Bio-Rad's QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System: precision for molecular research
Bio-Rad's QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System is designed to revolutionise the way scientists quantify DNA and RNA molecules. This technology is based on an innovative concept: the partitioning of the sample into approximately 20,000 nanolitre droplets that serve as independent micro-reactors. Each droplet is analysed for the presence of the target molecule, enabling absolute quantification according to a Poisson distribution. This method eliminates the need for calibration curves and offers unrivalled accuracy, even for targets present in very low abundance.
The QX200 system consists of two main instruments: a droplet generator and a droplet reader. The generator partitions the sample into a water-oil emulsion to create uniform droplets. After PCR amplification, these droplets are analysed individually by the reader, which measures their fluorescence. Positive droplets indicate the presence of the target sequence, while negative droplets do not. The analysis is performed using QuantaSoft software, which provides a statistical interpretation of the collected data.
This solution stands out for its flexibility and ability to adapt to workflows of varying complexity. It can process eight samples simultaneously and scale up to 96 samples in just five hours, with minimal handling time. Its modular architecture allows throughput to be increased by multiplying the number of experiments from 96 samples in a single day, which is ideal for environments with a high work rate.
The QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System excels in a variety of applications. In cancer research, it can detect rare mutations and quantify biomarkers at extremely low concentrations, down to a ratio of 1 in 1,000,000 total copies. This remarkable sensitivity makes it essential for viral reservoir analysis, validation of next-generation sequencing libraries , and the study of genomic copy number variations. Its compatibility with hydrolysis probes and EvaGreen chemistry further expands its capabilities, from simple detection to complex gene expression analyses.
The system meets the needs of researchers who want robust, reproducible and easily interpretable data. Its intuitive user interface and ergonomic design simplify experiment preparation, reducing the risk of errors and speeding up analysis. The QX200 is therefore an indispensable asset for molecular biology, genomics and oncology laboratories seeking to push the boundaries of nucleic acid detection and analysis.
