Fluidigm Launches Biomark™ Dynamic Arrays for High-Throughput 5’-Nuclease Genotyping
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Fluidigm Corporation has announced high-throughput, TaqMan® reagent-based genotyping on BioMark™ 48.48 Dynamic Arrays, integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) for life science research.
Until now, large genotyping studies utilizing the gold-standard chemistry have typically required numerous microwell plates, dispensing robotics to handle the intensive liquid handling, and large amounts of reagents. This approach, while automated, is prohibitively complex and expensive.
According to Fluidigm, BioMark dynamic arrays simplify the process because their matrixed network of channels, valves, and chambers automatically assembles 2,304 parallel, nano-volume reactions on each IFC. With the BioMark™ system and standard, industry-accepted reagents, researchers can increase their throughput 6-fold, decrease pipetting 50-fold.
“This new application of our BioMark system provides a significant contribution to life science research,” said Fluidigm CEO Gajus Worthington.
“While the TaqMan® chemistry clearly delivers gold-standard performance, the 384-well format severely inhibits its use in high-throughput genotyping applications. The BioMark system delivers the throughput practitioners’ need with the performance of the gold-standard chemistry, but at a fraction of the work and a fraction of the cost,” said Mr. Worthington.
The BioMark™ system and dynamic arrays use PCR assays to detect specific combinations of alleles within individual samples. The research goal is to understand genetic variation within a large population, knowledge used in diverse fields such as cancer genetics, human genetic diversity, horticultural genetics, and wildlife conservation. Fluidigm expects to place early-access systems soon, with general commercial availability starting in October.
