Digital PCR estimates the copy number concentration of a particular target in a sample by performing limiting dilution of the sample into discrete partitions prior to PCR. Following PCR the proportion of positive partitions, which contain amplicons, in the reaction is used to estimate the copy number concentration without the need of a calibration curve. This quantification approach gives a highly accurate and precise copy number estimate of target nucleic acid molecules in a sample and can distinguish between single nucleotide changes and identify and quantify minority targets.

This workshop will provide an overview of the principles of digital PCR including discussions on how the dMIQE (Minimal Information for publication of Quantitative Digital PCR Experiments). Focus will be on the experimental design and analysis for investigation of single cells or rare sequence detection. Advanced assay design will be covered where the partitioning can be used to support more complex measurements such as tandem multiplexing and linkage analysis. The main applications will be presented by invited speakers and include single nucleotide variant analysis, infectious disease monitoring, viral vector analysis, gene editing and food analysis.