A fully-automated, six-plex single molecule immunoassay for measuring cytokines in blood.

We report a system and assay for performing fully-automated measurement of 6 proteins simultaneously with single molecule sensitivity. The system combines handling of samples, reagents, and consumables, with a module for imaging single molecule arrays (Simoa) to enable immunoassays that have high sensitivity (~fg/mL), are multiplexed, and are fully-automated. A 6-plex cytokine Simoa assay for IL-6, TNF-α, GM-CSF, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-1α was developed on the system.

Direct detection of bacterial genomic DNA at sub-femtomolar concentrations using single molecule arrays.

We report a method for the sensitive measurement of genomic DNA based on the direct detection of single molecules of DNA in arrays of femtoliter wells. The method begins by generating short fragments of DNA from large, double-stranded molecules of genomic DNA using either restriction enzymes or sonication. Single-stranded fragments are then generated by melting the duplex, and these fragments are hybridized to complementary biotinylated detection probes and capture probes on paramagnetic beads.