Takara Bio USA has unveiled the Shasta™ Single-Cell System, a groundbreaking solution poised to revolutionize oncology research by facilitating biomarker discovery. This advanced system offers automated, high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) capabilities coupled with well-validated chemistries and user-friendly bioinformatics tools, enabling researchers to delve deeper into the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of single cells with unprecedented efficiency and sensitivity.
The Shasta system represents a significant leap forward in single-cell analysis, boasting a substantial increase in throughput compared to current technologies. It can process up to 1,500 cells per run for whole-genome amplification (WGA) and up to 100,000 cells per run for RNA-seq applications, far surpassing the capabilities of existing platforms. Early-access users have already begun harnessing the power of the Shasta system, generating promising results that underscore its potential to drive impactful discoveries in oncology research.
Comprising three core elements—a state-of-the-art automated dispensing and imaging platform, a diverse array of NGS library prep chemistries, and intuitive bioinformatics software—the Shasta system offers a comprehensive solution tailored to the needs of researchers. Its user-friendly interface ensures accessibility, allowing even those without extensive bioinformatics experience to navigate and analyze complex datasets with ease.
The Shasta system empowers researchers to uncover a myriad of genetic events within single cells, including splicing isoforms, gene fusions, long noncoding RNAs, and copy number variations (CNVs), without compromising sensitivity or scale. This capability opens doors to new insights into disease mechanisms, therapeutic responses, and tumor heterogeneity, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments in oncology.
With three primary applications—the Shasta Total RNA-Seq Kit, the Shasta Whole-Genome Amplification Kit, and the Shasta mRNA-Seq Kit—the system offers unparalleled versatility, catering to a wide range of research needs. From profiling full-length transcriptomes to conducting comprehensive DNA-seq and mRNA-seq analyses, the Shasta system equips researchers with the tools they need to explore the intricacies of single-cell biology with unparalleled depth and precision.
The Shasta system will be showcased at prominent scientific conferences, including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting and the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) Annual Meeting, providing researchers with opportunities to experience its capabilities firsthand and learn more about its potential to drive transformative discoveries in oncology research.