BD Single-Cell Multiomics Reagents for the BD Rhapsody™ Platform

If you run single-cell studies and want RNA + protein readouts in one pass, this collection brings the BD PDP Single-Cell Multiomics Reagents together in one place. You’ll find AbSeq antibody-oligo assays, Single-Cell Multiplexing (Sample Tag) kits, and library-prep chemistries for BD Rhapsody™ workflows—available from Iright with flexible sourcing options for broader BD product lines.

What Are BD Single-Cell Multiomics Reagents?

These BD reagents power end-to-end single-cell experiments by pairing targeted mRNA capture with protein quantification and sample pooling. The result is higher-resolution biology—cleaner signatures, better phenotyping, and efficient sequencing plans—on the BD Rhapsody™ Single-Cell Analysis System. 

In practice, you’ll mix and match three building blocks: BD AbSeq for protein markers, Single-Cell Multiplexing for pooling/ID across samples, and library-prep kits (cDNA, Targeted mRNA & AbSeq amplification, WTA) to convert captured molecules into sequence-ready libraries. All items in this page are for Research Use Only (RUO).

Who Should Use Them—and When to Choose BD Rhapsody™

If your questions require cell-type resolution with both transcript and surface-marker context—immunology, tumor microenvironments, vaccine response, or drug-screen phenotyping—Rhapsody’s microwell capture plus BD’s chemistries offer scalable cell recovery and economical sequencing. Teams moving from pilot to cohort-scale studies also benefit from multiplexing and HT-throughput options. 

Compared with RNA-only designs, a multiomics plan cuts ambiguity: AbSeq confirms phenotype while targeted mRNA or WTA fills in gene-expression detail. You retain the flexibility to go protein-only, RNA-only, or both in the same run, depending on your panel design and read-depth budget.

Product Family Overview: AbSeq, Sample Tag, and Library Prep

Below is a quick scan of the families you’ll combine in a typical Rhapsody study, with what each adds to your data.

• BD® AbSeq Antibody-Oligo Conjugates — Measure up to ~100 cell-surface markers alongside mRNA in the same cells; ideal for deep immune phenotyping and rare-subset resolution.
  

• BD® Single-Cell Multiplexing Kits (SMK) — Label each sample with a unique Sample Tag, then pool (12–24) for one capture lane; built-in demultiplexing removes inter-sample multiplets. Human (633781) and Mouse Immune (633793) variants; Flex SMK expands to 24 tags.
  

• BD Rhapsody™ Library-Prep Kits
  • cDNA Kit (633773) — Core reverse-transcription/cDNA synthesis for targeted/WTA assays.
    
  • Targeted mRNA & AbSeq Amplification Kit (633774) — Builds single-cell mRNA + Sample Tag + AbSeq libraries. RUO.
  • WTA Amplification Kit (633801) — Whole transcriptome amplification; identify differentially expressed genes, then refine to targeted panels later. 
    

These components are designed for the Rhapsody™ and Rhapsody™ Express instruments; HT Xpress options support larger studies without changing chemistry fundamentals.

Chooser: Pick the Right Reagents for Your Study

Your selection hinges on biological question, plex/throughput, and sequencing headroom. Use this quick guide to lock combinations before you order.

• If phenotype is critical: Add AbSeq to any RNA plan; select 30–100 markers for the cell types you expect, then cap read-depth accordingly.
  
• If you have many cohorts/time points: Use SMK to pool 12 samples per lane (or Flex sets for 24 tags) and let the Rhapsody pipeline demultiplex/clean multiplets.
  
• If you’re exploring unknowns: Start with WTA (633801) to survey expression broadly; in follow-ups, switch to Targeted mRNA & AbSeq Amplification (633774) for cost-efficient depth on chosen genes and proteins.

At-a-Glance Comparison

Workflow at a Glance: From Labeling to Libraries

Every Rhapsody run follows a clean arc: cell labeling → capture → library prep → sequencing → analysis.

First, stain viable single cells with AbSeq and/or SMK reagents. After capture on Rhapsody, generate cDNA with the cDNA Kit (633773), then build mRNA, AbSeq, and Sample Tag libraries using Targeted mRNA & AbSeq (633774) or WTA (633801). Sequence and run BD’s pipeline to demultiplex by Sample Tags, flag multiplets, and quantify genes/proteins.

A few planning tips: keep enzyme handling and thawing conditions from the user guides, balance read allocation across library types, and confirm cartridge/bead compatibility if you’re moving to HT configurations.

Popular SKUs & Starter Kits (Catalog Highlights)

Use these as anchors in your cart or RFQ; all catalog numbers match BD’s official listings.

Applications & Results: Protein+RNA Profiling and Multiplexing

When you need to separate nuanced immune phenotypes—T-cell states, myeloid activation, or B-cell maturation—AbSeq adds marker certainty to transcriptomic clusters. In combination with SMK, you can compare conditions or donors in one run and strip out multiplets during analysis for cleaner results and tighter confidence intervals. 

For discovery phases, WTA reveals differentially expressed genes across thousands of cells; subsequent targeted panels anchored by AbSeq reduce cost per sample while keeping essential biology intact. Recent comparisons and case studies highlight Rhapsody’s strengths for low-mRNA-content cells and complex tissues.

FAQ: AbSeq Plex, Sample Tagging, Compatibility, and RUO

1. How many protein markers can I measure with AbSeq?
Panels commonly reach dozens to ~100 markers, enabling high-parameter immunophenotyping alongside mRNA per cell. Exact plex depends on design and read allocation.

2. How many samples can I pool with SMK?
SMK kits support 12 samples per lane; Flex SMK provides 24 tags. The Rhapsody pipeline demultiplexes and flags multiplets automatically. 

3. Which library kits do I need for multiomics?
Use cDNA (633773), then Targeted mRNA & AbSeq (633774) to generate mRNA + AbSeq + Sample Tag libraries; for broad surveys, choose WTA (633801). 

4. Are these reagents RUO?
Yes—BD lists these chemistries for Research Use Only; follow the instrument and kit user guides for handling, bead compatibility, and sequencing recommendations.

Talk to Iright: Sourcing, Panel Design, and Lead Times

Tell us your target cell populations, desired AbSeq markers, and expected sample count. We’ll help finalize panel scope, pick the right SMK kit and library path, and coordinate stock or back-order ETAs. If you’re migrating to HT throughput, we’ll share cartridge planning and read-budget templates for smooth scale-up.