# New tools for highly accessible single cell RNA sequencing

> **NIH NIH R44** · FLUENT BIOSCIENCES INC. · 2022 · $903,654

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) provides unprecedented insight into the gene regulatory pathways of
living cells in complex tissues. Current single cell technologies can provide high-quality, high resolution
analysis of perturbations in cellular populations, but are limited in terms of access, affordability, and scalability
of cell input. In order to broadly deploy scRNAseq as a high-throughput, cost effective research and discovery
tool, a platform requires several characteristics: sensitivity to detect subtle changes in gene expression as a
result of pharmaceutical intervention, scalability in order to efficiently process hundreds to hundreds of
thousands of input cells, a protocol capable of processing multiple control and treatment conditions, and
efficient multiplexed sequencing capability for cost-effectiveness.
 Fluent BioSciences has developed Pre-templated Instant Partitions for single cell RNA sequencing
(PIPseq) as a novel approach toward scRNAseq that has key advantages over existing methods. PIPseq
provides unprecedented accessibility to scRNAseq for applications that are not readily addressable by
competing technologies. Eliminating the dependence on complex instrumentation and expensive microfluidic
consumables allows even modestly equipped cell biology labs to implement powerful scRNAseq assays. The
intrinsic scalability of the PIPseq platform is also particularly useful in applications where many patient samples
or treatment conditions might be evaluated. This direct-to-phase II proposal will establish
commercial-readiness of PIPseq kits through rigorous internal stability and reproducibility testing, external
evaluation and reproducibility testing with multiple genomics core laboratory collaborators, and pre-clinical
evaluation of primary breast tissue samples provided by an academic collaborator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10394664
- **Project number:** 1R44GM145185-01
- **Recipient organization:** FLUENT BIOSCIENCES INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristina Fontanez
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $903,654
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10394664

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10394664, New tools for highly accessible single cell RNA sequencing (1R44GM145185-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10394664. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*