C1^TM System Provides Simplest, Most Sensitive Method to Investigate Gene Regulation

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- August 1, 2013 -- Fluidigm today announced it has added microRNA (miRNA) Expression Profiling to its C1^TM Single-Cell Auto Prep System, providing the ability to unlock the secrets of miRNA in single cells. The new protocol equips researchers with the simplest, fastest and most flexible workflow available to co-amplify hundreds of miRNAs in an individual cell while processing up to 96 cells in parallel. 

"Fluidigm is committed to expanding our single-cell applications menu so researchers can explore cellular networks at the system level," said Candia Brown, Director, Single-Cell Genomics, Fluidigm.  "Our customers need an expanded toolkit to explore both gene expression and gene regulation in biological pathways.  By adding single-cell miRNA expression to our application menu, we are providing simplicity, speed and scale to answer these complex questions."

This is the third single-cell genomic application enabled on the C1 system.  The C1 system portfolio also includes single-cell messenger RNA (mRNA) sequencing for whole transcriptome analysis and targeted gene expression analysis. The C1 system is the only instrument on the market today that can automatically and reliably isolate, verify and process live single cells. In combination with the BioMark^TM HD System, the C1 system can generate more than 9,200 data points per run.

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate mRNA expression. It is widely known that miRNAs regulate thousands of human protein-coding genes that are involved in all biological processes, such as differentiation, development, and cell cycle management. miRNAs have also been shown to be associated with many common diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Using Fluidigm's C1 Single-Cell Auto Prep System with Fluidigm's BioMark HD System, geneticists and clinical researchers have a complete solution that enables them to examine the differences in gene regulation among single cells.  Investigators can now correlate mRNA and miRNA expression to predict biological pathway regulation.

Researchers want to understand the role miRNAs play in regulating biological pathways but miRNA expression profiling has proven challenging for two reasons. First, a single miRNA can target multiple mRNA targets and therefore can regulate several biological systems.  This biological phenomenon is a contributing factor in cell-to-cell variability and can make it difficult to interpret miRNA targets. Studying miRNA expression at the single-cell level allows researchers to measure the rapid and dynamic changes that occur in some cells within the same population. Second, traditional methods have significant workflow challenges. Microarrays are labor intensive, lack sensitivity, have inflexible content, and require days to process a sample. Although real-time PCR offers greater sensitivity than microarrays, non-microfluidic-based technologies can be too cost prohibitive and time consuming to run large scale studies. 

The C1 Single-Cell Auto Prep System is the world's first commercially available, automated single cell isolation and preparation system for genomic analysis. The C1 system provides an easy and highly reproducible workflow to process up to 96 single cells per run across multiple genomic applications, while requiring minimal amounts of hands-on time. This system, based on Fluidigm's innovative microfluidic technology, enables researchers to rapidly and reliably isolate, verify, extract, reverse transcribe, amplify, and ultimately detect and analyze cell activity using just one technology, reducing the variability caused by multi-platform technical errors. The C1 system further provides the flexibility to stain live cells to confirm the isolation and viability of each cell.

For more information about Fluidigm's new miRNA Expression Profiling on its C1^TM Single-Cell Auto Prep System, please visit  www.fluidigm.com/c1system.

USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to Fluidigm's product and marketing plans, development, objectives, expectations and/or strategies. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, launching, marketing, and selling new products.  Information on these and additional risks affecting Fluidigm's business and operating results are contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Fluidigm disclaims any obligation to update these statements.

About Fluidigm

Fluidigm (NASDAQ:FLDM) develops, manufactures, and markets microfluidic systems to leading academic institutions, clinical laboratories, and pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and agricultural biotechnology companies in growth markets, such as single-cell genomics, applied genotyping, and sample preparation for targeted resequencing. Fluidigm's proprietary microfluidic systems consist of instruments and consumables, including 13 different commercial IFCs for nucleic acid analysis, and three families of assay chemistries. These systems are designed to significantly simplify experimental workflow, increase throughput, and reduce costs, while providing the excellent data quality demanded by customers. Fluidigm products are provided: For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

For more information, please visit www.fluidigm.com.

Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, C1 and BioMark are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation.

Contact

Michaeline Bunting
Senior Director, Marketing
Fluidigm Corporation
650 737 4190
michaeline.bunting@fluidigm.com