NanoString nCounter – 2020 System

Description

NanoString nCounter – 2020 System

The NanoString nCounter analysis system brings you a highly accurate and multiplexing means of analyzing up to 800 targets with very little hands-on time. This nanostring technology consists of two parts, the nCounter prep station, and the digital analyzer. Each of these instruments is stand-alone and doesn’t require a controlling PC. Instead, they feature touch screen control and an easy-to-navigate interface. Users can also connect the analyzer and prep station to a network to enable data delivery, though they don’t connect.

The NanoString nCounter Prep Station consists of a multichannel pipetting robot, a pipette tip rack, a liquid waste container, a solid waste container, and silicone grease. Hybridized samples, set up according to the protocol outlined, are placed in the prep station, then the instrument handles the rest, either transferring liquid, performing magnetic bead separations, or immobilizing molecular labels. This nanostring technology liquid handler can work with up to 12 channels per run and completes in roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. Samples are purified and immobilized in a sample cartridge and are ready to move onto the Digital Analyzer.

Once this is ready the prepared sample is brought into the Nanostring nCounter Analysis System, the run can begin and once it’s completed, results are available for direct download. The nCounter Digital Analyzer uses a multi-channel epifluorescence scanner that’s built for these sample cartridges. Up to 6 of these cartridges can be loaded for sequential processing at a time. Users can select the resolution they want their samples imaged. The lower the resolution, the few images the analyzer will take and the faster the turnaround. For more complex and data-rich results users can select the MAX FOV which will image 555 images per sample, this will increase processing time.

Images in the Nanostring nCounter are processed internally, and each lane in the cartridge produces one RCC (Reporter Code Count) file. These results can be downloaded via USB for further analysis. The resulting process is only 15 Minutes of Total Hands-on Time. Day one, set up Hybridization according to the assay to be performed, Day two: set up the automated Prep Station with reagents and consumables from the nCounter Master Kit. Once that’s complete,  take the prepared cartridge and place it into the digital analyzer for counting. The nCounter analysis system will handle the rest, bringing users up to 10,000’s data points a day.

The Nanostring nCounter system utilizes panel kits for highly accurate and cost-effective analysis that is easy to set up. CodeSets allow for the study of large numbers of genes while conserving precious samples, resulting in fewer hands-on time, lowered expense, and quicker turnarounds. Entire biological pathways and custom gene signatures can now be studied for single cells and the flexibility of the single tube assay allows interrogation of the exact gene number of interest. Because the nCounter can analyze up to 800 genes in a single tube, users won’t have to partition or minimize amplification cycles.

Panel kits from the nanostring analysis system include gene expression panels, single-cell panels, miRNA Discovery panels, a Human Karyotype panel, and a Cancer CN panel.