Thirty Million Compartments: Testing Single-Molecule PCR’s Potential
Sponsored content brought to you by Digital PCR (dPCR) earned its reputation by solving a real problem: it let researchers count nucleic acid molecules directly, without leaning on a standard curve. But […] The post Thirty Million Compartments: Testing Single-Molecule PCR’s Potential appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News .
Digital PCR (dPCR) has earned its reputation by solving a real problem: it allows researchers to count nucleic acid molecules directly, without relying on a standard curve. However, the method assumes that each droplet holds no more than one target molecule, which becomes less reliable at lower concentrations and when multiple targets are present.
Countable Labs has developed a single-molecule counting PCR platform that addresses this issue by partitioning samples into approximately 30 million discrete compartments, physically separating individual molecules for direct counting. This technology offers a wider dynamic range than existing dPCR systems, enabling more accurate quantification across a broader range of target inputs and multiplexing needs.
Alex Zevin, PhD, director of the Genomics Shared Resource at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, tested the Countable Labs platform under real lab conditions. His core facility processes over 10,000 samples annually and has a history of layering on quantification technologies, including Nanostring nCounter, ABI QuantStudio, BioRad QX200, and now the Countable Labs demo unit.
Zevin's team used the platform to quantify Illumina library concentration assays, achieve improved sensitivity in transcript quantification, and detect BCR-ABL/ABL1 fusion in a clinically relevant example of acute myeloid leukemia. These results demonstrate the platform's superior sensitivity compared to standard qPCR.
Looking ahead, Countable Labs envisions applications such as HIV reservoir detection, pharmacogenomic SNP panels, and mycoplasma contamination screening. The company has named Fred Hutchinson its first certified service provider and is building a network of service providers to expand access to this innovative technology.
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