B-Cell Receptor Sequencing (BCR Sequencing)
What Is B-Cell Receptor Sequencing (BCR Sequencing)?
B-cell receptor (BCR) sequencing is a next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique that profiles the diverse repertoire of immunoglobulins (Ig) expressed by B cells. By analyzing the heavy (IGH) and light (IGK, IGL) chain variable regions—shaped by V(D)J recombination and refined by somatic hypermutation (SHM)—BCR-Seq enables detailed characterization of humoral immunity.
BCRs are critical for antigen recognition and antibody production. Through sequencing, researchers can trace B-cell lineage, measure clonal diversity, identify affinity-matured clones, and uncover patterns of immune evolution during disease or therapy. The technology captures millions of unique clonotypes, providing an unparalleled view of antibody-mediated immunity.
Advantages of BCR Sequencing
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Supports full-length analysis of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains with high accuracy.
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Detects rare clonotypes and somatic hypermutations through deep sequencing.
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Offers workflows for both bulk B-cell populations and single-cell BCR pairing.
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Compatible with multiple species, including human, mouse, and rat.
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Flexible sample input: PBMCs, whole blood, bone marrow, or isolated B cells.
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Provides robust bioinformatics including clonotype assembly, diversity metrics, and mutation profiling.
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inimizes PCR bias using optimized enrichment strategies for accurate representation.
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Delivered with rapid turnaround (2–3 weeks) and optional expedited processing.
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Backed by expert scientific consultation from project design through data interpretation.
BCR-Seq has become a cornerstone in immunology research, therapeutic antibody discovery, and translational medicine. By allowing researchers to map antibody repertoires and clonal dynamics, it plays a critical role in:
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Therapeutic Antibody Discovery: Identifying novel monoclonal antibodies and characterizing their evolution during immune responses.
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Vaccine Development: Evaluating B-cell responses to vaccine candidates and guiding antigen optimization.
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Autoimmune Disease Research: Detecting autoreactive B-cell clones driving conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
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Hematologic Malignancy Studies: Profiling BCR clonality to monitor diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma.
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Immune Monitoring in Clinical Trials: Tracking B-cell repertoire reconstitution during therapies or following bone marrow transplantation.
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Allergy and Hypersensitivity Research: Analyzing B-cell responses in allergic conditions to uncover mechanisms of immune dysregulation.
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Fundamental Immunology Studies: Advancing understanding of B-cell maturation, affinity selection, and antigen recognition dynamics.
What is BCR Sequencing Used For?
BCR Sequencing with AUGenomics
Sample Submission
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Sample types accepted: PBMCs, whole blood, bone marrow, or isolated B cells.
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Amount needed: ~1 million cells or 100–500 ng of high-quality RNA or DNA.
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Sequencing recommendations: 50,000–1,000,000 reads/sample depending on desired resolution and depth.
Please refer to our Shipping Guidelines for project-specific guidance.
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround time is 2–3 weeks from sample QC. Expedited options are available depending on project scope and sequencing depth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What’s the difference between TCR and BCR sequencing?
A: TCR sequencing targets T-cell receptors (T cells), while BCR sequencing focuses on immunoglobulin receptors (B cells). Both are used for profiling adaptive immunity, but they assess different immune compartments.
Q: Can BCR sequencing help with antibody drug discovery?
A: Yes, BCR sequencing is a common step in identifying therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and characterizing immune repertoire changes in response to treatment.
Q: Do you support human and mouse BCR profiling?
A: Yes. We support BCR sequencing for human and common model organisms including mouse and rat.
Q: Does BCR-Seq detect somatic hypermutations?
A: Absolutely. Our analysis pipeline detects and quantifies SHM, revealing affinity maturation patterns that are key for understanding antibody evolution.
Q: What sequencing depth do you recommend?
A: We typically recommend 1,000,000 reads per sample, depending on the required resolution and study objectives. Our team can help determine the optimal depth for your project.
Got more questions? Contact our team and get a free consultation anytime. info@augenomics.com
Glossary of Terms
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BCR (B-cell receptor): A membrane-bound immunoglobulin molecule on B cells responsible for recognizing specific antigens.
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Immunoglobulin (Ig): Antibody proteins consisting of heavy and light chains, including isotypes like IgG, IgA, and IgM.
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V(D)J Recombination: A mechanism of genetic rearrangement that creates diverse antigen-binding regions in BCRs and TCRs.
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Clonality: The degree to which B cells share the same BCR sequence, indicating clonal expansion.
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Somatic Hypermutation (SHM): A process where mutations are introduced into the BCR variable regions during immune responses to enhance antigen binding.
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PBMCs: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells—blood cells with round nuclei, including B and T lymphocytes.
