Develop custom Simoa® assays that drive breakthroughs from discovery to diagnostics. Simoa® technology offers flexibility, sensitivity, and simplicity.
Utilize the proprietary reagents along with the Quanterix Homebrew Assay Kit to develop a rapid prototype Simoa® assay that offers greater sensitivity and ease of use compared to ELISA. Explore the curated lists of biomarker assays developed using homebrew for research in neurology, oncology, and immunology.
Benefit from custom assays built specifically for users
Image Credit: Quanterix
With custom assays developed specifically for the Simoa® HD-X, SR-X, and SP-X, Simoa® Homebrew empowers labs worldwide to:
- Gain access to ultrasensitive Simoa® technology
- Rapidly achieve high-performance bead and planar immunoassay development
- Screen and test a wide range of antibodies
Explore the curated lists of biomarker assays developed using homebrew for research in neurology, oncology, and immunology.
On-site customer assay development training
Image Credit: Quanterix
Work closely with Quanterix’s dedicated scientists to maximize the benefits of the custom assays. The team of experts can provide training to:
- Introduce the basics of immunoassay optimization and validation, as well as specifics of Simoa® assay development
- Offer expert tips and tricks on how to achieve increased sensitivity in the custom Simoa® assay
- Closely assist with reagent preparation and custom prototype assay optimization for any chosen assay
- Discuss the next steps for your specific Simoa® assay, including the possibility of multiplexing
Regardless of the user requirements, Quanterix's team of expert scientists is on hand to help streamline the development of custom immunoassays.
Target any analyte
It is flexible, versatile, and highly sensitive
- Flexible: Study any analyte of choice using your own antibodies and customized assay protocols. Homebrew kits are available on both bead and planar platforms, enabling assays to be run on any HD-1, HD-X, SR-X or SP-X instruments already owned by the user.
- Ultrasensitive: Homebrew assays are reliant on the ultrasensitive nature of Simoa® technology. Users can expect to see significant improvements in sensitivity for Simoa® custom assays. In comparison to conventional ELISAs and homebrew performance, improvements can be achieved within as little as 2-3 days.
- Multiplex: If users are interested in measuring more than one target at a time, they can customize Homebrew assays on the bead platform to detect up to 4 analytes in a single sample.
The homebrew process
For custom immunoassay development
In just a few days, users can develop custom immunoassays with ultrasensitivity. The Quanterix Homebrew Assay Kit, combined with the user's proprietary reagents, enables rapid Simoa® assay prototyping with enhanced biomarker detection and ease of use compared to standard ELISA.
The development process occurs in three basic stages:
- Reagent preparation and Initial screening: An initial batch of capture bead and detector reagents is prepared and evaluated for benchmark sensitivity.
- Assayoptimization: If greater sensitivity is desired, new batches can be created and optimized until the desired performance is achieved.
- Reagent batch scale-up: If the initial batch meets performance objectives, additional batches may be prepared to scale up production.
Simoa® bead Homebrew assay principle
Image Credit: Quanterix
For use with HD-1/HD-X and SR-X systems
Ahomebrewbead-based immunoassay begins with the capture and labeling of an analyte using an enzyme conjugate (streptavidin ß-galactosidase, SBG). The analyte is captured with beads, and a biotinylated detection antibody is added to form a captured analyte sandwich. The immunosandwich is then labeled with the enzyme (SBG). Washing and incubation requirements will vary depending on the specific assay protocol being used.
After each incubation, a magnet is used to pelletize the beads. Following the final wash cycle, the capture beads are then suspended once again in resorufin ß-D-galactopyranoside (RGP) substrate. The beads are subsequently transferred to the entry port of a Simoa® disc in preparation for imaging and analyte quantification.
Simoa® planar Homebrew assay principle
Image Credit: Quanterix
For use with SP-X Imaging and Analysis System™
The kit includes universal assay plates with an immobilized anchor antibody in 96 microwells. These antibodies exhibit high specificity for the Simoa® Planar Array Homebrew tag provided. The kit includes all essential materials for peptide tag labeling for up to 6 capture antibodies and biotinylation for up to 6 detector antibodies.
In the Simoa® planar Homebrew assay format, the peptide-tagged capture antibody first binds to the plate-bound anchor. The remainder of the assay workflow follows the familiar sandwich immunoassay format. The antigen is sandwiched between the peptide-tagged capture antibody and biotinylated detector antibodies.
Following the peptide tag labeling and biotinylation steps, Streptavidin-HRP and a chemiluminescent HRP substrate are employed to indicate the formation of immunocomplexes. The intensity of this signal is directly related to the quantity of analyte in the standard or sample of interest.
Enabling breakthroughs in the fields of discovery and diagnostics
Quanterix is collaborating with an expanding network of academic researchers and partners in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries to advance progress in the following research domains.
- Cardiology
- Infectious disease
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Oncology