Products
We are actively taking measures to improve product quality levels.
Applications
Why Hamamatsu?
Support
Our company
Investors
Japan (EN)
Select your region or country.
Genetic analysis
DNA and genes
DNA stands for “deoxyribonucleic acid.” It is a substance that makes up human genetic information and other components. Within DNA, there are four types of bases: A (adenine), T (thymine), G (guanine), and C (cytosine). The differences in their combinations (base sequences) give rise to various traits such as appearance, personality, and physical health in people.
This DNA also exists in sperm and egg cells, and it is responsible for passing on parental characteristics to their children through a process called “inheritance.” The factors that determine this inheritance are known as “genes.” Genes are specific sequences located in certain regions of DNA that play a role in determining an organism’s traits. While DNA refers to the material that constitutes base sequences, genes specifically refer to functional sequences within it.
On the other hand, the term “genome” encompasses all the base sequences of an organism’s DNA, including not only genes but also various functional sequences. The human genome consists of approximately 3 billion base pairs and has been fully decoded.
What is genetic analysis?
Genetic analysis refers to deciphering the base sequence of DNA and investigating how specific genes are expressed in cells and tissues. It involves examining the presence or absence of genetic mutations related to particular diseases, predicting future disease risks, and evaluating an individual’s genetic predisposition. Additionally, genetic analysis can detect viral marker gene sequences within the body, aiding in infectious disease testing.
Genetic analysis plays a crucial role in modern medicine. For instance, identifying genetic mutations responsible for various conditions such as cancer or rare diseases enables informed diagnostic and treatment choices. Pre-treatment genetic testing also allows personalized medicine by providing drugs that are highly effective and have minimal side effects based on an individual’s genetic makeup. Furthermore, understanding inherent traits and susceptibility to certain illnesses can contribute to preventive healthcare.
Methods used in genetic analysis
In genetic analysis, methods such as amplifying genes, quantifying them, and decoding their sequences are used for analysis. The following methods are used in the analysis:
qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction)
qPCR, also known as “Real-time PCR,” monitors the amplification process by PCR in real time. It quantitatively measures the expression level of target genes.
①: For gene expression measurement using qPCR, several methods are available. For example, in the intercalator method, specific primers for the target gene, dNTPs, and a fluorescent dye that binds to DNA are prepared.
②: The fluorescent dye binds to the double-stranded DNA amplified by PCR, emitting strong fluorescence.
③: The fluorescence intensity increases exponentially as PCR cycles progress and the amount of DNA increases.
④: Based on the cycle number at which the fluorescence intensity reaches a certain threshold, the initial gene quantity can be estimated.
qPCR allows relatively simple and cost-effective analysis focused on specific genes, enabling detection of pathogens and SNP analysis.
Figure 1: Measurement flow of qPCR
Recommended products
High sensitivity and low noise enable accurate reading of weak fluorescence.
Board-level CMOS camera with a compact design, making it easy to incorporate into devices. Thanks to its high sensitivity and high-resolution camera characteristics, it can accurately and quickly read weak fluorescence.
It is a high-sensitivity, ultra-compact spectrometer head that corresponds to the sensitivity wavelength range of 340 nm to 850 nm. It contributes to downsizing the equipment.
Optical module for fluorescence detection consisting of Si photodiode, excitation LED, optics, and circuitry.
Digital PCR
Digital PCR is a measurement method that allows the acquisition of the absolute amount of gene expression.
①, ②: Mix nucleic acid samples with the reaction solution and distribute them into multiple tiny wells.
③: Perform independent PCR reactions in each well.
④: In wells where the target gene is present, DNA is amplified, emitting a fluorescent signal. Since amplified and non-amplified wells are clearly separated like 0/1 digital data, it is possible to accurately quantify the copy number of the target gene in the original sample by counting them.
For digital PCR, a highly sensitive detector is required to accurately quantify the absolute amount of the target gene.
Figure2: Measurement flow of the Digital PCR
Recommended products
Optical measurement module that incorporates a wide dynamic range type MPPC, capable of detecting weak light.
Optical measurement module capable of detecting weak light with a wide dynamic range type MPPC built-in. It is easy to position the MPPC due to the flexible cable.
DNA microarray
A DNA microarray refers to a chip where tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of different short single-stranded DNA fragments (DNA probes) are densely immobilized on a substrate such as glass or silicon. Microarray technology allows comprehensive analysis of gene expression in cells and tissues.
First, mRNA extracted from the sample is used as a template to synthesize cDNA using reverse transcriptase, which is then labeled with a fluorescent dye. Subsequently, the labeled cDNA is added to the microarray, where it hybridizes with complementary sequences on the DNA microarray. Finally, any unbound cDNA is washed away, and the fluorescence intensity at each spot is measured to analyze gene expression.
Figure 3: Measurement flow of the DNA microarray
Recommended products
High sensitivity and low noise enable accurate reading of weak fluorescence.
Due to the large area, high speed, and high sensitivity camera characteristics, it is possible to accurately and quickly read faint fluorescence across a wide field of view.
