AmpliGrid AG480F

Genetic typing of single cells
Identity testing using human DNA is a growing field in molecular biology. Several commercial kits and products based on the analysis of short tandem repeats (STR) of nucleic acids are available. Using the AmpliGrid technology it is now possible, for the first time, to apply these kits confidently to even one single cell reactions. Using this technology, systematic studies to improve sensitivity, characterise drop-outs, analyse cells in a population one by one, as well as many more approaches, have shown to be excellent new methods in the precise typing of single cells.

Improved genetic profile

Single cell sequencing
Sequencing of PCR products generated from a single cell is a challenge in basic research, immunology, forensics, population genetics as well as other fields of biology and medicine. With the AmpliGrid, amplification and sequencing from a defined single cell can be integrated in one workflow. The reaction takes place exactly where the cell has been deposited. All steps are ‘on-chip’ greatly reducing the contamination risk and the generation of sequencing artefacts.

Balanced sequencing results

Copy number variations in single cells
The analysis of the presence or absence of complete chromosomes, as well as fragments, is fundamental to genetic diagnoses. In many cases, there are only a limited number of cells available or the genetic answer refers to single cells only (within mixed populations). Advalytix has developed protocols with significantly reduced complexity for whole genome amplifications. Applying these methods to single cells, followed by the redundant analysis of many genetic loci, makes the detection of the presence/absence of chromosomes and chromatids highly accurate.

Analysis of copy number variations

Combined immuno-phenotyping and single cell expression analysis 
Single cell RT-PCR is one of the latest techniques used for advanced expression analysis. From a functional point of view, it is a great advantage to sort single cells after immuno-phenotyping, using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Combining the information gathered from a specific fluorescent marker that reflects a defined function, with this kind of genetic analysis, is a key breakthrough for the burgeoning field of ‘cellomics’. The AmpliGrid is the only amplification platform that can be easily integrated with any cell sorter, allowing high throughput (and consequently highly redundant) genetic analysis of single cells.

Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACSAria, BD)