Simoa® (Single Molecule Array) is Quanterix's proprietary digital immunoassay technology designed for ultra-sensitive biomarker detection across multiple biological matrices, including blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tissue samples[1][2]. This platform represents a breakthrough in ultrasensitive immunoassays, enabling the detection of protein biomarkers at concentrations previously undetectable by conventional ELISA methods.
The Simoa technology is now the leading platform for single-molecule array detection in neurodegenerative disease research, with over 5,000 peer-reviewed publications and 2,300+ instruments deployed globally[1:1]. It is particularly critical for detecting phosphorylated tau (p-tau) isoforms and neurofilament light chain (NfL), which are essential biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) research.
Simoa technology utilizes a proprietary array-based digital immunoassay approach that achieves femtogram-level sensitivity by isolating individual antibody-coated microspheres in femtoliter-sized wells[1:2][2:1]. This digital approach provides:
The Simoa assay workflow involves:
This digital counting approach enables absolute quantification of biomarker concentrations with unprecedented sensitivity.
Simoa is the premier platform for detecting amyloid and tau biomarkers in blood and CSF[1:3][3]:
| Biomarker | Application | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| p-Tau 217 | Early AD detection, differentiate AD from other dementias | Highest accuracy for early diagnosis |
| p-Tau 205 | Disease progression tracking | Correlates with disease severity |
| p-Tau 212 | Tau pathology staging | Identifies specific tau isoforms |
| Brain-Derived Tau (BD-Tau) | Neurodegeneration identification and staging | Directly measures neuronal injury |
| LucentAD Panel | Multi-analyte approach | Combines amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation markers |
Simoa technology enables high-plex spatial proteomics studies that reveal distinct cell phenotypes and pathological signatures in Parkinson's disease[1:4][4]:
NfL detected via Simoa is now established as a critical blood-based biomarker for[1:5][5]:
Quanterix offers CLIA-ready validated assays for clinical use, enabling[1:6]:
| Feature | Simoa | Traditional ELISA |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | Femtogram | Nanogram |
| Sample volume | Low (μL) | Higher (mL) |
| Multiplexing | Up to 10+ analytes | Typically 1-5 |
| Dynamic range | Ultra-wide | Limited |
| Detection limit | <1 pg/mL | ~10 pg/mL |
The Simoa platform has enabled breakthrough research in neurodegeneration. Key landmark studies include:
While Simoa is the dominant platform, similar ultrasensitive technologies include:
The Simoa platform continues to evolve with:
Quanterix Corporation. Simoa Technology. 2026. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Rissin et al. Single-molecule enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detects serum proteins at sub-femtomolar concentrations. Nature Biotechnology. 2010. ↩︎ ↩︎
Janelidze et al. Blood P-tau217 detects Alzheimer's disease pathology. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. 2024. ↩︎ ↩︎
Okuzumi et al. High-plex spatial proteomics reveals distinct cell phenotypes in Parkinson's disease. Nature Neuroscience. 2023. ↩︎
Preische et al. Serum neurofilament dynamics predicts neurodegeneration in genetic frontotemporal dementia. Nature Medicine. 2019. ↩︎ ↩︎
Karikari et al. Blood phosphorylated tau protein 217 for detecting Alzheimer disease pathology. Brain. 2020. ↩︎
Blennow et al. Fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease: From pathology to clinical utility. Lancet Neurology. 2022. ↩︎