INTEGRA Helps To Streamline CRISPR Workflows, From Editing To Analysis
INTEGRA Biosciences has collaborated with biotechnology companies DropGenie and QUiCKR Bio to create efficient automated solutions for CRISPR editing and analysis. Miniaturizing low input CRISPR editing and fast edit confirmation can address both delivery challenges and analysis bottlenecks. INTEGRA provides the automation capability and liquid handling consistency required to streamline these 2 steps for faster and more reproducible workflows.
DropGenie, based in Montreal, Canada has developed a high throughput transfection device that reduces the number of cells required 100-fold compared to a conventional transfection workflow. The loading and offloading of the platform can be automated using a VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette mounted on an ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot from INTEGRA. Hugo Sinha, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of DropGenie, explained: “The ASSIST PLUS integrates seamlessly with our assay format and gently handles sensitive primary cells. The new set-up gives us full control over the pipetting speed and height – enabling bubble-free transfers that preserve cell integrity – and has demonstrated efficient CRISPR knockouts with excellent recovery and viability. The system is also compact, user friendly and high throughput, with a simple-to-operate, standardized workflow that is programmed using VIALAB software.”
Quantification of edits has historically been performed with long and complex workflows such as NGS or droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). INTEGRA has also partnered with QUiCKR Bio, based in New York, to accelerate this post-transfection edit quantification step. QUiCKR has developed a proprietary end-to-end kit and software-based solution enabling quantification of any DNA sequence with NGS-level accuracy in just 20 minutes. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of QUiCKR, Charles Blanluet explained: “The QUiCKR workflow only involves one step, but manually preparing the 384 well QUiCKR plate is tedious, time consuming and potentially error prone. We therefore realized early on that it would be important to partner with a liquid handling company to simplify this step. INTEGRA’s ASSIST PLUS, VIAFLO electronic pipette and MINI 96 multichannel pipette were very easy to use and implement, and the quality of the liquid handling matched the demands of our assay (<5 % CV). Automation on the ASSIST PLUS enables walk-away processing and increases reproducibility, and simultaneous pipetting of 96 samples with the MINI 96 further saves time and reduces variation. This reproducibility and speed enable us to generate accurate (0.96 r2 vs. NGS) results for up to 380 samples per hour.”
About INTEGRA Biosciences
INTEGRA Biosciences (www.integra-biosciences.com) is a leading provider of high quality laboratory tools and consumables for liquid handling. The company is committed to creating innovative solutions which fulfil the needs of its customers in research, diagnostics and quality control within the life sciences markets and medical sector. INTEGRA's portfolio also encompasses next generation sequencing (NGS) solutions, with automated workflows and magnetic bead-based reagents for reliable NGS sample preparation. INTEGRA's engineering and production teams in Zizers, Switzerland and Hudson, NH, USA, strive to develop and manufacture instruments and consumables of outstanding quality. Today, INTEGRA's innovative laboratory products are widely used all around the world where they help scientists accelerate scientific discovery. INTEGRA is an ISO 9001 certified company.
Source: INTEGRA Biosciences