NEBNext® Ultra™ II Directional RNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina®
For use in conjunction with this kit, the NEBNext Poly(A) mRNA Magnetic Isolation Module (NEB #E7490) now has an Express protocol option for substantial time savings and a more streamlined workflow.
Note that Sample Purification beads are not included in this kit. If beads are required, we recommend ordering the NEBNext® Ultra™ II Directional RNA Library Prep with Sample Purification Beads (NEB #E7765).
Even more from less, for RNA
Do you need increased sensitivity and specificity from your RNA-seq experiments? Do you have ever-decreasing amounts of input RNA? To address these challenges, our next generation of strand-specific RNA library prep kits have been reformulated at each step, resulting in several fold higher yields of high quality libraries and enabling use of lower input amounts and fewer PCR cycles. The Ultra II Directional RNA kit uses the “dUTP method” (1, 2) for strand-specificity, and has a streamlined, automatable workflow.
The Ultra II Directional RNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina delivers significantly increased sensitivity and specificity from your RNA-seq experiments, from ever-decreasing amounts of input RNA. In conjunction with ribosomal RNA (rRNA) depletion or poly(A) enrichment, the kit enables the production of high quality libraries from 10 ng of Total RNA, respectively, up to 1 µg.
Strand-specific/directional methods for sequencing RNA provide information on the DNA strand from which the RNA strand was transcribed. This is useful for many reasons including: Identification of antisense transcripts, determination of the transcribed strand of noncoding RNA, and measurement of expression levels of coding or noncoding overlapping transcripts. Overall, the ability to determine the originating strand can substantially enhance the value of a RNA-seq experiment.
Please note that adaptors, primers, rRNA depletion reagents and poly(A) mRNA isolation reagents are not included in the kit and are available separately.
For use with NEBNext Multiplex Oligos for Illumina (Unique Dual Index UMI Adaptors RNA Set 1) (NEB #E7416), refer to the Protocols tab for UMI Adaptors-specific guidance.
LIBRARY YIELDS
Figure 1. NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA produces the highest yields, from a range of input amounts Poly(A)-containing mRNA was isolated from Human Universal Reference RNA (Agilent #740000), and libraries were made using the NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA Kit (plus the NEBNext Poly(A) mRNA Magnetic Isolation Module), Kapa Stranded mRNA-Seq Kit, Kapa mRNA HyperPrep Kit and Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA Kit. The input RNA amount and number of PCR cycles are indicated. Library yields from an average of three replicates are shown. View additional data on library yields.
GC CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
Figure 2. NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA libraries provide uniform GC content distribution, at a broad range of input amounts Poly(A)-containing mRNA was isolated from Human Universal Reference RNA (Agilent #740000), and libraries were made using the NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA Kit (plus the NEBNext Poly(A) mRNA Magnetic Isolation Module), Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA Kit, Kapa Stranded mRNA-Seq Kit and Kapa mRNA HyperPrep Kit. Libraries were sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq® 500 using paired-end mode (2x76 bp). Reads were mapped to the hg19 reference genome. GC content distribution for each library was calculated using mapped reads. Ultra II Directional RNA libraries had uniform GC content distribution across a range of input amounts, whereas for other kits the GC content distribution changed with different input amounts, indicating the introduction of input-dependent sequence bias. View additional data on library quality.
MAXIMIZING TRANSCRIPT COVERAGE
Figure 3. NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA libraries provide uniform coverage across the gene body of transcripts Poly(A)-containing mRNA was isolated from Human Universal Reference RNA (Agilent #740000), and libraries were made using the NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA Kit (plus the NEBNext Poly(A) mRNA Magnetic Isolation Module), Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA Kit, Kapa Stranded mRNA-Seq Kit and Kapa mRNA HyperPrep Kit. Libraries were sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq® 500 using paired-end mode (2x76 bp). This view of the 5´ to 3´coverage of RefSeq transcripts reveals consistent coverage for Ultra II Directional RNA libraries as input RNA is decreased from 1 μg to 10 ng. The changes apparent in other kits result from loss of coverage at the 3´ end of some transcripts. View additional data on transcript coverage.
SUPERIOR LIBRARY COMPLEXITY AT LOW INPUT AMOUNTS
Figure 4. Low input NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA libraries retain superior complexity Poly(A)-containing mRNA was isolated from Human Universal Reference RNA (Agilent #740000), and libraries were made using the NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA Kit (plus the NEBNext Poly(A) mRNA Magnetic Isolation Module), Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA Kit, Kapa Stranded mRNA-Seq Kit and Kapa mRNA HyperPrep Kit. Libraries were sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq® 500 using paired-end mode (2x76 bp). Salmon 0.4.0 was used for read mapping and quantification of all GENCODE v25 transcripts. TPM = Transcripts Per Kilobase Million. R2 values for the linear fit are shown. Correlation analysis of the transcripts indicates superior transcript expression correlation between the different inputs for Ultra II Directional RNA libraries.View additional data on library complexity.
SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE WITH FFPE RNA
Figure 5. NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA with NEBNext rRNA Depletion results in the lowest remaining ribosomal RNA levels with FFPE samples Ribosomal RNA was depleted from human adult normal liver tissue FFPE Total RNA (Biochain # R2234149. RIN 2.5) and libraries were made using NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA Kit (plus the NEBNext rRNA Depletion Kit (Human/Mouse/Rat)), Kapa Stranded RNA-Seq Kit with RiboErase, Kapa HyperPrep Kit with RiboErase, and Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA Library Prep Kit with Ribo-Zero™ Gold. Libraries were sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq® 500 using paired-end mode (2x76 bp). Read pairs were assessed to be rRNA if they contain 6 or more 32 base matches to 18S, 28S, 5S, 5.8S, 16S or 12S human rRNA sequences (mirabait 4.9). Percent rRNA remaining was calculated by dividing rRNA reads by the total number of reads passing instrument quality filtering. Average percent rRNA remaining is shown for three replicates. The NEBNext rRNA Depletion Ultra II Directional RNA workflow is the most efficient in removing rRNA from total FFPE RNA.
Figure 6. Uniformity of Coverage across the AP000769.1-201 transcript Ribosomal RNA was depleted from human adult normal liver tissue FFPE Total RNA (Biochain # R2234149. RIN 2.5), and libraries were made using NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA Kit (plus the NEBNext rRNA Depletion Kit (Human/Mouse/Rat)), Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA Library Prep Kit with Ribo-Zero™ Gold, Kapa Stranded RNA-Seq Kit with RiboErase and Kapa HyperPrep Kit with RiboErase. Libraries were sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq® 500 using paired-end mode (2x76 bp). Coverage across the length of this individual transcript (ENST00000625158.1; AP000769.1-201) was assessed by mapping reads directly to the GENCODE v25 transcripts and examining 100 bins along the transcript length. NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA libraries provided coverage across the entire length of the transcript even as input was decreased from 100 ng to 10 ng. View additional data on FFPE RNA samples.
This product is related to the following categories:
Use this tool to find citations related to NEBNext products. Search by product, keyword or instrument name – use the filters to select specific product areas.
Additional Citations
Butler, D.J. et al. (2020) Shotgun transcriptome and isothermal profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals unique host responses, viral diversification, and drug interactions bioRxiv; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.20.048066
Quality, Safety & Legal
Quality Control Assays
Quality Control tests are performed on each new lot of NEB product to meet the specifications designated for it. Specifications and individual lot data from the tests that are performed for this particular product can be found and downloaded on the Product Specification Sheet, Certificate of Analysis, data card or product manual. Further information regarding NEB product quality can be found here.
Specifications & Change Notifications
The Specification sheet is a document that includes the storage temperature, shelf life and the specifications designated for the product. The following file naming structure is used to name these document files: [Product Number]_[Size]_[Version]
The Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a signed document that includes the storage temperature, expiration date and quality controls for an individual lot. The following file naming structure is used to name these document files: [Product Number]_[Size]_[Version]_[Lot Number]
Products and content are covered by one or more patents, trademarks and/or copyrights owned or controlled by New England Biolabs, Inc (NEB). The use of trademark symbols does not necessarily indicate that the name is trademarked in the country where it is being read; it indicates where the content was originally developed. The use of this product may require the buyer to obtain additional third-party intellectual property rights for certain applications. For more information, please email busdev@neb.com.
This product is intended for research purposes only. This product is not intended to be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in humans or animals.
New England Biolabs (NEB) is committed to practicing ethical science – we believe it is our job as researchers to ask the important questions that when answered will help preserve our quality of life and the world that we live in. However, this research should always be done in safe and ethical manner. Learn more.
Licenses
This product is licensed for research and commercial use from Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., under U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,627,424, 7,541,170, 7,670,808, 7,666,645, and corresponding patents in other countries. No rights are granted for use of the product for Digital PCR or real-time PCR applications, with the exception of quantification in Next Generation Sequencing workflows.
This product and its use are the subject of one or more issued and/or pending U.S. and foreign patent applications owned by Max Planck Gesellschaft. The purchase of this product from New England Biolabs, Inc., its affiliates, or its authorized resellers and distributors conveys to the buyer the non-transferable right to use the purchased amount of the product and components of the product in research conducted by the buyer (whether the buyer is an academic or for profit entity) or for limited commercial purposes that are pre-approved by New England Biolabs, Inc. The purchase of this product does not convey a license under any claims in the foregoing patents or patent applications directed to producing the product. The buyer cannot sell or otherwise transfer this product or its components to a third party or otherwise use this product for the following COMMERCIAL PURPOSES: (1) use of the products or its components in manufacturing; (2) use of the product or its components for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes in humans or animals.
For additional information or to inquire about commercial use, please contact busdev@neb.com.
Limited Use Label License: This product and its use are the subject of one or more issued and/or pending U.S. and foreign patent applications owned by Max Planck Gesellschaft. The purchase of this product from New England Biolabs, Inc., its affiliates, or its authorized resellers and distributors conveys to the buyer the non-transferable right to use the purchased amount of the product and components of the product in research conducted by the buyer (whether the buyer is an academic or for profit entity) or for limited commercial purposes that are pre-approved by New England Biolabs, Inc. The purchase of this product does not convey a license under any claims in the foregoing patents or patent applications directed to producing the product. The buyer cannot sell or otherwise transfer this product or its components to a third party or otherwise use this product for the following COMMERCIAL PURPOSES: (1) use of the products or its components in manufacturing; (2) use of the product or its components for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes in humans or animals.
Trademarks
KAPA® is a registered trademark of Kapa Biosystems ILLUMINA®, TRUSEQ®, NEXTSEQ® and RIBO-ZERO® are registered trademarks of Illumina, Inc. AGILENT® is a registered trademark of Agilent Technologies SPRISELECT® and AMPURE® are registered trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Want to try this product? Request a sample
Need a custom/large volume order? Contact us
