- Label free measurement of target molecules
- Retrieve rare cells of interest in real time
- High throughput and low cost
- Customizable workflows
Spectra-Mine®
Spectra-Mine® brings the power of mass spectrometry to picodroplets. It provides a unique, label-free way to automatically identify and select your valuable cells based on mass spectrometry measurements. Our novel approach allows you assess hundreds of thousands of samples each day providing accurate, efficient, low-cost screening - without any fluorescence assays.
Picodroplets + mass spectrometry = results
Mass spectrometry is a powerful measurement technique, but it destroys the sample – not good when you’re looking for a rare cell. Using picodroplets this problem can be solved. Single cells are encapsulated in picodroplets, which retain analytes in each individual droplet. The droplets are incubated to promote cell growth and metabolic processes. Each picodroplet is then split into two daughter picodroplets without loss of the droplet content. One part is injected into the mass spectrometer for measurement using electrospray injection; the other part is kept in a flow channel. The spectrum is analyzed, and the second part selected to be retained if it is a ‘hit’ – all done automatically in real time.
Label-free measurement
Spectra-Mine® extends the power of picodroplets with label-free measurement for selection. Instead of developing a fluorescence assay – which is not always possible – assess your molecules of interest directly, particularly metabolites and other small molecules.
Retrieve your rare cells
Spectra-Mine® solves the problem of destructive measurement. Your cells – all derived from a single clone – are retained in a safe, low-stress picodroplet environment during the spectrum measurement and selected using our established electric-field based picodroplet selection technology.
Customizable workflows
Spectra-Mine® can be configured to match your workflow. Vary the ratio of daughter droplet sizes, include fluorescence or optical measurements, optimize the spectrum analysis algorithms… we work with you to deliver the results you need.
Learn more about Spectra-Mine®
Built on picodroplets
At the heart of our platforms are picodroplets. These are tiny droplets of aqueous fluid in an oil carrier fluid (‘single aqueous’), or an aqueous core surrounded by an oil shell in an aqueous carrier fluid ( ‘double aqueous’).
Each picodroplet is used to encapsulate a cell. This provides an ultra-miniaturized test tube, containing media, reagents and cells, that allows large-scale experiments at the single cell level.
These droplets can then be processed to build complex workflows to find the cells you care about.
Limitless applications
Spectra-Mine® can be used in numerous applications in life sciences R&D. Here are some examples to fire up your imagination.
Strain engineering
Determine the efficiency of engineered enzymes on native substrates
Bioprocessing
Identify high-expressing cell lines for small-molecule APIs
Interaction studies
Measure drug interactions with soluble proteins for structure-activity interaction studies
Resources & insights
We’re the droplet microfluidic technology company for single cell analysis and our customers are at the center of what we do
Our integrated,
automated platforms
increase efficiency,
delivering value.
Our unmatched
picodroplet technology
is future proof
Our platform is built upon robust evidence from key opinion leaders
Our collaboration with customers is
second to none
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