Fluidigm’s 48.770 Digital Array integrated fluidic circuit (IFC) is capable of testing up to 48 individual samples at a time and automatically partitioning 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 used by molecular biologists to improve upon standard PCR assays. Digital PCR also offers higher resolution for copy number variation experiments, improved selectivity that enhances mutation detection and provides absolute molecule quantification, according to the company.
Using Fluidigm’s products, researchers can complete the entire digital PCR process in less than four hours. The 48.770 Digital Array is part of a 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 Arrays are compatible with off-the-shelf reagents and standard micro well format dispensing layouts.