The Fluidigm BioMark HD is a microfluidic, high-throughput instrument for real-time Q-RT-PCR of up to 9,216 reactions in a single run. The heart of the platform is a microfluidic chip called an “Integrated Fluidic Circuit (IFC)” into which are deposited amplification-ready templates (e.g., cDNA) and gene-specific assays (e.g., Taqman). The IFC performs automatic mixing of templates and assays in nanoliter amplification wells, followed by real-time PCR and data capture on the BioMark HD.
High-throughput IFCs can be run at the UMGC in three formats (# templates vs # assays): 1) 96.96 (9,216 reactions), 2) 48.48 (2,304 reactions) and 3) 192.24 (4,608 reactions). A fourth IFC also exists – the “FLEXsix IFC” – containing six independent 12.12 arrays that can be run independently for small-scale experiments or pilot runs.
Use of the Fluidigm BioMark involves two costs: 1) the IFC itself, 2) Chip processing. Chip processing may be performed by the UMGC (high-throughput IFCs), or by clients themselves, who therefore pay only for the instrument access (FLEXsix IFC).
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected].
The Biomark is only available as a self-serve device in the CoLab setting.
Location
The Biomark is housed in the UMGC CoLab space. The CoLab is located at 1-210 Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building (2231 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455) on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota.
Additional location details:
- Building access: A Ucard is needed to enter the CCRB building.
- Lab location: Using the main CCRB entrance, the 1-210 CCRB lab is the first hallway on the left and the second door on the left.
Training
Training is required to use the Biomark and receive Ucard access to the lab. New users will begin with an orientation to the CoLab and can schedule an orientation time here. After orientation, a separate time will be scheduled to train on the Biomark instrument. If you have general questions about the CoLab and training, contact Aaron Becker, the CoLab Lead, at [email protected].
CoLab
The CoLab is located within the UMGC’s CCRB facility and features dedicated, fully equipped lab benches for individual use and 1,000 square feet of amenities, standard equipment, specialized instrumentation, and freezer storage. Altogether, UMGC staff have decades of technical experience and extensive knowledge of instrumentation and workflows to share. Training and bench space access are provided at no cost to UMN researchers.