SIMPLIFY & REDUCE THE COST OF HYBRIDIZATION-BASED TARGET CAPTURE WITH UNIVERSAL BLOCKERS
NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers
- Effective in blocking single-index or dual-index libraries
- Compatible with all NEXTFLEX® barcodes and all other ligation-based and tagmentation-based workflows for Illumina® sequencing
- Simplifies and reduces the cost of target capture without sacrificing performance
- 96 barcode blockers available
NOVA-5143231
$100
8 RXNS
NOVA-5143232
$209
48 RXNS
NOVA-5143233
$328
96 RXNS
Improve the Number of On-Target Reads
During target enrichment, adapters can interact with the complementary adapter sequence strand of another library molecule. The NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers are designed to prevent concatemerization of library molecules. By blocking this complementary adapter sequence interaction, the number of on-target reads improves dramatically and the depth of enrichment increases.
One Set of Blockers for All Applications
The NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers are designed for use with indexed adapters for Illumina® sequencing platforms. They are effective in blocking single-indexed or dual-indexed libraries, without being affected by index length or the presence of a unique molecular index (UMI).

Figure1. NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers (UB) work from 0-19 bp unblocked regions (barcodes and/or UMIs). Competitor A1- and A-3 are two separate products from Competitor A.

Figure2. NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers can block Illumina® TruSeq™ or Nextera™-style libraries. Competitor A1- and A-2 are two separate products from Competitor A.
The NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers are compatible with ligation-based workflows, such as NEXTFLEX® or Illumina® TruSeq™ library prep kits, and with any libraries prepared with NEXTFLEX® DNA Barcodes, NEXTFLEX-96™ DNA Barcodes, NEXTFLEX HT™ Barcodes, NEXTFLEX® Dual-Index Barcodes and NEXTFLEX® Unique Dual Index Barcodes.
They are also compatible with tagmentation-based workflows, such as Illumina® Nextera™ library prep kits.
KIT CONTENTS
- NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers
FAQs
Why blockers are necessary?
Adapter sequences are part of all libraries. Each strand of these adapter sequences can hybridize with the complementary adapter sequence strand of another library molecule during the enrichment hybridization, creating a “daisy-chain” effect between off-target library molecules and the on-target library molecules that are the intended targets of the capture probe set.
What is the mechanism of the NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers?
The NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers prevent this interaction by binding to both strands of a library molecule, in both adapters. The design of the oligos make them not affected by index length or the presence of UMI.
The NEXTFLEX® Universal Blockers kits contain enough materials to prepare 8, 48, or 96 hybridization reactions. The shelf life is 12 months when stored properly. Store at -20°C.
NEXTFLEX® BARCODES COMPATIBLE WITH NEXTFLEX® UNIVERSAL BLOCKERS