The race to reduce plastic waste in scientific laboratories is on, and it's a critical challenge for the future of our planet. The life sciences sector, in particular, is a major contributor to this environmental crisis, generating over five million tons of plastic waste annually. This is a staggering figure, and it's time we take a closer look at one of the key areas driving this waste: NGS library preparation. This process, a cornerstone of modern genetics, is a major culprit in the plastic waste crisis. The traditional approach to NGS library prep involves a series of steps that are not only redundant but also highly wasteful. The process includes quantification, normalization, and SPRI cleanups, each of which consumes a significant amount of plastic and reagents. The issue is further exacerbated by the use of fixed-cycle PCR, which lacks a stop signal, leading to over- and under-amplification of samples. This, in turn, triggers a cascade of downstream correction actions, each of which adds to the plastic waste problem. The solution lies in protocol miniaturization, a strategy that aims to reduce reaction volumes and eliminate unnecessary steps. This approach can minimize sample consumption, reagent costs, and plastic waste by over 80%. One of the most promising candidates for redesign is NGS library preparation, particularly the PCR amplification and normalization phase. The hidden waste in standard NGS library prep is often overlooked, but it's a significant issue. For example, a single 96-sample batch requires 96 additional individual library quantifications, 96 individual clean-up procedures, and dozens of normalization steps, all of which produce plastic and reagent waste. Qubit quantification is another layer of concealed waste, requiring 200 µL of fluorometric reagent per sample and generating another round of tubes and tips for the bin. The icon96 thermocycler, however, offers a revolutionary solution. It uses iconPCR™ technology and AutoNorm™ software to control amplification at the source, eliminating the need for downstream corrections. This technology uses real-time fluorescence monitoring to autonomously halt each reaction at its ideal endpoint, ensuring that samples requiring more amplification receive more cycles, and those requiring less receive fewer. The result is a plate of naturally balanced, normalized libraries generated during the PCR process, eliminating the need for individual post-PCR quantification or normalization processes. The benefits of icon96 are significant. It reduces workflow touchpoints, eliminates pipette tips and reagent tubes, reduces hands-on time, and lowers consumable costs by 40-60%. One study found that employing icon96 for Ultima Genomics workflows reduced the use of consumables, tips, tubes, and 96-well plates by more than 95% compared with standard processing methods, and it was also quicker. The icon16, a compact instrument for smaller-batch labs, uses the same AutoNorm technology and offers a similar level of efficiency and sustainability. The genomics community is increasingly focusing on downsizing and automation as key levers of sustainable lab practice. Scaling down reaction volumes and eliminating superfluous manual procedures can significantly reduce plastic use, CO2 emissions, reagent prices, and the energy footprint of running additional instruments. For example, Alithea Genomics discovered that multiplexed transcriptomic workflows can reduce plastic use by up to 95% through early sample pooling, a principle that underpins icon96's design. Icon96 is interoperable with conventional automated liquid-handling platforms and uses standard reagents, making it a versatile and accessible solution for sustainable NGS operations. Importantly, icon96 does not compromise on sustainability or data quality. Fewer steps mean fewer failure modes, and fewer cleanups mean less sample loss. AutoNorm's per-well adaptive control results in improved library balance, fewer sequencing reruns, and reduced unused sequencing capacity. As Dr. Anja Mezger at SciLifeLab noted, iconPCR will help streamline processes by eliminating QC and normalization steps, while also improving data quality by preventing over-amplification of samples. The bottom line is that labs working toward more sustainable workflows should not have to choose between environmental responsibility and scientific success. Icon96 and icon16 address the core cause of NGS library prep waste: unregulated PCR amplification. By enjoying fewer steps, less waste, and better data, scientists can make a significant contribution to the fight against plastic waste while maintaining the integrity of their research.
