Digital PCR

Discover - Digital PCR

Finding a needle in a haystack

Researchers performing sensitive applications such as copy number variation and rare target detection often find themselves struggling to identify faint genetic signals against a strong background, especially when it is a single positive lost in a dense pool of negatives. Finding the rare allele or mutant sequence is a typical needle in a haystack problem! By partitioning the sample into a large number of individual reactions, digital PCR makes it surprisingly easy to detect the single positive. It is in such instances where the lower limit of detection excludes standard real-time quantitative PCR as a viable solution.

At QIAGEN, our mission is to empower you with everything you need to overcome challenges in real-time and digital PCR research applications. In the end, finding a needle in a haystack might not remain as challenging as it sounds.

START THE QUEST

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Webinars, stories and more

New! Protein quantification by dPCR
Digital PCR on the QIAcuity doesn’t have to be limited to DNA and RNA quantification any longer. Actome’s pioneering Protein Interaction Coupling (PICO) technology extends QIAcuity’s reach beyond genomics into proteomics, enabling a highly versatile and sensitive approach to detect and quantify single proteins and protein interactions.
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Transfer and optimize dPCR assays with ease – top 10 FAQs
Following a live webinar, expert John Chuckalovcak answers some frequently asked questions about best practices and guidelines for optimizing your digital PCR assays on the QIAcuity system.
Find the answers
Sensitive mutation analysis of cfDNA by dPCR Q&As
On May 12, our panel of experts will answer your questions and share their tips for sensitive mutation analysis of cfDNA by digital PCR. We’re looking forward to a lively discussion about cfDNA sample processing and quantifying rare targets of interest.
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Expert webinar series
Our digital PCR webinar topics range from an introduction to the technology to in-depth discussions on how the new nanoplate-based digital PCR solution is combining the familiarity of qPCR workflows with the power of partitioning to transform your research.
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A simple and rapid workflow
It’s a single, fully integrated system streamlining partitioning, thermal cycling and imaging, generating results under 2 hours. This interactive demo illustrates the complete QIAcuity Nanoplate dPCR workflow step-by-step.
SEE AN INTERACTIVE DEMO

Experts value the precision of digital PCR

"Digital PCR allows precise, reliable, inferences of methylation levels and allows us to take epigenetics from the laboratories into the future of precision medicine."

Dr. Rob Philibert,
CEO of Behavioral Diagnostics

Video recorded prior to COVID-19

"We have used digital PCR because we needed a very good method with good sensitivity. We used it because we are sure the sensitivity is better, and there is a good precision. "

Peter Böhm and Nina Kjersgaard,
Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen

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Realize the full potential of digital PCR

Find the top applications to be covered by our new assays.

DISCOVER APPLICATIONS

Meet the 2021 APHL dPCR grant winner

Dr. Abelardo Moncayo, Director of the Vector-Borne Diseases Program, Tennessee Department of Health, is the 2021 recipient of QIAGEN's Digital PCR Technology Access Grant in partnership with APHL. Hear how he intends to use digital PCR in guiding research and surveillance strategies against mosquitoes and ticks.

New to dPCR?

If you’re ready to enter the world of dPCR, but don’t know where to start, this educational hub covers key topics designed for beginners.

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Transforming the PCR experience

Video recorded prior to COVID-19

If your future is digital, why shouldn't your PCR be, too? Imagine keeping the familiarity and ease of qPCR but gaining the higher sensitivity and precision of digital PCR, without prolonging the time to scientific insight. The QIAcuity, QIAGEN's fully integrated nanoplate-based digital PCR system, has been designed with your research needs and the limitations of the currently available methods in mind. It's time to simplify the transition from qPCR and prepare your critical research applications for the changing landscape of digital PCR.

Scalability
- Low- to high-throughput instrument configurations – 1-, 4- and 8-plate
- Up to 2 integrated thermocyclers
Throughput
Samples processed in a work day can increase from 96 to 1248 samples depending on the plate (24- and 96-well) and instrument (1-, 4- and 8-plate) configuration used
Multiplexing
- Up to 5 detection channels (2-plex and 5-plex; exclusive of reference)
Time to result
- Simple and rapid plate-based workflow takes users from sample to result in under 2 hours
Sensitivity
- Fixed partition size and volume
- Partition number and input volume per well depending on the plate configuration used – approx. 8500 or 26,000 partitions per well

Advantages over droplet digital PCR technology

The nanoplate-based technology offers significant benefits over droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). These include:

• Fixed partitions prevent variation in size and coalescence
• Sealed nanoplates prevent well to well contamination
• Faster readout possible due to simultaneous reading of all partitions of a sample
• User-friendly, familiar plates are easy to pipet just like for qPCR
• Plates are amenable to front-end automation

Video recorded prior to COVID-19

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It is easy to use the QIAcuity

Transition into a simple and rapid digital PCR workflow.

VIEW WORKFLOW

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Delve into digital

The future belongs to digital PCR
Internal and external experts share insights into how digital PCR brings accuracy and precision to molecular measurements, and how the new QIAcuity nanoplate dPCR can become a reality for every lab in the future.
WATCH VIDEO INTERVIEWS
PCR at the crossroads
When it comes to molecular biology and genomics research involving nucleic acid quantification, scientists often find themselves standing at the crossroads. The choice of technology is application dependent.
SEE FULL ARTICLE
Expert webinar series
Our digital PCR webinar topics range from an introduction to the technology to in-depth discussions on how the new nanoplate-based digital PCR solution is combining the familiarity of qPCR workflows with the power of partitioning to transform your research.
WATCH NOW
The magic is inside
It’s in the seamless integration of all dPCR workflow components into an all-in-one walkaway instrument, delivering the speed and throughput every laboratory needs. The microfluidic nanoplate technology puts every run ahead of the curve with its precision and sensitivity.
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