Separation of samples into single-cell solutions with the Singulator™ System from S2 Genomics

Single-cell genomics technologies have advanced to a point that allows profound insights into tissues with high resolution enabling studies across multiple individuals at the same time. Scientists are now able to explore the complexity of cellular diversity and intricacies of tissues, discovering diverse cell types with specific roles and functions, thereby linking key aspects of human biology to disease processes.

Sample Preparation

Whether samples are analysed by scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, snRNA-Seq, CITE-Seq or other ‘omics applications, one of the most important factors for data quality and thereby key to meaningful data, is sample quality. Results should be reproducible, and cells and nuclei isolated as quickly and efficient as possible to ensure high viability and yield. Finding the ideal protocol, as well as skilful hands, is a difficult task and can take a lot of time and effort.

Tissue Dissociation

The Singulator™ system by S2 Genomics, available from Dunn Labortechnik, simplifies tissue dissociations into single-cell suspensions and nuclei suspensions to the press of a button, reducing variability due to handling, and shortening isolation times to 6 – 80 minutes. Samples as low as 2 mg of tissue are transferred into specially designed cartridges, where the tissue is automatically mechanically disrupted, digested or lysed and filtered to remove large amounts of debris. Afterwards, the single-cell/single nuclei suspension is removed and can be used for downstream processing.

Singulator data

The system provides many pre-defined and validated protocols, and optimized reagents for many common tissues are available. At the same time, users can define and use their own reagents and protocols, including heating and cooling steps at 37 °C and 6 °C. The Singulator™ system supports fresh and frozen tissues, along with OCT and FFPE-imbedded samples. Also for difficult samples such as brain and neuronal tissues, where samples are precious and myelin sheath debris can be problematic during manual isolation, the Singulator™ system produces excellent results.