Objective

A number of different techniques are routinely used in the biopharmaceutical discovery and development workflow. These include single cell analysis, sorting, imaging and dispensing into individual wells of microtitre plates (MTPs). Traditionally, different instruments would be required for each technique; which is costly, time-consuming and requires extensive lab space that increases the risk of sample contamination. Picodroplet techniques allow for sophisticated and sensitive manipulation of cells at the single cell level. Cyto-Mine® technology is the first integrated device to automatically perform all of these crucial techniques in a single compact system. This high-throughput instrument uses picodroplet technology and microfluidics to process around 1 million heterogeneous mammalian cells in a few hours. Each cell is encapsulated in a picodroplet containing cell culture growth media, which acts as a bioreactor to compartmentalise the cell and let it grow; eventually trapping secreted molecules such as antibodies (Abs). Data will be presented showing rapid, ultra-sensitive Ab detection from single CHO, hybridoma and primary B-cells. The system also allows label-free selection and deposition of single cells into well of 96- and 384-well MTPs - ensuring high fidelity monoclonality assurance (required for FDA-approval of all monoclonal Abs).  Frank Gesellchen1, Elena Shvets1, Rhys Macown2, Enas Hassan2, Adeyemi Afuwape2 and Xin Liu1 1Sphere Fluidics Ltd., UK 2Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, UK