Fluidigm has developed a reusable biochip architecture that is said to lower SNP genotyping costs and support accelerated sample throughput while maintaining data quality.
The reusable integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) were initially developed to support a new programme driven by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the chief scientific research agency of the US Department of Agriculture.
The programme's goal is to drive high sample throughput genotyping down to a penny-per-data-point, which would enable widespread adoption of genetic analysis in vegetable and fruit seeds, livestock and fishery management.
This will improve the quality and quantity of the food supply while lowering production costs.
Curt Van Tassell PhD, research geneticist at ARS, said: 'We know that the wise use of genetics in agriculture can significantly improve our ability to predict an animal's or seed's capability to withstand disease, to produce high-quality product and to enhance a productive life.
'The ongoing challenge has been that genotyping simply costs too much to run the large number of experiments required to find the genetic markers that matter.
'Then, once found, the cost is still too prohibitive to implement these genetic quality controls across the millions of seeds, animals and fish that make up our food production system.
'We determined that modest cost reductions were not sufficient to transform the traditional selection practices that would dramatically improve our food supply.
'We decided to set a 'moon shot' type of goal.
'To achieve a tipping point necessary to transform industry and scientists, we needed to decrease the cost-per-data-point down to a penny - all in (chemical reagents, consumables, and so on).
'If we could achieve that type of cost structure, it would allow us to determine parentage and traceability information for under a dollar per animal.
'This low price point would allow animal evaluations under conditions that were not feasible before - such as in sub-Saharan Africa.
'This technology could provide the information to improve animals for some of the world's poorest livestock producers.
'By developing and using breed- or trait-specific panels, we can realise substantial gains in productivity across cattle as well as other livestock and plant species,' Van Tassell added.
Fluidigm's reuse architecture represents the first step towards this goal.
Fluidigm also recently introduced an ultra-fast thermal cycler - the FC1 cycler - and is adding a new IFC controller designed to support reusable chips.
Initially the reuse family of products will include chips, a new controller, the FC1 cycler and either the EP1 reader or Biomark system.
A new chip and instrument will be announced imminently to start high-sample-throughput genotyping customers down the reusable path.
'We expect to bring additional chip configurations, instruments and assays to the marketplace over this year and next that will make reusability practical for more customers, continue to lower costs per data point and set a course for genetic analysis to contribute to a better food supply for the world,' said Gajus Worthington, president and chief executive officer of Fluidigm.
Applications of Fluidigm's reuse technology will also contribute to the life-sciences industry's competitiveness, according to the company.
