Creative Biolabs is a global company that focuses on microfluidic chips development. With our extensive experience and advanced platform, we can provide comprehensive development services of microfluidic chips for Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems. We are dedicated to assisting our clients with the most satisfactory data to meet any requirements of your projects.
Introduction to Digital PCR on Microfluidic Chips
PCR is an attractive strategy that has been broadly used for amplifying DNA fragments in molecule biology. Recently, the microfluidic-based digital PCR has become a favored option for quantifying nucleic acids due to its low-cost, simplicity, and high sensitivity. In the digital PCR system, the sample will be divided into at least 20,000 droplets. The microchambers and emulsion droplets are usually shown in pink and blue respectively. After PCR amplification, droplets with target gene sequences will be fluorescently labeled and marked as positive, and droplets without fluorescent signals are shown as negative. Afterward, the absolute quantification of the target sequence will be finally calculated by using different algorithms, including Poisson distribution analysis.
Fig. 1 Microfluidic digital PCR partitioning and counting.1,2
Our Microfluidic Chips Services for Digital PCR
Microfluidic-based digital PCR has attracted much attention and is widely used in a range of applications, such as biology, medicine, and environmental area. The data suggested that these systems are capable of reducing the detection time, increasing sensitivity and accuracy, enhancing high-throughput screening, as well as improving simplicity and convenience in the quantification of nucleic acid samples.
At Creative Biolabs, a multitude of microfluidic chips have been designed for generating novel on-chip PCR devices. In principle, a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) prepolymer will be coated on a slide and be transferred to the patterned substrate to obtain a sealed fluid system. In this condition, the microfluidic channels will be further connected by PDMS substrates on PDMS plates. Due to a complete portfolio of chips and reagents, we can offer different types of microfluidic-based digital PCR systems, including single-phase microfluidic PCR and droplet microfluidic PCR, for our valued clients to provide rapid and accurate detection services. For example, we have successfully developed a droplet microfluidic PCR assay for the detection of DNA fragments of peanut samples. The droplet microfluidic PCR chip is designed by using a cross-junction microchannel with a width of 200 μm and a serpentine microchannel with a width of 300 μm. The results indicated that our droplet microfluidic PCR chip can significantly improve PCR amplification efficiency compared with other microfluidic chips.
Creative Biolabs is recognized as the world leader for providing the most diverse portfolio of microfluidic chip development solutions for worldwide customers. We are proud to partner with our clients on the journey of bringing new microfluidic chips to the market. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for closer communication to learn how we can be involved in your project. Separate services or integrated end-to-end solutions are all welcomed.
References
Liao, Huang, et al. " Digital PCR: Endless Frontier of ‘Divide and Conquer’." Micromachines 8.8 (2017): 231.
under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
Features and Benefits
Absolute Quantification
Digital PCR with microfluidic chips provides absolute quantification without the need for standard curves. This direct measurement method offers more accurate and reproducible data, enhancing the reliability of experimental results.
Fast Processing Times
The streamlined workflow of microfluidic digital PCR reduces processing times, delivering quicker results. This rapid turnaround is beneficial for time-sensitive research and clinical applications, enabling faster decision-making and interventions.
User-Friendly Interface
The microfluidic chip systems for digital PCR are designed with user-friendly interfaces, simplifying operation and reducing the learning curve. This accessibility ensures that researchers can quickly adopt and utilize the technology in their workflows.
Multiplexing Capability
Microfluidic digital PCR allows for multiplexing, enabling the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple targets in a single reaction. This feature increases assay throughput and efficiency, providing comprehensive data from minimal sample input.
Enhanced Reproducibility
The precise control over reaction conditions in microfluidic chips enhances the reproducibility of digital PCR assays. This consistency is vital for obtaining reliable data across different experiments and studies.
Q&As
Q: How does microfluidic digital PCR differ from traditional PCR?
A: Microfluidic digital PCR partitions the sample into thousands of individual reactions, allowing for absolute quantification of nucleic acids. This method offers higher precision and sensitivity compared to traditional PCR, which relies on relative quantification using standard curves.
Q: What types of samples can be analyzed using microfluidic digital PCR?
A: Microfluidic digital PCR can analyze a wide range of samples, including blood, tissue, saliva, and environmental samples. The technology is compatible with both DNA and RNA, making it versatile for various applications.
Q: How is data from microfluidic digital PCR analyzed?
A: Data analysis involves detecting and quantifying positive PCR reactions within the microfluidic partitions. Advanced software calculates the absolute concentration of target nucleic acids, providing detailed insights into sample composition and genetic variations.
Q: How scalable are microfluidic digital PCR systems for large-scale studies?
A: Microfluidic digital PCR systems are highly scalable due to their ability to process numerous samples simultaneously. This scalability makes them suitable for large-scale studies, such as population genomics, environmental monitoring, and high-throughput drug screening.
Q: How do microfluidic digital PCR systems handle multiplexing?
A: Microfluidic digital PCR systems can perform multiplexing by simultaneously detecting multiple targets in a single reaction. This capability increases assay throughput and efficiency, allowing for comprehensive analysis of genetic variations or pathogen presence from a single sample.
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Fig. 1 Microfluidic digital PCR partitioning and counting.1,2
