Single Cell Genomics

By probing the DNA and RNA of individual cells, single-cell methods facilitate a granular understanding of genetic variations, cellular functions, and the complex mechanisms that drive health and disease.

What are the limitations of single-cell genomics? 

The complexity of biological tissues demands the analysis of vast numbers of single cells, ranging from several hundred to over one hundred thousand, to gain a comprehensive understanding of tissue composition and delve into sub-population biology and cell-cell interactions. When done manually, this is a huge amount of work that is both time and labor-intensive. Achieving high-quality sequencing libraries demands precise liquid handling at small volumes, introducing the risk of errors and sample loss. Moreover, the sheer scale of this work incurs significant costs, not only in sequencing but also in library generation. 

Driving throughput and efficiency through automation 

Our automated liquid handling solutions drive speed and efficiency in library generation, reducing the time required for high-quality library generation to as little as two hours. By relieving scientists of the substantial burden of manual pipetting, valuable time is freed up for more valuable tasks. Automation enables running protocols in 96 or 384-well formats simultaneously, significantly improving throughput in library generation. This accelerates data generation and scalability without imposing significant resource costs. 

Accelerating discoveries with miniaturization 

Miniaturization has emerged as a hero technique in single-cell genomics. The ability to generate high-quality libraries at a fraction of the volume makes single-cell techniques a more financially viable option for laboratories. Our dedicated miniaturization liquid handler, mosquito®, delivers accurate and precise pipetting down to 25 nL, enabling researchers to reach their throughput potential and drive discoveries at an accelerated pace. 

Value in versatility 

Given the dynamic nature of the field, new single-cell methods and library preparation kits are constantly emerging. As such, there is a pressing need for adaptable equipment that can accommodate these new chemistries. By utilizing positive displacement technology, our solutions handle accurately handle even the most viscous and challenging liquids at very low volumes. This versatility ensures compatibility across various kits and reagents, maintaining flexibility in experimental approaches. 

Enhancing single-cell workflows with SPT Labtech liquid handling

Our suite of automated liquid handling solutions - mosquito, firefly and dragonfly - enhance library preparation for single-cell sequencing experiments with their speed, accuracy and reliability.