Single Cell Genomics
Single cell genomics has revolutionized the study of cellular heterogeneity. New approaches, including single cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), help identify and define cell subtypes. Single cell RNA-seq workflows fall into two primary methodological categories: droplet-based and plate-based.
Droplet-based RNA-seq
(such as 10x Genomics’ Chromium system) captures more cells per assay than plate-based methods, but is limited to covering only the 3’ UTRs of transcripts, resulting in libraries where only ~1,000 genes per cell are detected. Consequently, this approach cannot capture rare or lowly-expressed transcripts.
Plate-based RNA-seq
Entails sequencing full-length transcripts and enables detection of more than 10,000 genes per cell. To isolate single cells in plates, traditional FACS instruments are too harsh, damaging cell integrity and inducing stress-related transcriptional changes. Namocell’s Single Cell Dispensers operate at low pressure, dramatically improving library quality for plate-based single cell RNA-seq.

Following sample collection, single cells are easily isolated by loading the cell suspension into Namocell’s proprietary microfluidic cartridges and dispensing into 96- or 384-well plates pre-loaded with lysis buffer. Following single cell isolation, cells are ready for multiple downstream genomic applications, including single cell RNA-seq.
Namocell Benefits

Gentle
Gentle sorting (< 2 psi) preserves cell integrity
Benefit
Easy to use, no need for in-house technical experts
Fast
Dispense single cells into 96-well plate in 1 min, or 384-well plate in 6 min
Affordable
Reduce reaction volume, cut reagent costs by 90
Easy
Easy to use, no need for in-house technical experts
Dispensing Efficiency
Following sample collection, single cells are easily isolated by loading the cell suspension into Namocell’s proprietary microfluidic cartridges and dispensing into 96- or 384-well plates pre-loaded with lysis buffer. Following single cell isolation, cells are ready for multiple downstream genomic applications, including single cell RNA-seq.

Namocell vs. FACS

Namocell’s Hana Single Cell Dispenser was used to sort cells for single cell RNA-seq alongside a traditional FACS instrument. Cells sorted with Hana showed markedly higher numbers of reads and genes detected per cell (post-filtering), higher mapping rates, and lower fractions of mitochondrial reads.
Cells sorted with a FACS instrument showed induction of cell stress genes such as Ubiquitin C (Ubc), likely owing to high-pressure sorting conditions (20-70 psi). Cells sorted on the low-pressure Hana system (<2 psi) showed much lower expression of these stress-related transcripts.



Namocell’s Namo Single Cell Dispenser was used to sort CHO cells for clonal outgrowth alongside both limiting dilution (LDC) and a FACS. Cells sorted with Namo showed higher cloning efficiencies than LDC and FACS.