At the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) General Meeting 2026, Volta Labs, a leader in next-generation sequencing (NGS) automation, has launched the Callisto Complete Kit for DNA EF Library Prep, a fully automated, PCR-free workflow for whole genome sequencing.

 

The new solution combines Watchmaker Genomics’ high-performance NGS chemistry with Volta’s digital fluidics platform, enabling labs to eliminate manual liquid handling, reduce operator variability, and generate reproducible, high-quality WGS libraries with minimal staffing burden.

 

As whole genome sequencing gains traction in clinical research and translational applications, PCR-free workflows are increasingly preferred to minimize amplification bias, reduce sequencing artifacts, and improve coverage in GC-rich regions. Yet these workflows demand precision and reproducibility—requirements the Callisto kit is designed to meet.

 

"We designed Callisto to make sequencing sample preparation simpler and more accessible," said Udayan Umapathi, CEO of Volta Labs. "With the Callisto Complete Kit for DNA EF Library Prep, powered by Watchmaker chemistry, labs can run PCR-free whole genome sequencing workflows in a push-button format, delivering consistent, high-quality results in a practical mid-throughput range."

 

"PCR-free whole genome sequencing demands both high-performance chemistry and workflow precision," added Trey Foskett, CEO of Watchmaker Genomics. "For clinical and translational laboratories that require push-button solutions with dependable performance but do not operate at a high-throughput scale, the Callisto Complete Kit offers a simple and streamlined path to implementing PCR-free WGS with confidence."