Board-level CMOS camera with a compact design, making it easy to incorporate into devices. Thanks to its high sensitivity and high-resolution camera characteristics, it can accurately and quickly read weak fluorescence.
Sanger sequencing
Sanger sequencing is a sequencing method that analyzes the DNA base sequence using the Sanger method. The Sanger method, developed by Frederick Sanger in 1977, has been widely used as a standard technique for genetic analysis over the years.
The process of the Sanger method involves first amplifying the target DNA using PCR. Then, a template DNA strand is prepared. Next, dNTPs and fluorescently labeled ddNTPs are added for extension reactions. The extension reaction stops at the position where ddNTPs are incorporated, resulting in fragments of various lengths. These fragments are separated by electrophoresis in order of length, and the fluorescent wavelength originating from the final base of each fragment is detected to determine the sequence. In a single reaction, it is possible to accurately read a sequence of approximately 800 to 1000 bases.
Figure 4: Measurement flow of the Sanger sequencing
Recommended products
High sensitivity and low noise enable accurate reading of weak fluorescence.
It is an optical block used in combination with a photomultiplier tube module. It facilitates the construction of optical systems using various mirrors and filters.
Next-generation sequencing
Next-generation sequencing is an analytical method that utilizes next-generation sequencers capable of rapidly and massively reading the DNA base sequences. In contrast to the conventional Sanger method, which could only read sequences of several hundred to several thousand base pairs in a single reaction, next-generation sequencers can simultaneously decode tens of millions to hundreds of billions of short DNA fragments (reads) at once. As a result, it is now possible to efficiently analyze the entire genome’s sequence.
Second-generation next-generation sequencers typically operate based on the principles of synthesizing DNA clusters and detecting fluorescent signals:
①: The DNA to be sequenced is fragmented into small pieces, and adapters are attached to both ends of each DNA fragment.
②: These adapters allow the DNA fragments to be immobilized on a substrate or beads, enabling local DNA amplification and cluster formation.
③④: Fluorescently labeled modified nucleotides (four types) are used for extension reactions on the clustered DNA fragments. The fluorescence is detected using a camera or other detectors.
By repeating this cycle multiple times, it becomes possible to rapidly read a large number of base sequences.
Figure 5: Measurement flow of the next-generation sequencing
Recommended products
TDI (time delay integration) technology enables a camera to perform wide-area, high-speed scanning. By accumulating multiple stages, it achieves highly sensitive imaging, allowing accurate reading of faint fluorescence.
A compactly designed board-type TDI camera that is easy to integrate into devices. Using TDI (time delay integration) technology, it enables wide-area, high-speed scanning. With its multiple accumulation stages, it achieves highly sensitive imaging, allowing accurate reading of faint fluorescence.
This camera, with large-area, high-speed, and highly sensitive characteristics, can accurately and rapidly read faint fluorescence across a wide field of view.
Board-level CMOS camera with a compact design, making it easy to incorporate into devices. Thanks to its high sensitivity and high-resolution camera characteristics, it can accurately and quickly read weak fluorescence.
FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization)
FISH is a technique that visualizes the location and expression of target genes on cells and tissue sections by binding fluorescently labeled probes to the target genes using fluorescent substances.
①: Prepare a fluorescently labeled probe with a complementary base sequence to the target gene.
②: After fixing and permeabilizing tissue sections or cells, denature the DNA at high temperature.
③: Promote hybridization (binding) between the probe and the target DNA and RNA.
④: After hybridization, wash away excess probes and observe using a fluorescence microscope. Cells containing the target gene exhibit specific fluorescent signals due to probe binding.
Figure 6: Measurement flow of the FISH
Recommended products
High sensitivity, wide field of view, and high resolution camera characteristics enable accurate, fast, and wide field of view readings of faint fluorescence.
Board-level CMOS camera with a compact design, making it easy to incorporate into devices. Thanks to its high sensitivity and high-resolution camera characteristics, it can accurately and quickly read weak fluorescence.
Topics: Spatial biology
In recent years, spatial biology, which incorporates spatial information alongside gene analysis of isolated cells or bulk states, has gained attention.
In spatial biology, it is possible to detect gene and protein expression with high sensitivity on tissue sections and acquire spatial mapping data. Specifically, applications such as analyzing heterogeneity in cancer tissues and profiling gene expression during developmental processes are expected. These tools are valuable not only in drug discovery but also in regenerative medicine.
Our high-sensitivity cameras and detectors are widely adopted in spatial omics analysis systems, contributing to the acquisition of high-quality spatial data.
Highlighted products
sCMOS camera optimized for fluorescence observation across a wide range of wavelengths from visible to near-infrared. The camera's high sensitivity, wide field of view, and high resolution enable accurate and fast readings of faint fluorescence.
Board-level CMOS camera with a compact design, making it easy to incorporate into devices. Thanks to its high sensitivity and high-resolution camera characteristics, it can accurately and quickly read weak fluorescence.
