Fluidigm Europe has introduced the 48.770 Digital Array chip, a high-density integrated fluidic circuit (IFC).
This IFC can test up to 48 individual samples at a time and automatically partitions each of the samples into separate sets of 770 reaction chambers - delivering a total of 36,960 simultaneous digital PCR reactions.
Digital PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a technique to quantify the amount of nucleic acid in a sample, typically by counting amplifications from single molecules.
It is a popular method used by molecular biologists to improve upon standard PCR assays.
Digital PCR also offers higher resolution for copy-number variation experiments and improved selectivity that enhances mutation detection and provides absolute molecule quantification.
Fluidigm's digital PCR lets researchers prepare samples for high-throughput DNA sequencing with exquisite precision, thereby increasing the throughput and reach of their DNA sequencers.
They can assay foetal DNA in maternal plasma and can quickly and easily find mutant DNA in a relative ocean of normal DNA, allowing breakthrough discoveries.
The 48.770 IFC allows scientists to race through four-times as much material as was possible before, to find the specific molecule that matters to their research.
When combined with Fluidigm's Slingshot kit for next-generation DNA sequencing, this pair of products dramatically lowers costs and improves data quality, while speeding up time-to-results for scientists.
Slingshot improves the productivity of next-generation sequencing tools from Roche, Illumina and Applied Biosystems.
It does so by exploiting the unique properties of IFCs to detect only amplifiable molecules within the sample mixture.
Using Fluidigm's products, researchers can complete the entire digital PCR process in less than four hours.
Fluidigm's 48.770 Digital Array is part of a complete system for genetic analysis.
Systems can include IFCs (both dynamic and digital arrays), an IFC controller, a Biomark System or stand-alone Thermal Cycler, an EP1 Reader and Fluidigm's software suite.
Fluidigm's Digital Array range is compatible with off-the-shelf reagents and standard micro-well format dispensing layouts.
A video detailing this technological development can be seen at Fluidigm's website.
