Highly multiplexed single-cell quantitative PCR

PLoS One. 2018 Jan 29;13(1):e0191601. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191601. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

We present a microfluidic device for rapid gene expression profiling in single cells using multiplexed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This device integrates all processing steps, including cell isolation and lysis, complementary DNA synthesis, pre-amplification, sample splitting, and measurement in twenty separate qPCR reactions. Each of these steps is performed in parallel on up to 200 single cells per run. Experiments performed on dilutions of purified RNA establish assay linearity over a dynamic range of at least 104, a qPCR precision of 15%, and detection sensitivity down to a single cDNA molecule. We demonstrate the application of our device for rapid profiling of microRNA expression in single cells. Measurements performed on a panel of twenty miRNAs in two types of cells revealed clear cell-to-cell heterogeneity, with evidence of spontaneous differentiation manifested as distinct expression signatures. Highly multiplexed microfluidic RT-qPCR fills a gap in current capabilities for single-cell analysis, providing a rapid and cost-effective approach for profiling panels of marker genes, thereby complementing single-cell genomics methods that are best suited for global analysis and discovery. We expect this approach to enable new studies requiring fast, cost-effective, and precise measurements across hundreds of single cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Limit of Detection
  • Microfluidics / instrumentation
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC, http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca) “Collaborative Health Research Projects” (grants 413633-12, CPG-121018) to C.L.H., NSERC (RGPIN 386152-10) to C.L.H., Genome BC (http://www.genomebc.ca), Genome Canada (http://www.genomecanada.ca), and Western Diversification (http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca). Salary support for M.V. and A.K.W. was provided by an NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Doctoral Scholarship, and for H.Z. by a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.