Bio-Techne Corporation announced the publication of a single-cell cloning workflow study using the Namocell(TM) Single Cell Dispenser in Nature Protocols: Efficient and safe single-cell cloning of human pluripotent stem cells using the chroman 1, emricasan, polyamines, and trans-ISRIB (CEPT) cocktail. This publication outlines a robust and scalable workflow for cloning human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that maximizes the viability of the cells using the Namocell Single Cell Dispenser. The use of the low-pressure microfluidic Namocell Single Cell Dispenser ensured gentle and rapid dispensing of single cells into 96- and 384-well plates, while the fast-acting CEPT cocktail minimized cellular stress and maintained cell structure and function immediately after single cell isolation.

The relative ease, scalability and robustness of this workflow was identified to boost gene editing in hPSCs supporting a wide range of applications, such as cell line development (e.g., reporter and isogenic cell lines), disease modeling and regenerative medicine. hPSCs are inherently sensitive cells a feature particularly evident when these cells are isolated and dispensed as single cells to establish clonal cell lines. The inefficiency in single cell cloning has created a major obstacle for using hPSCs in cell and gene therapy, which requires stable gene editing.

This publication outlines a specific protocol for the clonal selection, single cell dispensing, and outgrowth of the hPSCs that leads to both high viability and genomic stability. The Namocell Single Cell Dispenser is highlighted as a key instrument in this workflow because of its ability to quickly and gently isolate individual cells into a 96-well or a 384-well plate.