Abstract 2932: The 6-color naica® system: a digital PCR platform and workflow for high multiplex genetic detection and analysis

Abstract

Abstract There are several molecular platforms routinely used to investigate genomic material. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is ubiquitously used because of the ease of use and the precision however, it does not offer high multiplexing. While digital PCR (dPCR) is known for increased precision and sensitivity, most digital PCR platforms provide the same level of multiplexing as qPCR. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is less precise than qPCR or dPCR and but has the highest multiplexing capability of the three technologies. Conventional digital PCR systems have been limited by the number of instruments required to conduct the workflow, time-to-result compared to qPCR, and level of multiplexing as compared to next-generation sequencing (NGS). Crystal Digital PCR™ and the naica system is a next-generation digital PCR platform that simplifies the number of instruments in the workflow, speeds up the time of results to less than 3 hours, and increases the number of detection colors to 6 spectrally distinct channels. By using a combination of dual-labelled fluorescent probes, multiplexed digital PCR provides a simple solution that makes it possible to use less of a precious sample when faced with limited quantity without sacrificing sensitivity. The naica system workflow utilizes microfluidic consumables, such as the Sapphire chip for high sensitivity applications, and the Opal chip for higher throughput studies. All reagents including primers and probes, master mix, and sample are inputted into the chips in one single loading step. Chips are transferred to the Geode instrument, where the sample is partitioned into a 2D-monolayer of droplet crystals and where all targets are amplified. After the PCR program has been completed, the same chips are then loaded into the Prism6 imager which detects all targets across 6 fluorescent channels and outputs an image of all droplets in a sample. Finally, Crystal Miner analysis software can be used to analyze and decipher the quantifications and expression of all targets in the assay. The 6-color naica system allows for high multiplex detection of targets previously unattainable by conventional digital PCR systems. With this advent, genomic scientists have an additional platform in the molecular toolbox that supports seamless assay development of oncology biomarker assays for gene expression, rare target detection, and liquid biopsy applications. Citation Format: Andrew Hoskins, Shekerah Primus, Mary Yazdani, Kimberley Gutierrez, Benjamin Foret, Fabien Bernard, Rémi Dangla. The 6-color naica® system: a digital PCR platform and workflow for high multiplex genetic detection and analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2932.