Research Challenge Cancer researchers envision a day when cancers can be readily cured or can be managed as a long-term syndrome. If this vision is to become reality, science needs more sensitive techniques that can detect mutant sequences at earlier stages. Molecular imaging, such as NMR analysis or CT scans, can reliably detect masses of a few centimeters, a state that may be too advanced for a good prognosis of a cure. Metabolic screenings only measure systemic changes, such as changes in white blood counts, indirect feedback at best. What if scientists could detect a somatic-cell point mutation, in a sea of non-mutated sequences?

The 12.765 Digital Array. Click image for details.

The Solution: BioMark 12.765 Digital Arrays

The BioMark 12.765 Digital Array enables scientists to find the "needle in a haystack"—the rare somatic-cell mutation that indicates the onset of disease. This breakthrough is possible because the chip uses integrated channels and valves to sub-divide the sample into 765 nano-volume parts. This partitioning, in effect, enriches the target in its partition by a factor of 765, making it detectable in a high-background of similar sequences. A digital array can handle twelve different samples premixed with PCR reagents.

The NanoFlex™ IFC Controller is used to pressure-load the mixtures into the chip. After loading, the chip is placed on the BioMark system for thermal amplification and detection of fluorescent signal.

The 12.765 Chip at a Glance

Parameter		Specification
Samples		12
Partitions per sample		765
Input volume per well		6 nanoliters
Liquid-transfer steps		12
Reactions per chip		9,180
Experiment tracking		Chip-specific barcodes
Chip setup and valve control		NanoFlex IFC Controller
Detection		BioMark System for Genetic Analysis

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