A workflow combining high-accuracy cell sorting with multiplex digital PCR for single-cell gene expression analysis

With the cellenONE-QIAcuity workflow, we achieved high-throughput absolute quantification of low-abundance targets at the single-cell level. cellenONE’s single-cell isolation platform enabled real-time and 100% accurate single-cell isolation without compromising viability and transcript expression. This allowed us to use the exact number of intact cells for RT-dPCR reactions. Moreover, the elimination of the RNA purification step significantly reduced hands-on time, and QIAcuity’s probe-based chemistry allowed the multiplexing of up to five targets in a one-step RT-dPCR format with no or minimal optimization.