Abstract

The SnapChip™ for a Precise Chip-to-Chip Transfer of Nanodroplets

Sebastien Bergeron, Founder and CEO, Parallex BioAssays Inc.

Multiplexed sandwich immunoassays are a powerful technique to measure multiple protein concentrations simultaneously. However, multiplexed assays are prone to cross reactivity effects and can generate false positive signals due to a lack of antibody specificity and selectivity. This is a known weakness of multiplexed assays that is mitigated by months of assay optimization and validation.

Parallex BioAssays replaced the “detection soup” of antibodies by an array of nanodroplets and offers a new CHIP-to-CHIP approach to deliver the detection antibodies precisely to their cognate spots of capture antibodies. As a result, a cross-reaction free chip consisting of an assembly of parallelized assays, physically isolated from each other. The advantages include the possibility to mix-and-match assays and create unique combinations, such as isoforms and phospho-specific antibodies side-by-side. This makes our approach to cell signaling studies (e.g. Akt activation pathway) a rapid and easy alternative to performing dozens of western blots.

The SnapChip™ represents a new format of liquid handling platforms. Beyond exclusive immunoassays, it creates the opportunity to miniaturize and multiplex enzyme activity and cell-based assays in nano-compartments. Current and future applications will be discussed.