A SINGLE-CELL BARCODING APPROACH FOR SCREENING ANTIBODY-SECRETING CELLS FOR ANTIBODY SEQUENCE AND TARGET IN MICRODROPLETS
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Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidic technologies have transformed single-cell antibody discovery by enabling high-throughput analysis of antibody-secreting cells. We present a novel platform that links antibody gene sequences with their functional binding profiles using a barcoding-hydrobead system within agarose microdroplets. This system allows for the co-encapsulation of single cells and single hydrobeads, offering greater flexibility in maintaining cell-bead pairing throughout downstream processing.Our hydrobeads are engineered to capture and barcode both mouse and human IgG antibodies, while also enabling mRNA capture and reverse transcription under newly optimized conditions that are compatible with simultaneous antibody capture—something not achievable with standard single-cell RNA-seq protocols. This dual-functionality allows for immediate functional screening of secreted antibodies against target cells, eliminating the need to wait for sequencing and recombinant antibody production before identifying promising candidates. To streamline downstream analysis, the platform is designed to interface directly with commercial sequencing library preparation kits, making it easier to standardize workflows and integrate with existing sequencing pipelines. Validated using hybridoma cells and their known targets, this approach offers a scalable, accessible, and efficient solution for linking antibody genotype to phenotype, with broad applications in therapeutic antibody discovery and immune profiling.