SIMOA - ultra-sensitive quantitative protein analyses
This assay utilizes SIMOA (Single Molecule Array) technology to enable the ultra-sensitive detection and quantification of protein biomarkers at femtomolar concentrations. The SIMOA platform is designed to detect proteins at concentrations far below the limits of conventional immunoassays, providing a powerful tool for research and clinical applications.
About SIMOA technology
SIMOA technology significantly advances biomarker detection, offering a highly sensitive and precise method for measuring low-abundance proteins. By isolating and analyzing individual molecules, SIMOA achieves unprecedented sensitivity, allowing for the detection of biomarkers at femtomolar levels. This sensitivity is particularly beneficial for early disease detection, disease progression monitoring, and evaluation of treatment efficacy.
The SIMOA platform operates by partitioning samples into thousands of microwells, with each well containing at most one target molecule. Fluorescent labels are used to detect and quantify the presence of these molecules, enabling researchers to measure protein concentrations with exceptional accuracy.
The most commonly requested assay in our lab is serum/plasma assay for Nfl, GFAP, Tau, UCHL1, duplex (Nfl/GFAP), and fourplex (Nfl/GFAP/UCH-L1/Tau). Levels of Nfl in serum and plasma are several times lower than in CSF, but the correlation is high. The complete list of assays is found here:
https://www.quanterix.com/simoa-assay-kits/
Applications of SIMOA technology in health
The ultra-sensitive detection capability of SIMOA makes it ideal for a wide range of applications. SIMOA technology is employed in cardiovascular research to detect low-abundance cardiac biomarkers, providing insights into heart disease much earlier than traditional methods. In neurological research, SIMOA measures biomarkers such as amyloid-beta and tau proteins, which are critical for understanding and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. In oncology, SIMOA may also allow for detecting tumor markers at early stages, potentially improving cancer prognosis and treatment.
Platform strengths
SIMOA's unique single-molecule detection capability enables the quantification of proteins at femtomolar levels, offering significant advantages over traditional immunoassays. The high sensitivity and specificity make it suitable for targeted and exploratory studies. The platform supports multiplexing, simultaneously measuring several biomarkers within a single sample, thereby reducing sample volume requirements and increasing throughput.