Enabling the screening of millions of cells - Industrialization of picodroplet technology

Single-cell analysis provides valuable insights into individual cell variability that is not obvious at the population level. Such analyses are of particular interest in antibody discovery and cell line development, where the objective is to find that rare antibody or best antibody producer in a pool of secreting cells. In this seminar, I will outline how Sphere Fluidics has industrialized picodroplet technology to enable the screening of large numbers of cells and subsequently isolate rare or “high producer” cells. Further, a new research instrument that is currently being developed in partnership with Heriot-Watt University will be presented - this instrument will enable the rapid and accurate encapsulation of cells in picodroplets, which can then be used downstream biological applications.