Are you currently facing complex challenges in nucleic acid quantification, such as detecting rare mutations or achieving absolute quantification without standard curves? At Creative Biolabs, our Microfluidic Chip Development Service for Digital PCR helps you streamline these processes and obtain highly precise, reliable data. We achieve this by leveraging advanced microfluidic technology to precisely partition your samples for high-throughput, absolute quantification of nucleic acids.
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Background
Digital PCR (dPCR) is an advanced molecular biology technique that provides absolute quantification of nucleic acids by partitioning a single sample into thousands or even millions of individual micro-reactions. This partitioning is the core principle that distinguishes dPCR from traditional quantitative PCR (qPCR) which relies on relative measurements and standard curves.
Microfluidic devices serve as optimal foundations for this compartmentalization. These systems incorporate microfabricated conduits and reservoirs at micron dimensions, permitting exact control over picoliter-scale fluid quantities. Designs can be configured to generate exceptionally uniform droplet populations (droplet dPCR) or patterned microwell arrangements (chamber dPCR). Integrating these methodologies facilitates resilient and exceptionally precise nucleic acid measurement. As illustration, peer-reviewed evidence confirms dPCR outperforms qPCR in identifying minor copy number variation (CNV) alterations. The extreme partitioning density guarantees detection of individual target DNA/RNA molecules, establishing it as a potent methodology for scrutinizing rare biological occurrences.
Fig. 1 Microfluidic digital PCR partitioning and counting.1,4
Features and Benefits
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Absolute Quantification: Digital PCR with microfluidic chips provides absolute quantification without the need for standard curves, offering more accurate and reliable data.
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Fast Processing Times: The streamlined workflow reduces processing times, delivering quicker results for time-sensitive applications and enabling faster decision-making.
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User-Friendly Interface: These systems are designed to be user-friendly, simplifying operation and reducing the learning curve for researchers.
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Multiplexing Capability: Microfluidic digital PCR allows for simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple targets in a single reaction, increasing throughput and efficiency.
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Enhanced Reproducibility: Precise control over reaction conditions enhances the reproducibility of assays, which is vital for obtaining consistent data across experiments.
Applications
The precision and sensitivity of microfluidic dPCR make it a powerful tool across a wide range of fields.
Liquid Biopsy & Oncology
Non-invasive detection and quantification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment response assessment.
Infectious Disease Diagnostics
Highly sensitive detection and quantification of low-abundance viral or bacterial pathogens, including viral load monitoring for diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
Gene Expression Analysis
Accurate quantification of gene expression levels, particularly for low-expression genes or for single-cell analysis.
Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
Precise quantification of fetal DNA in maternal plasma for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities.
Environmental Monitoring
Sensitive detection and quantification of microorganisms or nucleic acids in water or soil samples for environmental surveillance.
What We Can Offer
Creative Biolabs offers a comprehensive suite advancing microfluidic dPCR endeavors. Our offerings are designed to provide a seamless, one-stop solution for researchers and companies.
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Workflow
Why Choose Us
Creative Biolabs achieves distinction through dedication to inventive principles and accuracy benchmarks. Our specialized expertise in both microfluidic engineering and molecular diagnostics allows us to deliver solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also highly practical for your research needs.
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Superior Accuracy & Sensitivity: Our chips are engineered for high-fidelity sample partitioning, which is critical for the absolute quantification of nucleic acids.
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Inhibitor Tolerance: By separating the sample, our dPCR chips are less susceptible to inhibitors often present in complex matrices, ensuring more reliable results.
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Cost-Effectiveness: The miniaturization of reaction volumes significantly reduces the consumption of expensive reagents, leading to a lower cost per test.
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Custom-Tailored Solutions: We don't offer a one-size-fits-all product. Our team collaborates with you to create a microfluidic solution uniquely suited to your specific application.
Published Data
Fig 2. Microfluidic Array Partitioning digital PCR chip.2,4
The study validated the new digital PCR (dPCR) platform's performance across various clinical applications. The experimental design involved three main phases. First, the platform was used to detect and quantify the EGFR T790M rare genetic mutant, a key indicator in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. The experiment demonstrated the system's ability to reliably quantify this target.
