Prism6 & Crystal Reader software User Manual
4
II. Introduction
1. Purpose of the document
This document provides general information for the use of the Prism6 instrument and its Crystal
Reader software
for Crystal Digital PCR™. The Prism6 workflow, using the Crystal Reader
software and the different hardware components, is described in detail. It is essential to read the
User Manual carefully and pay attention to the safety information provided. The instructions and
safety information in the User Manual must be followed to ensure the safe operation of the
instrument and to maintain the instrument in a safe condition.
All
documents
referenced
in
this
User
Manual
can
be
accessed
here:
https://www.stillatechnologies.com/technical-resources/naica-system-prism6/
2. O
verview of the Crystal Digital PCR™ Workflow
Crystal Digital PCR
™ is Stilla Technologies’ next-generation technology for the absolute
quantification of nucleic acids.
Using cutting-edge microfluidic innovations, this technology integrates the digital PCR process
in a single consumable (
Fig. 1
). The sample is first flowed through a network of microchannels
and partitioned into a large 2D array of 15,000 to 30,000 individual droplets (Sapphire chips) and
10,000 to 20,000 droplets (Opal chips), also called a droplet crystal. PCR is then performed within
the chips and the crystal is imaged to reveal the droplets that contain amplified targets. The last
step consists of counting the number of these positive droplets to precisely extract the absolute
quantity of nucleic acids.
With Crystal Digital PCR™, the combination of powerful image analysis and intuitive visual
inspection offers an unmatched level of confidence in the digital PCR measurement, yielding
data you can trust.
Sample loading
Generation of droplet crystal and
PCR
Reading and analysis
Prepare the sample for the
reaction
mix.
Stilla®
recommends the use of the
naica® PCR MIX reagents,
specifically developed for
Crystal Digital PCR™. Load
the reaction mix into the wells
of the selected chip, seal with
the provided caps.
Place the prepared chips into the
Geode.
Launch
the
combined
partitioning
and
amplification
program:
droplet
crystals
are
generated from each sample and
PCR amplification is performed
immediately after crystal generation.
After PCR, transfer the chips to the
Prism6 instrument. Set up the read-out
using Crystal Reader software for data
acquisition of droplet crystals using up
to 6 fluorescent channels (Blue, Teal,
Green, Yellow, Red and Infra-Red).
Image analysis and data extraction are
performed using the Crystal Miner
software.
Figure 1
: Overview of Crystal Digital PCR™ Workflow.
