Fluidigm launches 192.24 Dynamic Array integrated fluidic circuit for genome studies

Fluidigm Corporation (NASDAQ:FLDM) today introduced its 192.24 Dynamic Array™ IFC, designed to genotype 192 samples against 24 SNP assays in a single run, providing 4,608 data points in just one hour. The 192.24 integrated fluidic circuit (IFC) has immediate applicability in agricultural biotechnology and genome wide association studies.

Fluidigm's latest integrated fluidic circuit features an innovative design that greatly increases sample throughput for common SNP genotyping applications. Using the new Fluidigm IFC Controller RX, the new Dynamic Array IFC enables sample loading within 30 minutes, and thermal cycling in another 30 minutes, resulting in a greatly accelerated workflow. The power to deliver 4,608 data points in one hour makes the Fluidigm system the fastest commercially practical genotyping solution in the industry today. The 192.24 Dynamic Array chip addresses the high throughput needs of genotyping by providing a four-fold increase in sample throughput when compared to the 48.48 Dynamic Array IFC.

This accelerated workflow and increased throughput enables more data points, while the 192.24 chip retains Fluidigm's 99.75 percent or greater call accuracy and 99 percent or greater call rates. The new chip can be read using either the BioMark™ HD or EP1™ Systems.

"The Fluidigm 192.24 Dynamic Array chip enables life science researchers to achieve ultra-low cost, and rapid throughput while maintaining full assay and reagent flexibility. Providing the ability to use fewer SNP assays, and run a high number of samples is a format that is ideal for some applications in Ag-Bio and for GWAS follow-up studies," said Gajus Worthington, Fluidigm president and chief executive officer.

The 192.24 is particularly suited to take advantage of Fluidigm's new SNPtype™ Assays for genotyping. While the 192.24 Dynamic Array chip will support all industry-standard assays, SNPtype Assays offer a low-cost SNP genotyping solution, are made on-demand, and are ready to meet high-throughput needs for a wide range of agricultural applications and confirmation of next-generation sequencing results.

Fluidigm IFCs, including the 192.24 chip, use just microliters of materials, allowing scientists to achieve comprehensive genetic profiling from miniscule amounts of sample. Each reaction chamber in the 192.24 chip requires only eight nanoliters of material. In addition, all Fluidigm Dynamic Array IFCs feature a matrix-style architecture that automatically assembles every possible reaction between the samples and the assays providing up to 99 percent fewer pipetting steps than needed when using 384-well plates.