Next, the researchers validated the platform with a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) assay, targeting the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. This experiment confirmed the platform's high sensitivity, showing it could quantify transcripts down to a 0.01% mutant allele frequency with strong reproducibility.
Finally, the platform was used to monitor a patient with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). A patient-specific assay was developed to track the fusion transcript levels in the patient's blood over time. The results showed that the transcript levels decreased significantly after Sorafenib monotherapy and became undetectable following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This successfully replicated the disease progression trend observed with a commercially available platform, highlighting the new system's accuracy and potential for personalized cancer monitoring.
FAQs
Q: How do microfluidic dPCR chips enable multiplexing for multiple targets?
A: Our chips are engineered to support multiplexing by using an array of fluorescent probes, each labeled with a distinct fluorophore. This allows for the simultaneous detection and absolute quantification of different nucleic acid targets within a single sample, maximizing data output while conserving valuable sample volume and reagents.
Q: What is the compatibility of your chips with existing lab equipment?
A: Our microfluidic chips are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing lab infrastructure. We can develop designs compatible with a variety of common thermal cyclers and optical readers. During the consultation phase, we'll discuss your specific instrument specifications to ensure a smooth integration and minimal need for new hardware.
Q: What is the key scientific advantage of dPCR over traditional qPCR?
A: The primary advantage of dPCR is its ability to provide absolute quantification of nucleic acids by counting individual molecules. Unlike qPCR, which relies on relative measurements from a standard curve, dPCR's digital nature eliminates the need for reference samples and significantly improves sensitivity. This is critical for applications like detecting rare mutations in liquid biopsies or quantifying low-level viral loads, where the target concentration is extremely low.
Q: Which materials are used in your chips and how do they impact performance?
A: Utilizing superior-grade biocompatible substrates including PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) and COC (cyclic olefin copolymer). These materials are chosen for their optimal properties, including optical clarity for fluorescence detection, chemical inertness to prevent assay interference, and thermal stability for efficient thermocycling. The choice of material is tailored to your specific application needs to ensure maximum performance and reliable results.
Featured Services
Feature Products
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CAT No
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Material
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Product Name
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Application
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MFCH-001
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Glass
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Herringbone Microfluidic Chip
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Processing samples and reagents in Nucleic acid analysis, blood Analysis, immunoassays and point-of-care diagnostics.
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MFMM-0723-JS12
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Glass
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Double Emulsion Droplet Chip
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Our double emulsion microfluidic chip, incorporating localized modifications and a classic flow-focusing structure, is specifically designed to generate stable and uniform double emulsion droplets.
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MFCH-005
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PDMS
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3D Cell Culture Chip-Neuron
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Neuron cell culture and study of axon transport, axon protein synthesis, axon damage/regeneration, signal transduction of axon to somatic signal.
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MFCH-009
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PDMS
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Synvivo-Idealized Co-Culture Network Chips (IMN2 radial)
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SynBBB 3D Blood Brain Barrier Model/SynRAM 3D Inflammation Model/SynTumor 3D Cancer Model/SynTox 3D Toxicology Model
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MFMM1-GJS4
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COC
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BE-Doubleflow Standard
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Studying circulating particles, cell interactions and simple organ on chip system construction.
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MFMM1-GJS6
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COC
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BE-Transflow Custom
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Used to construct cell interface or Air-Liquid interface (ALI) to study more complex culture systems.
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Click here to Explore our complete product catalog.
Consult our specialists for detailed insights and project-specific deliberations.
References
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Liao, Peiyu, and Yanyi Huang. "Digital PCR: Endless Frontier of 'Divide and Conquer'." Micromachines vol. 8,8 231. 25 Jul. 2017, https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8080231
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Dueck, Megan E et al. "Precision cancer monitoring using a novel, fully integrated, microfluidic array partitioning digital PCR platform." Scientific reports vol. 9,1 19606. 20 Dec. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55872-7
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Fergola, Andrea et al. "Droplet Generation and Manipulation in Microfluidics: A Comprehensive Overview of Passive and Active Strategies." Biosensors vol. 15,6 345. 29 May. 2025, https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15060345
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Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
