Biopharmaceutical adapter KAPA Adapters

R&D

Overview
KAPA Adapters are full-length and truncated ligation adapters for NGS library construction of DNA and RNA, compatible with Illumina sequencing platforms. They enable flexible multiplexing and reduce index mis-assignment using unique dual-index (UDI) schemes and optional UMIs, with configurations supporting up to 384-plex.

Adapter types

• Full-length adapters: KAPA UDI Adapters — intended for PCR-free sample preparation; supply non-redundant unique dual-index (UDI) combinations, provided at 15 µM.
• Truncated adapters: KAPA Universal Adapter and KAPA Universal UMI Adapter — provide expanded index capacity and optional UMIs; supplied at 15 µM (Universal) and 33 µM (Universal UMI).
• KAPA UDI Primer Mixes: Preformatted primer plates covering index sets 1–384 for use with Universal adapters; validated for UMI and non‑UMI workflows.

Key benefits

• Index-misassignment mitigation: Unique dual-indexing allows filtering of unexpected barcode pairs prior to analysis, reducing index hopping artifacts.
• Sequencing-based QC and controlled manufacturing to minimize barcode cross-contamination.
• Consistent conversion across fragmentation methods (Covaris shearing and enzymatic fragmentation) for robust library performance.
• Compatibility with PCR-free human whole-genome sequencing workflows when used with KAPA EvoPrep and KAPA EvoPlus V2 kits.
• Flexible multiplexing from low-plex up to 384-plex depending on adapter and primer-mix configuration.

Recommended workflow use

• Ligation-based NGS library construction for DNA and RNA.
• PCR-free library preparation workflows when used with KAPA UDI Adapters and validated KAPA kits.
• High-throughput sequencing projects requiring index-hopping mitigation and confident sample demultiplexing.

KAPA adapters comparison overview (summary)
Number of UDIs: 96 (KAPA UDI Adapters) / 384 (KAPA Universal Adapter / KAPA Universal UMI Adapter)
Number of 8-nt non-redundant P5 + P7 barcodes: 96+96 / 384+384 / 384+384
Barcodes identical to Illumina-supplied adapters: No / No / No
Recommended for Illumina instruments (patterned or non-patterned flow cells): Yes / Yes / Yes
PCR-free library preparation (molecular barcoded): No / No / No
Validated for KAPA EvoPrep Kit, KAPA EvoPlus V2 Kit: Validated / Compatible / Compatible
Validated for KAPA RNA EvoPrep Kit: Validated / Validated / Compatible
Compatible with KAPA Universal Enhancing Oligos: Yes / Yes / Yes
Adapter formulation: Full-length ready-to-use 15 µM (4 reactions/adapter) / Truncated ready-to-use 15 µM (1 reaction/adapter) / Truncated ready-to-use 33 µM (1 reaction/adapter)
Kit configuration: Hard-shell 96-well plate with automation-friendly labeling, overfills and replacement seals (KAPA UDI Adapters) / Adapter tubes and 96-well primer mix plates with automation-friendly labeling and overage for Universal/UMI variants
KAPA Adapter Dilution Buffer included: Yes (25 mL per KAPA UDI kit) / Not included for truncated adapters

Performance and QC notes

• Sequencing-based in-house QC assays test barcode cross-contamination by ligating each UDI to a unique synthetic insert, pooling and sequencing libraries, and evaluating read distribution per barcode-insert pair.
• Non-redundant UDIs substantially reduce apparent contamination attributable to index hopping compared with single indexing.
• Internal data demonstrate reduced contamination rates and uniform conversion/coverage versus alternative library preparation methods.

Technical specifications

• Product family: KAPA adapters and accessories.
• Adapter options: KAPA UDI Adapters (full-length, 15 µM), KAPA Universal Adapter (truncated, 15 µM), KAPA Universal UMI Adapter (truncated, 33 µM).
• UDI combinations: 96 (KAPA UDI Adapters) or up to 384 (Universal / UMI with primer mixes).
• Barcode format: 8-nt non-redundant P5 + P7 barcodes.
• Kit configuration: Hard-shell 96-well plates and adapter tubes with automation-friendly labeling and overage where applicable.
• Included consumables: KAPA Adapter Dilution Buffer (25 mL) included with KAPA UDI kits; not included with truncated adapters.
• Intended instruments: Illumina sequencing instruments (patterned and non-patterned flow cells).
• Validated applications: DNA and RNA NGS library preparation; PCR-free human WGS when used with KAPA EvoPrep / KAPA EvoPlus V2 kits; RNA EvoPrep compatibility as indicated.