A single-cell dispenser is a piece of automation-ready laboratory equipment that enables researchers to isolate individual cells quickly, easily, and without compromising cell viability and integrity for a variety of downstream processes that require that require single cells, for example the generation of monoclonal cell lines.

CYTENA’s single-cell dispensers utilize microfluidics technology to isolate and dispense single cells at very low-pressure precisely. It consists of a dispensing chip that rapidly produces microdroplets from the sample inside a disposable cartridge, combined with high-resolution optical microscopy and real-time image analysis to guarantee the dispensing of single cell into individual wells of a microplate.

All our single-cell dispensers are compatible with 96- and 384-well plate formats for single cell isolation. Plate imaging using the UP.SIGHT can further be performed in well plates ranging from 24- to 6-well plates.

The UP.SIGHT™, F.SIGHT 2.0™, F.SIGHT OMICS™, and B.SIGHT™ are standardly equipped with a 488 nm laser, which can be replaced with a 561 nm laser upon request.

A single-cell dispenser enables researchers to isolate individual cells quickly and without compromising cell viability. Compared to traditional single-cell isolation methods like limiting dilution or the use of FACS systems, using a single-cell dispenser is faster, more accurate, ensures monoclonality, and facilitates documentation for IND and BLA submissions.

Yes, CYTENA’s award-winning single-cell dispensers allow gating based on morphology and fluorescence when a mixed cell sample is used to give you confidence in your single-cell analysis.

CYTENA’s single-cell dispensers have a single-cell dispensing efficiency of > 97% and a probability of clonal derivation > 99.99% allowing you to get on with your downstream bioprocess development with peace of mind.

Our single-cell dispensers are compatible with mammalian, insect, and microbial cells. Any mammalian cell up to 40 µm in diameter, and microbial cells up to 20 µm, can be dispensed and isolated with the device. Some common cell types used with a CYTENA single-cell dispenser include CHO cells, HEK293 cells, iPSCs, T cells, primary cells, yeast cells, bacterial cells, microbiome, and environmental samples.

The minimal sample volume is 5 µl. The maximal volume recommended is 80 µl. However, if dispensing several plates, 100 µl might increase the durability of the cartridge.

We recommend cell concentrations ranging from 0.5×10⁶ to 1.0×10⁶ cells/ml for mammalian cells.

Recommended optical density for bacteria: OD600 = 0.005 – 0.03

Recommended optical density for yeast: OD600 = 0.1 – 0.5

The droplet volume for a 20×20 µm nozzle is ~50 pl (B.SIGHT only), and a 40×40 µm nozzle is ~200 pl for our single-cell dispenser cartridges.

Our 2^nd generation of single-cell dispensers can be integrated into an automated environment. The lid opening and closing can be automated, and our instruments are compatible with standard automation arms and grippers, as well as third-party automation clients.

Yes, we provide application support for our customers to guide them toward obtaining optimal results with various cell types.

Isolation of single cells into a 96-well plate takes only 2 minutes, while a 384-well plate takes about 8 minutes. The duration may vary depending on the sample concentration, but our single-cell dispensers are designed with ease and speed in mind.

Yes, the device uses image-based sorting and isolation. You can observe the cells in real time as they pass through the nozzle, and during isolation, the system will document the nozzle images associated with each well.

To observe isolated cells using 3D well imaging and monitor clonal growth afterward with the plate imaging function, opt for our UP.SIGHT all-in-one single-cell dispenser.

The F.SIGHT OMICS and B.SIGHT single-cell dispensers can be used for mammalian and microbial single-cell genomics, respectively. They, for example, enable the isolation of single cells directly into PCR well plates.

The dispensing cartridge is the only consumable associated with the single-cell dispensers. The cartridges are designed for single use to prevent cross-contamination.

You can access all the resources in our Resource Hub. For specific support, our single-cell dispensers and other products are sold with service contracts to ensure that our team is on hand to share their breadth of expertise. For anything else just get in touch—we are happy to help.