, RNA Exome or RNA Fusion

Twist RNA Library Prep

From total RNA to sequencing-ready library in as little as 5 hours

The foundation of the workflow. Libraries can be sequenced directly for whole transcriptome analysis, or used as input into RNA Exome, RNA Fusion or custom RNA enrichment.

✓ Total RNA input from 1 ng up to 1 µg
✓ Optional rRNA and globin depletion module to remove unwanted RNA species
✓ Single-step second strand synthesis and A-tailing saves time and handling steps
✓ Twist UMIs or Universal Adapters (UDIs), followed by amplification

Best for: whole transcriptome profiling, low-input samples, blood and globin-rich samples (with depletion), and any project feeding into RNA enrichment.

Workflow at a glance: RNA fragmentation, reverse transcription to cDNA, second strand synthesis and A-tailing, adapter ligation, amplification.

Twist RNA Exome

More targets detected with fewer reads

An exon-aware enrichment panel for the human protein-coding transcriptome. Used with Twist RNA Library Prep and Twist target enrichment, it generates complex, uniform sequencing data from RNA extracted from a variety of sources, including FFPE.

✓ Targets 35.8 Mb, 19,708 genes and 63,215 isoforms
✓ Built from GENCODE and RefSeq sequences
✓ More than 1.8-fold enrichment over whole transcriptome
✓ Exon-aware probe design keeps isoforms and junctions detectable
✓ Compatible with FFPE and low RNA input

Best for: gene expression analysis, detecting low-expressing targets, isoform and junction work, coding variant identification, and projects where you want more samples per run.

Resources:

  1. Twist RNA Exome product sheet
  2. Twist RNA Exome BED file
  3. Application note: targeted RNA sequencing for variant calling from FFPE samples in NSCLC
  4. Technical note: efficient, exon-aware RNA capture for gene expression and novel fusions
  5. Poster: RNA exome panel used to enrich transcript variants using cDNA libraries

Twist Alliance CeGaT RNA Fusion Panel

A 160-gene panel for known and novel gene fusions

Gene fusions often act as oncogenic drivers across many cancer types, and detecting them quickly and accurately can inform research decisions. This RNA-based enrichment panel offers a more targeted and sensitive approach than conventional methods, and is optimised and validated with the Twist RNA Library Prep Kit.

✓ 160 fusion-associated genes across roughly 30 cancer types
✓ 66 genes in the breakpoint design, 7,394 probes
✓ Content selected by CeGaT, a European genetic diagnostics and sequencing company
✓ Designed to find novel fusions as well as known ones
✓ 3 Mb panel is ISO-13485 certified

Best for: screening oncology samples for known fusions, discovering novel fusions for tumour classification research, and combining fusion detection with expression data.

Resources:

Panel gene list
Panel fusion targets list
Technical note: efficient, exon-aware RNA capture for gene expression and novel fusions
RNA Sequencing Workflow Solutions product sheet

Why It Matters to You?

Because the Right RNA Workflow Depends on the Question You’re Asking

RNA sequencing covers everything from broad expression profiling to hunting for a single driver fusion, and the best approach differs for each. Whole transcriptome sequencing gives breadth but spends reads on abundant transcripts. Targeted enrichment concentrates coverage where it matters, so you can detect low-expressing genes, isoforms and fusions without sequencing as deeply. A single connected workflow lets you switch between these without changing library chemistry.

The Twist RNA solutions are most relevant for:

Oncology and translational research:

The fusion panel supports screening tumour samples for known and novel gene fusions across around 30 cancer types, and the exome adds expression and coding variant data from the same RNA.

High-throughput and multi-sample projects:

Needing fewer reads per sample for the same number of detected genes means more samples per run and lower sequencing cost per sample.

FFPE and archival tissue studies:

The exome and library prep are compatible with FFPE and low RNA input, where fragmented RNA makes direct whole transcriptome sequencing less efficient.

Gene expression and isoform analysis:

The exon-aware exome design keeps isoforms and junctions visible while concentrating reads on 19,708 protein-coding genes.

Chris Wicky

Clinical Genomics Manager - ANZ & Country Manager - NZ

Working with FFPE RNA, low-input samples or fusion-driven cancers?

Our team can help you match the right Twist RNA workflow to your samples and research question.

Related Products

Twist TrueAmp Library Prep Kit

High-fidelity amplification-based library prep for target enrichment and challenging low-input or FFPE samples

Twist Custom NGS Panels

Design and order target enrichment panels tailored to your gene list or genomic region of interest

Twist TrueAmp Polymerase Mix

High-fidelity, low-bias amplification for NGS libraries

Resources

Download All Resources Instantly

Unlock with quick sign up!

    FAQs

    Whole transcriptome libraries are sequenced directly and give a broad view of all RNA species. Enrichment with the RNA Exome or RNA Fusion Panel concentrates sequencing on coding regions or fusion-associated genes, so you detect low-expressing targets and fusions with fewer reads per sample.

    The library prep accepts total RNA from 1 ng up to 1 µg. Contact Decode Science for guidance on input and cycle number for your sample type.

    Yes. The RNA Exome is designed for use with FFPE and low-input RNA, and an application note covers variant calling from FFPE samples in non-small cell lung cancer. Contact us for the application note.

    Use the optional depletion module when ribosomal RNA or globin transcripts would dominate your reads, for example in whole blood samples or total RNA without prior mRNA selection. Four protocol variants cover depletion with UMI or Universal Adapters.

    UMIs are used where you want to tag individual molecules, for example to reduce duplicate and amplification artefacts in variant or expression work. UDIs support multiplexing and index-hopping control. Both are supported, and Decode Science can advise on the best choice for your project.

    The exon-aware design keeps isoform and junction detection possible, which conventional designs can lose. It is built on GENCODE and RefSeq sequences for the human transcriptome.

    It covers 160 fusion-associated genes across around 30 cancer types, with 66 genes in the breakpoint design and 7,394 probes. It detects known fusions and can identify novel ones.

    Yes. Custom RNA enrichment panels are supported alongside the fixed RNA Exome and RNA Fusion Panel. Contact Decode Science to discuss design.

    Libraries are compatible with standard Illumina platforms. Contact Decode Science for read length and depth guidance.

    Yes. These products are for research use only in ANZ.

    Protocols, the RNA Workflows and RNA Exome product sheets, and the fusion panel gene list and BED files are available from Decode Science on request.

    Talk to Us About Twist RNA Sequencing

    We only need these information to serve you better. Decode Science respects your privacy and will never spam you with unrelated content.



      Antibody EngineeringAquacultureCardiovascularCore FacilityCROsCytogeneticsDrug DiscoveryEarly stage biotechEnzyme EngineeringFood SafetyGermlineHorticulture (plant)ImmunologyInfectious DiseaseLivestockmRNA/RNANeuropathologiesNeuroscienceOncologyOncology Pre ClinicalPhysiologyProtein EngineeringRare DiseaseSoil and EnviromentalStructural BiologySynthetic BiologyTherapeuticsOther

      You agree to receive communications from Decode Science. View our Privacy Policy

      Instant Download

      Simply add your details below and get quick access to the brochure.

        You agree to receive communications from Decode Science.View Our Privacy Policy.

        Instant Download

        Simply add your details below and get quick access to the brochure.

          You agree to receive communications from Decode Science.View Our Privacy Policy.

          Instant Download

          Simply add your details below and get quick access to the brochure.

            You agree to receive communications from Decode Science.View Our Privacy Policy.

            Special October Offer

            FREE UMBRELLA