Jun 13 2012
Fluidigm (NASDAQ:FLDM) today unveiled the details of its new C1™
Single-Cell AutoPrep System to attendees at the International Society
for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) meeting in Yokohama, Japan. The C1
System, based on Fluidigm's innovative microfluidic technology, enables
a researcher to isolate and process individual cells rapidly and
reliably for genomic analysis. For the first time, a researcher can
isolate cells, extract RNA, and then reverse transcribe and preamplify
mRNA transcripts automatically to enable detection and analysis of cell
activity.
Fluidigm has become a leader in the emerging field of single-cell
genomics with its widely adopted BioMark™ and BioMark HD Systems,
enabling scientists to routinely examine previously unavailable genomic
signatures generated from a single cell. The stem cell research
community in Japan, and indeed around the world, has been an important
early customer group exploring single cells. Stem cell, cancer and
immunology research are expected to be the initial focus applications
for the C1 System.
As part of its activities at ISSCR, Fluidigm also announced the start of
its Early Access Program for the C1 System. The C1
System has been specifically designed to work seamlessly with the
BioMark HD System to enhance the workflow and reliability of data for
scientists studying single-cell genomics. The Early Access Program
allows select customers the opportunity to receive the first commercial
shipments during the second half of 2012 before shipment to the broader
group of customers. In addition to being the first to utilize the new
technology, Early Access Program partners will be provided with no-cost
startup consumables, participate in the development of new platform
capabilities, and receive pre-market access to future platform
expansions. Researchers interested in the Early Access Program can
register at www.fluidigm.com/c1system.
"The new C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep System is the first of its
kind. The C1 System handles, separates and prepares
individual single cells for genetic analysis. We are very excited about
the commercial release of the C1, for we believe it will
enable single-cell research on a broad scale that will in turn make
profound contributions to numerous fields in biology," said Gajus
Worthington, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fluidigm. "Though
the C1 represents a major advance in single-cell genomics, we
are at the beginning of what we can do together with the scientific
community. Ultimately, the C1 System will allow researchers
to study cell differentiation, measure individual cell responses to
specific stimuli, verify critical disease biomarkers, validate RNAi
knockdown, and sequence individual cells," Worthington concluded.
The C1 System workflow is initiated by loading a sample of
cells in solution into the C1 microfluidic chip in a single
pipetting step, then directing the C1 System to rapidly and
automatically isolate up to 96 individual cells into individual chambers
for preparation. After loading, researchers can choose an "in-process"
quality control checkpoint to verify the number of captured cells and
distinguish live from dead cells to preserve data integrity. The
workflow then proceeds with a rapid "on-chip" cell lysis without RNA
purification, reverse transcription, and preamplification without
hands-on reagent mixing and sample transfer. The final preamplified cDNA
product is thereafter harvested to collection wells for transfer to the
BioMark HD System for quantitative PCR analysis.
The C1 Single Cell AutoPrep System consists of:
-
C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep System that provides breakthrough
bench-top automation of isolation, lysis and preamplification
performed on single cells.
-
C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep Array chip that facilitates capture
and highly paralleled preparation of up to 96 individual cells.
-
C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep Reagent Kit, a pre-formulated
"ready to use" reagent kit that supports cell suspension, lysis and
purification.
Source: Fluidigm Corporation.