New Instrument Automates Droplet Generation for Digital Droplet PCR Systems

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Nov 2014

Biotech researchers and other life scientists working with PCR techniques will be interested in the availability of a new instrument that automates and standardizes droplet generation for droplet digital PCR (ddPRC).

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (Hercules, CA, USA) has launched its Automated Droplet Generator (AutoDG Instrument) that complements the QX100 and QX200 Droplet Readers. This combination of instruments and a laptop computer equipped with the QuantaSoft software package constitute the automated droplet digital PCR system.

Image: The AutoDG Droplet Generator (left) with the QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System (right) (Photo courtesy of Bio-Rad).

The AutoDG Instrument creates droplets quickly, reproducibly, and reliably. At maximum capacity, the system can generate droplets for 96 wells in less than 45 minutes. The instrument can generate droplets for fluorescent probe-based or EvaGreen dye-based detection.

The Droplet Generator is used to partition the ddPCR reaction mix into 20,000 nanoliter-sized droplets. After PCR on a thermal cycler, droplets from each sample are analyzed individually on the Droplet Reader. Droplets are sipped, and the singulator unpacks the emulsified droplets and streams them in single file past a two-color optical detection system in a serial manner. Up to 96 samples can be processed per run. The PCR-positive and PCR-negative droplets are counted to provide absolute quantification of target DNA in digital form. Alternatively, amplified products can be extracted from droplets following PCR for downstream applications, such as sequencing or cloning.

The AutoDG Instrument has its own hood and HEPA filter, reducing contamination so the system can be used on a standard laboratory bench, without the need for a PCR cabinet or cleanroom.

Bio-Rad's digital biology center marketing managers said, "With a quick setup, you are able to walk away and return to a full plate of droplets ready for thermal cycling and analysis. Droplet Digital PCR is sensitive enough to detect differences in people’s pipetting habits. This instrument eliminates that variability."

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Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.