Any experience with Fluidigm SNP assays?

[TKC]

Hi all,

Does anyone have experience with Fluidigm's Dynamic Array IFCs and SNPtype assays? I am looking into it as an alternative to Sequenom MassArray and have thus far been unable to find any pricing information.

It is my understanding that it is possible to reuse the chips, and that it uses allele-specific primers with universal probes (as opposed to TaqMan, which uses allele-specific probes??), making it more economical... Apparently need to buy multiple pieces of equipment- IFC controller, FC1 cycler, and EP1 reader (or the Biomark?).

Anyone know pricing for the complete system plus per sample cost of genotyping?

Thanks! I have requested information from the company as well but haven't heard back yet.

[TKC]

I was able to get into contact with someone at Fluidigm, and have pricing on the SNPtype assays and Dynamic Array IFCs (still no word on equipment- my local sales rep is apparently on vacation). For anyone interested: it will cost about $1200 for "SNPtype" assays (primers, probes, etc) to run 14,400 samples at 96 SNPs- plus $70 for the other reagents (per 480 samples). The Dynamic Array IFC chips are $560 for a single use 96 sample x 96 SNP chip, or $345 per multiple use 48 sample x 48 SNP chip (with reagents for 5 uses... or basically 240 samples at 48 SNPs??).

This would be a cost of $6.05 per sample per 96 SNPs using the single use Dynamic array chips (96x96), or $3.08 per sample per 96 SNPs using the reusable chips. Unless I am missing something?

Anyone have experience with the multiple use IFCs? Any drawback to them?

Still looking for ballpark figures for the equipment, if anyone happens to have it (IFC controller, FC1 cycler, and EP1 reader).

Thanks

TKC