Abstract for Novo Nordisk Poster:

The Gel Microdrop technique from One Cell System offers an attractive alternative to limited dilution cloning when isolating high expression recombinant cells from a pool.

Briefly, cells are encapsulated in agarose gel beads containing biotin. After addition of streptavidin and a biotinylated antibody directed against the recombinant protein, the beads are incubated so that the protein is secreted, trapped in the beads and detected by a fluorescence conjugated antibody. By FACS sorting, a percentage of high secreters can be isolated.

We would like to share our experience using the system: sorting only from a pool of single cells in the beads, optimising the incubation period, setting up for selection of a new protein etc.

Evaluating the system two main points can be made: a) Compared to other FACS associated techniqes like GFP no transfection with a marker protein is needed. b) It can be difficult to obtain the antibodies needed for capture and detection, especially when studying new proteins.