A Single Cell Isolating System for Genomics Applications, Phase 1 I2I

UBC Isolatrix打印机将是一种具有成本效益的解决方案，可以满足许多用例中单细胞制备的未满足需求。目前的单细胞分离方法包括随机封装和微操作。遵循泊松分布的随机封装具有低填充因子和大量空孔或液滴，而目前使用显微操作的工具可以增加填充因子，但对细胞的剪切力很大，或者处理时间很长。我们的系统是一种高通量、基于喷墨的单细胞打印机，由专门的光学和机器视觉实现。我们已经建立了Isolatrix技术的基本参数，并通过测试证明该概念将在单细胞分配中发挥其预期作用。大于90%的单粒子分配率在每个分配粒子少于2秒的速度下实现。该系统被设计为兼容从标准微量滴定板到微孔芯片的一系列衬底足迹。在这个第一阶段项目中，我们将通过市场评估解决所提出的基本问题，并通过与我们在BC癌症研究中心的合作伙伴验证技术，我们将推进该技术并展示其在单细胞基因组学研究中的应用，使目前受限于单细胞分离所需时间的项目成为可能。

The UBC Isolatrix printer will be a cost-effective solution to fill an unmet need for single-cell preparation for numerous use cases. Current methods for single-cell isolation include random encapsulation and micromanipulation. Random encapsulation following the Poisson distribution gives a low fill factor with a large number of empty wells or droplets, while current tools using micromanipulation can increase the fill factor but with high shear force on cells, or high processing time. Our system is a high-throughput, inkjet based single-cell printer enabled by specialized optics and machine vision. We have already established the basic parameters of our Isolatrix technology, and demonstrated through testing that the concept will function for its intended purpose in single cell dispensing. Single-particle dispense rates of greater than 90% are achieved at a speed of less than 2 seconds per dispensed particle. The system is designed to be compatible with a range of substrate footprints ranging in size from standard microtiter plates to microwell chips. In this Phase 1 project we will address the essential questions asked through our Market Assessment, and through validation of the technology with our partner at the BC Cancer Research Centre, we will advance the technology and demonstrate its application for single-cell genomics studies, enabling projects that are currently limited by the time required for single cell isolation.