Stem Cell and Single Cell Gene Expression
Stem Cells Analysis
Stem cells hold the promise of breakthroughs in fields as varied as cancer research, regenerative medicine and developmental biology. To date, however, there remain fundamental questions about stem cell behavior. For example, what genes control stem cell development or how can these genes be used to make stem cells useful as model systems or as medical therapies?
Until recently, scientists investigating these questions had to settle for measuring gene expression within samples consisting of populations of stem cells; the problem with this approach is that it measures gene expression as an average for all cells in the sample—not the variances among individuals. Without the ability to study individual cells, it is impossible to discern between genes that are consistently differentially regulated versus those that have a tendency toward stochastic changes, according to Mylene Yao, M.D., assistant professor, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University.
Single Cell Analysis
The discovery of wide variations in gene expression among cells in the same population has precipitated a molecular biology renaissance. In bacteriology, for example, researchers have realized an ability to analyze microbial communities on an individual cell basis may lead to discovery of strains that are important to solving the world’s environmental and food problems. In immunology, basic researchers want to be able to characterize cells within subsets of high and low expressers—ratios that may be the key to understanding important biological mechanisms.
Fluidigm Dynamic Array™ IFCs
Leveraging the power of integrated fluidic circuits for single cell research
At last, scientists have a practical means to rapidly achieve new insights from single cell analysis. Fluidigm Dynamic Array™ chips enable 100s of individual cells to be tested for the expression of 100s of genes in a few hours, using off-the-shelf reagents and standard analysis tools. Just as important, the Dynamic Array chip provides workflow ease-of-use and complete flexibility of assay configuration, just as with microwell plates, but without the tedious liquid-transfer steps.
Key Benefits of the Dynamic Array™ IFC
- Throughput of 100s of cells against 100s of genes per experiment
- Fast and simple workflow
- Proven results
Success Stories
- Intracellular Gene Expression Profiles Revealed with Real-time PCR Tomography
Dr. Mikael Kubista – Head of the Gene Expression Laboratory at the Institute of Biotechnology AS CR, v. v. i. and founder of the TATAA Biocenters - Single-embryo Gene Expression for Early Embryo Development
Mylene Yao, M.D. – Assistant Professor, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University
Resources
Publications
- Leong, D. E., Hahn-Windgassen, A., Foygel, K., Jun, S., Behr, B., Yao, M.W.M. 2009. Morpholino-mediated gene knockdown in the early mouse embryo. Nat Prot [Protocols Network] View Protocol
- Sato, T., Onai, N., Yoshihara, H., Arai, F., Suda, T., Ohteki, T. 2009 Jun. Interferon regulatory factor-2 protects quiescent hematopoietic stem cells from type I interferon-dependent exhaustion. Nat Med. 15(6):696-700. Access Article
- Haston, K.M., Tung, J.Y., Reijo Pera, R.A. 2009 May 21. Dazl functions in maintenance of pluripotency and genetic and epigenetic programs of differentiation in mouse primordial germ cells in vivo and in vitro. PLoS ONE. 4(5):e5654 Download pdf
More on the Fluidigm publications page…
Research Posters
- BioMark Dynamic Arrays for Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis
- Single-cell Gene Expression Analysis Using a Nanofluidic Platform
Products & Applications
- BioMark™ System for Genetic Analysis
- Fluidigm Dynamic Array™ Chips
- Fluidigm Gene Expression Quantification
- Fluidigm Single Cell Gene Expression
Product Overview Videos