- Confirmation
-
It looks like you're in the . If this is not your location, please select the correct region or country below.
You're headed to Hamamatsu Photonics website for JP (English). If you want to view an other country's site, the optimized information will be provided by selecting options below.
In order to use this website comfortably, we use cookies. For cookie details please see our cookie policy.
- Cookie Policy
-
This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in this cookie policy. By closing the cookie warning banner, scrolling the page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies.
Hamamatsu uses cookies in order to enhance your experience on our website and ensure that our website functions.
You can visit this page at any time to learn more about cookies, get the most up to date information on how we use cookies and manage your cookie settings. We will not use cookies for any purpose other than the ones stated, but please note that we reserve the right to update our cookies.
1. What are cookies?
For modern websites to work according to visitor’s expectations, they need to collect certain basic information about visitors. To do this, a site will create small text files which are placed on visitor’s devices (computer or mobile) - these files are known as cookies when you access a website. Cookies are used in order to make websites function and work efficiently. Cookies are uniquely assigned to each visitor and can only be read by a web server in the domain that issued the cookie to the visitor. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to a visitor’s device.
Cookies do various jobs which make the visitor’s experience of the internet much smoother and more interactive. For instance, cookies are used to remember the visitor’s preferences on sites they visit often, to remember language preference and to help navigate between pages more efficiently. Much, though not all, of the data collected is anonymous, though some of it is designed to detect browsing patterns and approximate geographical location to improve the visitor experience.
Certain type of cookies may require the data subject’s consent before storing them on the computer.
2. What are the different types of cookies?
This website uses two types of cookies:
- First party cookies. For our website, the first party cookies are controlled and maintained by Hamamatsu. No other parties have access to these cookies.
- Third party cookies. These cookies are implemented by organizations outside Hamamatsu. We do not have access to the data in these cookies, but we use these cookies to improve the overall website experience.
3. How do we use cookies?
This website uses cookies for following purposes:
- Certain cookies are necessary for our website to function. These are strictly necessary cookies and are required to enable website access, support navigation or provide relevant content. These cookies direct you to the correct region or country, and support security and ecommerce. Strictly necessary cookies also enforce your privacy preferences. Without these strictly necessary cookies, much of our website will not function.
- Analytics cookies are used to track website usage. This data enables us to improve our website usability, performance and website administration. In our analytics cookies, we do not store any personal identifying information.
- Functionality cookies. These are used to recognize you when you return to our website. This enables us to personalize our content for you, greet you by name and remember your preferences (for example, your choice of language or region).
- These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We will use this information to make our website and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests. We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose.
Cookies help us help you. Through the use of cookies, we learn what is important to our visitors and we develop and enhance website content and functionality to support your experience. Much of our website can be accessed if cookies are disabled, however certain website functions may not work. And, we believe your current and future visits will be enhanced if cookies are enabled.
4. Which cookies do we use?
There are two ways to manage cookie preferences.
- You can set your cookie preferences on your device or in your browser.
- You can set your cookie preferences at the website level.
If you don’t want to receive cookies, you can modify your browser so that it notifies you when cookies are sent to it or you can refuse cookies altogether. You can also delete cookies that have already been set.
If you wish to restrict or block web browser cookies which are set on your device then you can do this through your browser settings; the Help function within your browser should tell you how. Alternatively, you may wish to visit www.aboutcookies.org, which contains comprehensive information on how to do this on a wide variety of desktop browsers.
5. What are Internet tags and how do we use them with cookies?
Occasionally, we may use internet tags (also known as action tags, single-pixel GIFs, clear GIFs, invisible GIFs and 1-by-1 GIFs) at this site and may deploy these tags/cookies through a third-party advertising partner or a web analytical service partner which may be located and store the respective information (including your IP-address) in a foreign country. These tags/cookies are placed on both online advertisements that bring users to this site and on different pages of this site. We use this technology to measure the visitors' responses to our sites and the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns (including how many times a page is opened and which information is consulted) as well as to evaluate your use of this website. The third-party partner or the web analytical service partner may be able to collect data about visitors to our and other sites because of these internet tags/cookies, may compose reports regarding the website’s activity for us and may provide further services which are related to the use of the website and the internet. They may provide such information to other parties if there is a legal requirement that they do so, or if they hire the other parties to process information on their behalf.
If you would like more information about web tags and cookies associated with on-line advertising or to opt-out of third-party collection of this information, please visit the Network Advertising Initiative website http://www.networkadvertising.org.
6. Analytics and Advertisement Cookies
We use third-party cookies (such as Google Analytics) to track visitors on our website, to get reports about how visitors use the website and to inform, optimize and serve ads based on someone's past visits to our website.
You may opt-out of Google Analytics cookies by the websites provided by Google:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en
As provided in this Privacy Policy (Article 5), you can learn more about opt-out cookies by the website provided by Network Advertising Initiative:
http://www.networkadvertising.org
We inform you that in such case you will not be able to wholly use all functions of our website.
Close