What is a digital PCR system?

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction to digital pcr systems
  2. Working Principles of Digital PCR
  3. Advantages over Traditional PCR
  4. Applications of Digital PCR
  5. HYSEN Company Solutions
  6. Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics
  7. Conclusion
  8. References

Introduction to Digital PCR Systems

Digital PCR (dPCR) systems represent a significant advancement in the field of molecular diagnostics. Unlike conventional PCR techniques, which provide only qualitative results, digital PCR offers precise and quantitative data without the need for standard curves. This method involves partitioning a sample into thousands of individual reactions, allowing for absolute quantification of nucleic acid sequences.

Working Principles of Digital PCR

Digital PCR systems operate by partitioning the sample into numerous individual volumes, often using microfluidic or droplet technologies. Each partition contains either zero or one nucleic acid molecule. Following amplification through PCR cycling, the presence or absence of target sequences in each partition is detected, often using fluorescent probes. The ratio of positive partitions provides a direct estimate of the nucleic acid concentration.

Advantages over Traditional PCR

Digital PCR offers several advantages over traditional PCR, including:

  • Increased sensitivity and precision.
  • Absolute quantification without external standards.
  • High tolerance to inhibitors present in the sample.

Applications of Digital PCR

The applications of digital PCR span a wide range of fields, such as:

  • Oncology: for detecting rare genetic mutations.
  • Virology: including absolute viral load quantification.
  • Genomics: such as copy number variation analysis.
  • Pathogen detection: with high sensitivity for infectious disease diagnostics.

HYSEN Company Solutions

HYSEN company offers a comprehensive suite of digital PCR solutions designed to meet the needs of advanced molecular diagnostics. Key solutions include:

  • HYSEN dPCR-1000: A desktop system featuring high throughput capabilities, allowing for up to 96 samples per run and integrated software for data analysis.
  • HYSEN Droplet Generator: Focused on partitioning efficiency, with a droplet creation rate of up to 20,000 droplets per second.
  • HYSEN QuantMaster: Offers high precision quantification with a dynamic range spanning six orders of magnitude.

Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics

The performance metrics of digital PCR systems can be summarized as follows:

  • Partition Volume: Typically around 0.85 nanoliters.
  • Detection Sensitivity: Capable of detecting a single copy of target DNA or RNA in a sample.
  • Dynamic Range: Supports a wide range of concentrations, from one copy per microliter to several million copies per microliter.

Conclusion

Digital PCR serves as a critical tool in the advancement of molecular diagnostic techniques. Its ability to provide precise quantification of nucleic acids enhances research capabilities and clinical diagnostics. Companies like HYSEN are leading the way in developing robust solutions to harness the full potential of digital PCR technology.

References

  1. O'Neill, R.A., Digital PCR Technology: Bringing Precision to Molecular Diagnostics, Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 2020.
  2. Smith, J.C., et al., The Application of Digital PCR in Rare Variant Detection, Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 2019.
  3. HYSEN Corporation, Technical Specifications for HYSEN dPCR Systems, HYSEN Technical Manual, 2022.
HYSEN brand gives you a solution