ZeptoREADER

Manufacturer:

Zeptosens - a Division of Bayer (Schweiz), Witterswil, Switzerland, http://www.zeptosens.ch

The ZeptoREADER is a microarray fluorescence readout system for planar optical waveguides (ZeptoCHIPs) optimized for high sensitivity DNA and protein arrays. Planar waveguide technology allows significantly higher signal to noise ratio compared to conventional microarray readers. This unprecedented detection sensitivity is realized by a highly sophisticated fluorescence signal generation principle which efficiently separates the excitation from the emission light. Fluorophores in solution are not within the evanescent field and do not significantly contribute to the fluorescence signal resulting in simple assay protocols and fast time-to-result. Measurement in solution allows even the analysis of delicate bioaffinity systems with highest accuracy. The ZeptoREADER provides two fluorescence excitation wavelengths of 532 nm and 635 nm.

Figure 1: Working principle of the planar waveguide system

Figure 2: ZeptoREADER in our lab

Figure 3: Concentration gradient of fluorescent marked BSA, spotted on ZeptoMARK chips

Benefits and Features

• Ultra sensitive: Evanescent field fluorescence excitation offers up to 50-fold higher sensitivity than conventional scanners
• Less sample preparation: Surface confined excitation of fluorophores reduces background signals from non-bound fluorophores
• High throughput: Walk-away measurement of 360 microarrays creates over 120’000 data points in 6 hours
• Precise quantification: Measurement in solution allows to assay delicate bioaffinity systems and reduces photo-bleaching
• Ultimate reliability: Swiss made for highest possible quality and precision

(Source: Zeptosens - a Division of Bayer (Schweiz) AG, Witterswil)