Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., has announced the launch of its QX200 Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) system, the second generation of the company's Droplet Digital PCR technology.
The QX200 system works with EvaGreen and TaqMan hydrolysis probes (reagents that are used with the instrument) to provide users flexibility in the design of their digital PCR experiments. The new system can be used with the company's recently launched 75 Droplet Digital PCR-validated assays for cancer mutation detection and genomic variations (gene copy number). Digital PCR provides researchers a tool for the detection of rare mutations (including distinguishing rare sequences in tumors), precise measurement of copy number variation, and absolute quantification of gene expression.
“Droplet Digital PCR has been widely embraced, demonstrating a level of sensitivity and simplicity not available by any other means,” says Brad Crutchfield, Bio-Rad President, Life Science Group.” Researchers in institutions worldwide are using the ddPCR system to conduct groundbreaking research on HIV, cancer, and disease characterization, resulting in more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in the less than two years since Bio-Rad brought ddPCR to the market. Using ddPCR, HIV researchers at the University of California, San Diego, were able to demonstrate that an infant born with HIV was functionally cured. Other researchers have shown the technology's promise in screening for cancer and diagnosing infectious disease. Learn more about ddPCR from Bio-Rad.
