SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING DIGITAL PCR

摘要

Systems and methods are described for quantifying a target nucleic acid. A sample comprising a target nucleic acid is segregated into a first plurality of the reaction volumes containing at least one target nucleic acid molecule and a second plurality of the reaction volumes containing no target nucleic acid molecules. The reaction volumes are subjected to an amplification assay, wherein the amplification assay is configured to amplify the target nucleic acid. An indicator of amplification is detected or measured in at least some of the plurality of reaction volumes. The target nucleic acid is quantified based on the detection or measurement. After discontinuing the amplification assay, the plurality of reaction volumes may be heated and changes in the indicators of amplification of two or more of the at least some of the reaction volumes may be detected or measured.

主权项

1. A method for detecting and/or quantifying a nucleic acid, the method comprising:
segregating a sample comprising a target nucleic acid into a plurality of sample reaction volumes, wherein the plurality of sample reaction volumes include a first plurality of the sample reaction volumes each containing at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid and a second plurality of the sample reaction volumes each containing no molecules of the target nucleic acid; subjecting the plurality of sample reaction volumes to an amplification assay, wherein the amplification assay is configured to amplify the target nucleic acid; detecting or measuring indicators of amplification for at least some of the sample reaction volumes of the plurality of sample reaction volumes; discontinuing the amplification assay; and after discontinuing the amplification assay, heating the plurality of sample reaction volumes and detecting or measuring changes in the indicators of amplification for two or more of the at least some of the sample reaction volumes.