Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR)

Precision diagnostics for cancer. COVID-19 surveillance in wastewater. Quality control of cell and gene therapies. These were just a few of the cutting-edge applications on display at the Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) World 2021 symposium. Recapping the event in 5 takeaways, moderator Francisco Bizouarn shares how international experts are leveraging ddPCR technology to solve today’s scientific and public health problems.

No patient who has survived cancer wants to hear that they’ve relapsed. But hearing it sooner rather than later can dramatically increase the chances of finding a successful, potentially life-saving treatment. Using next-generation sequencing and Droplet Digital PCR, researchers at the University of Uppsala aim to detect relapse by monitoring patient-specific biomarkers. Read about their ongoing clinical study.

While the FDA has approved Abecma, the first CAR-T cell therapy in its class, regulatory approval is just the beginning for cell and gene therapies. Such therapies’ safety and financial viability rest on a robust manufacturing and quality control program with the flexibility to scale up and out. Droplet Digital PCR is a sensitive biopharmaceutical quality control tool, offering absolute quantification of nucleic acids and other molecules in a sample.

Developing adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapies requires accurate and precise quality control. Read how Droplet Digital PCR technology provides the sensitivity needed to assess the potential safety and effectiveness of these treatments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has captured the attention of the world and won’t let go. And that has sparked efforts for creative solutions in some surprising places. Wastewater is not where most peoples’ minds go first when they think of airborne diseases, but it holds much promise for tracing and predicting SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are some of the most commonly used viral vectors for gene therapy, supporting approximately 250 clinical trials to date. However, the manufacturing processes are challenging to scale. Read about five key issues that gene therapy manufacturers who use AAVs need to look out for.

From quantifying a patient’s tumor DNA to counting the viral load of an individual infected with COVID-19, the breadth of digital PCR (dPCR) applications continues to grow and fulfill critical scientific needs. dPCR offers the ability to count nucleic acid molecules directly, rather than extrapolating the quantity from standard curves as with many other methods. By harmonizing diagnostic procedures on dPCR platforms, the scientific and medical communities can become more coordinated and efficient.

Presented by: Matthew L. Turner, PhD, Field Application Scientist – ddPCR, NGC and qPCR, Tara Ellison, PhD, Senior Field Application Scientist

Date: June 17, 2020
Time: 9 AM, U.S. Pacific time

• Robust methodology for viral titer using ddPCR
• Precise copy number determination & improved confidence in acceptance criteria
• Enhance your throughput and minimize hands-on time
• Learn how ddPCR is used in other key applications

Multiplexing with Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) allows for improved sensitivity and precision, as well as increased low-level detection in limited sample types like liquid biopsies. Learn about amplitude and probe-mixing multiplexing and how our ddPCR Assays can help set you up for multiplexing success.

Disease-associated mutations can be prognostic of outcome and inform treatment choices. However, traditional tissue biopsies limit the ability to implement personalized treatments. Read about how multiplex digital PCR can enable the tracking of treatment efficacy using liquid biopsies.