AmpliGrid AG480F

The art of downscaling biological reactions
Advalytix has modified high quality microscope slides with a semiconductor based technology to offer 48 independent hydrophilic reaction sites surrounded by a hydrophilic circle which hold aqueous reaction solutions, such as PCR buffers, in place.

The reaction sites are inactivated so that there is non-specific binding of biomolecules e.g. nucleic acids or proteins. Furthermore, AmpliGrid AG480F slides are certified RNA and DNA free.

Each aqueous droplet or reaction must be covered with 5 µL of a special sealing solution, supplied with the AmpliGrid AG480F slides, to prevent evaporation and cross-contamination. Two detailed images can be viewed showing the manual loading process and a cross section of the setup.

Due to the structured, two-dimensional layout of the AmpliGrid, single cells can be easily deposited on the slide surface by a flow cytometer, rendering a variety of single cell applications possible as well as providing full access to the “one-cell genome”.

One big advantage over other amplification platforms is the perfect flatness of the glass substrate which allows for precise optical control of the whole workflow using a microscope or a slide scanner. As a result, detecting single cells has never been easier.

The pattern of the reactions sites and the self centring effect of the surface treatments enables reaction set-up to be completed using pipetting robots as well as by hand. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions on the slide surface ensure that even after inaccurate pipetting the droplets will find their way to the correct position.

Advalytix has developed detailed protocols and solutions to add the sensitivity and economy of AmpliGrid to fully automated systems.

For low to medium throughput Advalytix developed an AmpliGrid specific upgrade for the Eppendorf epMotion series. For high throughput the AmpliGrid set-up can be automated using the Hamilton Microlab STAR.

For adding single cell molecular analysis to high throughput cell sorting our AmpliGrid slides can be integrated into the Beckman Coulter MoFlo™, Becton Dickinson FACSAria™ or FACSVantage™, and using our Flow cytometry Adaptor and Calibration Slides.

FACSAria™ and FACSVantage™ are registered trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company, USA