Digital PCR: An Assay of Choice for Various Applications

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The clonal amplification of nucleic acid molecules with the enzyme DNA polymerase, also known as DPCR or Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a breakthrough technology. This particularly advanced method of absolute nucleic acid quantification partitions each sample into multiple microscopic droplets before proceeding with amplification. A PCR reaction therefore occurs in each individual droplet, and fluorescence may be detected on a per-droplet basis, making quantification not only remarkably simple, but also extremely reliable.

Digital PCR - An Innovative Technique

Ultra-sensitive, Digital PCR is especially relevant for targets in complex backgrounds, for low abundance targets, for allelic variants and as a means of monitoring target level changes, which can be particularly subtle and undetectable through other methods. Such a level of sensitivity and precision reduces the risk of error significantly without requiring any standard curves. Exploitable results are delivered immediately and without the need for invasive procedures, making digital PCR solutions such as those provided by Stilla Technologies an excellent option for a variety of applications.

DPCR Applications

Without relying on a standard curve, DPCR is ideal for a wide array of specimen testing applications. From clinical microbiology to next generation sequencing, single cell analysis, gene expression analysis, pathogen detection and more, Digital PCR provides concrete answers to a number of issues which rely on the sensitivity of their measurements.

Research

Several research areas can benefit from DPCR technology. Fundamental research can only go as far as the tools it utilizes. Thanks to its extreme accuracy, Digital PCR may bridge the gap between theoretical science and applied research by providing verifiable results. The fields of research where digital PCR applications are particularly noteworthy comprise medical research, including many aspects pertaining directly to human health.

Clinical Diagnostics

Obtaining reliable information on the health of patients is at the heart of clinical diagnostics. As part of laboratory testing methods, DPCR technology plays an important role in the clinical decision-making process. This technology ensures the samples being tested provide directly interpretable data in such fields as microbiology, parasitology, virology, hematology, toxicology, serology and more.

Prevention

Through proper identification of the risks or actual presence of pathogens, measures can be taken to limit the consequences of their development. Here again, Digital PCR assays, by participating in the early detection of such issues, help to ensure sensitive detection thanks to absolute quantification. Prenatal testing, cancer monitoring and transplant rejection monitoring are other areas where the benefits of Digital PCR technology may be felt very directly.

Treatment

As DPCR is a particularly effective technology to monitor the evolution of a medical condition, it is also useful as a means of assessing the efficiency of treatments such as chemotherapy (thanks to regular liquid biopsies). One of the main benefits of the method is how non-invasive it can be while retaining all its reliability.

 Environmental Testing

While the medical field is the most evident and direct one to benefit from the advances of Digital PCR, the detection of DNA contaminants also applies to different areas where sensitive quantification is required. Genetically modified organisms, water pollutants, and other elements which can be identified in environmental samples also demand to be quantified using highly reliable methods, such as Digital PCR assays.