Single-cell analysis is accelerating understanding of disease and the discovery and development of biotherapies. But even as advances in cell-line development, CRISPR-mediated gene editing, rare cell isolation, monoclonal antibodies screening, and single-cell genomics improve human health, a critical challenge has persisted: the process of isolating individual cells is time-consuming and often causes damage or stress that alters cell function and reduces clonal viability. Traceability is also a concern, since monoclonality of therapeutic cell lines must be achieved and meticulously documented for regulatory bodies.
The DispenCell Single-Cell Dispenser, an automated laboratory instrument designed for fast, easy, and gentle single-cell isolation, addresses this frequent cell-line challenge. Developed by SEED Biosciences Ltd, a solutions provider focused solely on single-cell assays, and distributed in the U.S., Europe, and Asia by Molecular Devices, DispenCell delivers the immediate, traceable proof of monoclonality critical to a successful cell-line development. Just one round of cloning can be achieved on a single plate, lowering costs and reducing timelines compared to the three rounds of cloning often required when manually isolating a monoclonal cell population via dilution. This offers a significant improvement in efficiency and eliminates a major source of variability. Monoclonality reliability has been documented to exceed 90%.
Thoughtfully designed “for scientists by scientists,” DispenCell ensures gentle dispensing (less than 0.1 psi, comparable to manual pipetting) to ensure cell viability and cloning efficiency. A patented sensing tip acts as a Coulter counter, detecting the passage of cells and generating a unique electric signature to allow users to check for proof of clonality immediately after the cells are dispensed. All dispensing data is automatically stored by DispenSoft single-cell analysis software, allowing for easy generation of a clonality report. Setup is easy and intuitive, with no cleaning or calibration steps required. Patented, disposable tips, certified free from animal products and cytotoxic material, ensure clean isolation of single cells and no cross-contamination. The instrument’s compact size (328 x 271.5 x 369 mm3) means it can fit under a hood, on a bench, or in a pre-existing automated workflow.
DispenCell pairs particularly well with Molecular Devices’ CloneSelect® Imager FL to enhance, streamline, and assure monoclonality verification right from the start. The CloneSelect Imager FL adds high contrast multichannel fluorescent technology in addition to the standard white light imaging that allows for accurate single-cell detection and proof of monoclonality at day 0. When used in concert, gene edits can be identified and verified with comparative confluence assays. Evidence of single cells and confluency are digitally documented for auditing and submission to regulatory authorities, and cells can be imaged non-invasively at multiple time points to monitor colony formation.
Labs looking to ease bottlenecks in their single-cell cloning, CRISPR gene-editing, single-cell omics assays, and cell line development workflows with an efficient, plug-and-play solution should look no further than the DispenCell™ Single-Cell Dispenser.