The core of Nanostring's platform is the nCounter Analysis System. This system uses color-coded molecular barcodes and single-molecule imaging to directly count target molecules in a sample. The process involves several steps:
Sample Preparation: Biological samples such as tissue or blood are prepared for analysis. Hybridization: Target-specific probes hybridize with the target molecules in the sample. Digital Counting: The hybridized molecules are immobilized and optically imaged. Each target molecule is counted digitally.
This method bypasses the need for amplification, reducing the potential for errors and allowing for accurate quantitation of gene expression levels.
