scanogen

The SMART-ID assay achieves its superior performance using a novel molecular detection method called Single Molecule and Rapid Tethering (SMART). SMART is a revolutionary platform technology for ultra-sensitive and rapid detection of nucleic acids and microorganisms in body fluids.

SMART enables entirely new diagnostic possibilities because it does not need to amplify nucleic acids before detecting them. Scanogen is utilizing SMART technology to develop assays that are faster, more sensitive, robust, and cost-effective than available systems.

SMART uses beads (1 μm) and long DNA probes (1-20 μm) to detect target molecules. A single target molecule is sufficient and necessary to link a bead to a long probe and the long probe tethers the bead to a surface. A bead tethered by a long probe indicates that the target molecule is present.

Beads are imaged using a robust and simple imaging system. A bead tethered by a long probe moves in response to liquid flow over the surface. Therefore, bead movement indicates the presence of a target molecule. A bead that does not move indicates non-specific attachment.

The information of bead displacement generates a digital signal based on single-molecule counts. In SMART, a single target molecule can mediate the tethering of a bead. The SMART signal is generated by counting these tethered beads, which are identified based on their displacement.