Fluidigm Europe has announced the availability of a new technical poster** describing how the Fluidigm EP1^TM System provides the ideal solution for high sample throughput SNP genotyping studies in animals and plants because it offers outstanding data quality and workflow efficiency.

Typically genetic applications start with the collection of DNA samples.  Blood samples are expensive to collect, as well as complex and costly to ship, store and process.  Hair follicles and ear punches are inefficient to process and can provide low quality DNA, resulting in failed samples and a requirement to recollect, incurring additional cost, effort and time.

The authors describe how the Fluidigm EP1 System and Dynamic Array^TM Integrated Fluidic Circuits (IFC's) were used to genotype 48 cattle nasal samples in duplicate tested against a 96 SNP parentage panel developed by a USDA-led cattle consortium.  The nasal swab samples were obtained using the Performagene.LIVESTOCK kit from DNA Genotek***.  The SNP genotyping results show 99.3% call rates and 100% concordance using the cattle samples as described.  The SNP geneotyping results were obtained in less than half a day and with only minutes of actual hands on time.

The researchers conclude that Fluidigm's Dynamic Array^TM IFC and EP-1 System provide a rapid, high-throughput method of producing SNP Genotyping Cattle data of the highest quality. A copy of the technical poster is available on request by contacting biomarkeurope@fluidigm.com.  

Fluidigm dynamic arrays deliver a new level of efficiency and throughput for real time PCR and genotyping applications. The dynamic array eliminates the endless liquid transfer steps to set up each and every data point. Dynamic arrays have an on-chip network of channels, chambers, and valves that automatically assemble the PCR reactions. Each 96.96 Dynamic Array^TM IFC is capable of running 96 samples against 96 SNP assays generating a total of 9216 genotypes.

Fluidigm's EP1 system provides superior data quality, a fast and easy workflow, and significant cost savings for SNP genotyping studies. The system delivers the highest quality SNP genotyping results on the market with better than 99 percent call rates and 99.75 percent or greater accuracy. All of this is achieved with an easy-to-use, high-throughput workflow that can provide up to 9,216 data points per IFC chip with results in just four hours of mostly machine time.  The EP1 system, which includes the IFC Controller, Stand-Alone Thermal Cycler and EP1 Reader, provides over 27,000 genotypes a day. By adding more IFC controllers and thermal cyclers to be used in conjunction with a single EP1 Reader, laboratories can generate more than 200,000 genotypes in a day.

Fluidigm develops, manufactures and markets proprietary Integrated Fluidic Circuit (IFC) systems that significantly improve productivity in life science research. Fluidigm's IFCs enable the simultaneous performance of thousands of sophisticated biochemical measurements in extremely minute volumes. These "integrated circuits for biology" are made possible by miniaturizing and integrating liquid handling components on a single microfluidic device (IFC). Fluidigm's systems, consisting of instrumentation, software and single-use chips, increase throughput, decrease costs and enhance sensitivity compared to conventional laboratory systems. Fluidigm products have not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a diagnostic and are only available for research use. For more information, please visit www.fluidigm.com


**  Poster was first displayed at PAG 2009
*** For more information on the DNA Genotek Performagene.LIVESTOCK kit visit www.dnagenotek.com  
*     Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, Topaz, BioMark, Dynamic Array, Digital Array, Access Array and NanoFlex are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.