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Roche Launches Next-Generation Digital PCR System

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 02 Sep 2022

Image: Digital LightCycler is designed to take dPCR to the next level for clinical applications (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Roche Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) has launched its first digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, the Digital LightCycler System that detects disease and is designed to accurately quantify trace amounts of specific DNA and RNA targets not typically detectable by conventional PCR methods. The next-generation system will allow clinical researchers to divide DNA and RNA from an already extracted clinical sample into as many as 100,000 microscopic individual reactions. The system can then perform PCR and produce highly sophisticated data analysis on the results.

For areas like oncology and infectious disease, the system provides new opportunities for researchers beyond what traditional PCR technology can achieve. This includes ultra rare targets, accurately quantifying how much of the target DNA or RNA there is at a molecular level, and other high precision analysis. The Digital LightCycler System provides flexibility for laboratories through three unique reaction plates allowing customization of the sample volumes used, the number of times a sample is partitioned (divided), and how many different tests can be run on a single sample (known as multiplexing). The system also features an easy workflow, moving from sample to results efficiently.

The Digital LightCycler System is intended for in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing and adds to Roche’s PCR ecosystem, building on the company’s founding legacy in PCR. Both solutions will be offered by Roche, providing a suite of molecular solutions to the healthcare community. The system will be available in 15 countries worldwide in 2022 with plans to launch into more countries in the near future. It will be CE-marked and has an FDA 510(k) exempt status.

"Understanding the hidden characteristics of serious diseases is fundamental for ensuring that the most effective treatment is selected for each patient," said Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “The Digital LightCycler System will support clinical researchers and laboratories in identifying rare and emerging disease mutations. This can be instrumental in early diagnosis and therapy decisions."

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