QX600 droplet digital PCR (ddpcr) system
The QX600 is Bio-Rad's latest Droplet Digital PCR platform, partitioning samples into thousands of nanoliter-sized droplets for absolute quantification of DNA/RNA — used in food safety for STEC confirmation and GMO quantification.
Overview
Droplet Digital PCR partitions each sample into up to 20,000 uniform nanoliter-sized droplets using microfluidics, then amplifies target sequences independently in each droplet. After PCR, positive and negative droplets are counted to provide absolute quantification without standard curves. In food safety, ddPCR is used for GMO quantification (validated methods for routine evaluation) and for STEC confirmation where it can determine whether virulence genes co-exist in a single bacterium — something conventional PCR cannot do. The QX600 offers three configurations (E, S, HT) scaling from everyday workflows to high-throughput demands with walkaway automation.
Technical specifications
- Technology: water-oil emulsion droplet partitioning + end-point PCR + two-color optical detection
- Partitioning: up to 20,000 uniform nanoliter-sized droplets per sample
- Throughput: 96 samples per run; HT configuration for high-throughput labs
- Configurations: QX600 E (essential), S (standard), HT (high-throughput)
- Food safety applications: STEC virulence gene co-localization, GMO quantification, pathogen detection
- Quantification: absolute — no standard curves required
- Software: QX Manager Software with food safety-specific analysis modules
Technology readiness level
TRL 9 — commercially established platform with validated food safety applications and global adoption.
About Bio‑Rad Laboratories
Bio-Rad Laboratories is a global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of specialized products for the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets. The company provides a comprehensive suite of instruments, reagents, quality control solutions, and data analysis tools that support complex biological study, diagnostic accuracy, and process management. By operating a global network of research, development, and manufacturing facilities, Bio-Rad enables the transformation of experimental questions into actionable scientific and clinical outcomes.
These solutions are critical for universities, research institutions, hospitals, biopharmaceutical companies, and food safety laboratories seeking to advance scientific discovery and improve patient healthcare. Their products assist in diverse applications including bioprocessing, drug discovery, genomics, and various clinical diagnostic tests. With over 70 years of industry presence, the company serves as a vital partner for researchers and clinicians who rely on high-quality, standardized tools to ensure reliable results, advance medical understanding, and ultimately save lives.
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