Workshop: Innovations in digital nucleic acid amplification

Innovations in digital nucleic acid amplification Workshop

In its first part, this workshop will provide an introduction to digital PCR including its principle, related statistics, methods for sample partition and commercially available digital PCR systems.

The second part of the workshop will treat technological innovations comprising the microfluidic integration of droplet generation, amplification and detection into one single cavity, as well as probe techniques for increased signal-to-noise ratio, improved capabilities for multiplexing and SNP detection. Futhermore,  lysis strategies required for single cell digital PCR will be reviewed, with special focus on process alternatives for lysis of bacteria.

Thirdly, in a live lab we will demonstrate how digital nucleic acid amplification can be performed using standard laboratory devices only (i.e mini-centrifuge, incubator, fluorescence reader), enabled by a novel microfluidic chip. In addition, we present a laboratory prototype for sample-to-answer digital nucleic amplification.