The 2016 American Association for Cancer Research conference (AACR) was held April 20–26 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Keynote speaker Vice President Joe Biden addressed nearly four thousand assembled on the final day and remarked, “There is more brain power in this room than exists in many countries. And we need you. You’re the very best we have.” The conference drew a record number of participants at 19,000. The theme of this year’s conference was “Delivering Cures Through Cancer Science.”

The exhibition featured a number of product introductions, including those that increase researchers’ capability to resolve single-cell analysis, enhanced panels for next generation cancer sequencing and those furthering researchers’ understanding of cellular metabolism. Fluidigm continued to build upon its C1 system by introducing a new integrated fluidic circuit (IFC) that increases the number of cells the system can isolate and analyze. The new IFCs capture up to 800 small (5–10 µm) or medium (10–17 µm) cells. The new small-cell IFC is planned for release early in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Fluidigm plans to release a medium-cell high-throughput IFC that incorporates the same design optimizations as the new medium-cell IFC for use with a diverse array of cell types, including cancer cells.

Menarini-Silicon Biosystems introduced the DEPArray NxT digital cell sorting system. This technology leverages an array technology to determine and isolate rare cells from heterogeneous cell samples. The DEPArray NxT delivers pure samples of cells isolated from fresh biopsy or blood tissues for NGS analysis. The genetic analysis of the isolated cells could provide insights into tumor drivers, heterogeneity and angiogenesis, allowing for the identification of possible molecular targets for therapy and the monitoring of disease progression. The system will be available in the third quarter.

Nanostring Technologies introduced the nCounter Vantage portfolio, which provides a deeper “3D” view of cancer and immune biology by enabling multiplexed, digital analysis of DNA, RNA and protein simultaneously in a single experiment. The previous technology only detected RNA molecules. The nCounter Vantage kits can be mixed and matched to include one to three of the components, allowing the researchers maximum flexibility in assay design. The assays cost approximately $500 for all three components, but can be varied based on the specific kit purchased.

New England BioLabs (NEB) launched the NEBNext Direct Cancer HotSpot Panel. This assay combines the strengths of both PCR amplicon- and hybridization-based approaches for NGS. The assay employs a single-tube, single-day workflow that combines enrichment with library preparation via a proprietary hybridization and extension enzyme. The new Panel enriches critical regions within nearly 200 commonly studied targets known to be associated with 50 different cancer genes. Currently, it is designed solely for Illumina instruments. NEB intends to ship the NEBNext Direct Cancer HotSpot Panel by the end of April at a cost of $170/sample (including library preparation).

Cell Signaling Technology (CST) debuted the CellSimple Cell Analyzer, which performs rapid cell- and bead-based assays by combining fluorescence and cell counting technologies. The instrument utilizes consumables cassettes for handling the sample, eliminating the need for fluidics and making the instrument simple to use and maintain. The system can be run with preloaded assays using CST reagents or can be operated in an “open” mode using researcher-specified antibodies and protocols. It is designed to be user-friendly and includes preloaded protocols, prescribed reagents for many assays and data transfer through the use of a USB port. The list price is in the mid-$20,000s. It will be available in mid-May. The consumable and reagent costs will be variable based on the specific assay, but are expected to list at the $10–$15 range per assay.

Agilent Technologies added to its suite of software for metabolomics and its MassHunter MS software portfolio by introducing the VistaFlux analysis platform. VistaFlux is the first commercially available software to help researchers analyze metabolic flux tracking of the different pathways a metabolite participates under different biological stimuli. The software speeds up the ability to analyze results. This bolt-on software application is available as of April 18 and sold as a separate module at a list price of $5,500. This application complements the cellular metabolism offerings of Seahorse Biosciences, which Agilent acquired last year (see IBO 9/15/15), and allows Agilent to provide insights into the workings of cells from whole cell to metabolome.