Features

• Sample preparation in a high-throughput and automatic manner

For clinical applications, CAST-R™ introduces an automatic sample preparation module that minimizes manual manipulation and enables high-throughput sample preparation, drug co-incubation, sample cleaning, etc. At each time, CAST-R™ can analyze 24-48 samples, and the number of samples can be flexibly increased or reduced.

• Rapid pathogen identification at single-cell resolution via SCRS

Based on a deep-learning algorithm and the Pathogen Single-Cell Raman Spectra (SCRS) Reference Database, SCRS from clinical samples are direclty analyzed for rapid identification. Currently, over 20 common bacteria and fungal pathogens can be identified, with 95% accuracy.

• Rapid, label-free, phenotype-based AST at the single-cell level via MIC-MA

D₂O based single-cell Raman microspectroscopy can quantitatively probe bacterial response to drugs at single-cell resolution using the Raman shift at C-D band as a universal biomarker for metabolic activity. MIC-MA calculated from Raman spectra is superior to MIC as MIC-MA is able to detect the non-growing but metabolically active cells.

• Target cell acquisition with in situ activity and amplification with high sequence coverage

In CAST-R™ Pro, the RAGE-Seq technology sorts the cell with targeted Raman signal in an aqueous phase, and then amplifies its DNA via a low-bias MDA reaction. The whole genome sequence coverage of a single E. coli cell can reach 99.5% (pL-level amplification in microdroplet), much higher than the control (23%; μL-level amplification).