ComBIND™, exclusively licensed from Novartis for drug discovery, is a novel luminescent technology with superior sensitivity for microarray and microtiter plate applications. The ComBIND technology leverages SRU Biosystems’ expertise in developing and manufacturing novel surfaces on nanostructured layers. ComBIND sensors can be manufactured to work with virtually any labeling technology. The enhanced sensitivity of ComBIND is due to an increase in the efficiency of excitation of surface-bound fluorophores in the evanescent field of the sensor surface (see reference below). In one representative assay the fluorescent yield was increased more than 20-fold, even in the presence of serum, when compared to conventional fluorescent microarray slides (see Figure 1 A and B). Improvements in the lower limit of detection (LLD) of greater than 10-fold are observed. ComBIND slides are compatible with commercially available laser scanners, confocal microscopes and miniaturized CCD read-out equipment. 

SRU Biosystems now offers Cy-5 compatible ComBIND microarray slides for commercial sale. For ordering information contact info@srubiosystems.com.

Figure 1A & B: Detection of IL-6 in serum on ComBIND microarray slides. The IL-6 sandwich assay on glass or ComBIND slides using a Cy5 labeled secondary antibody. On ComBIND 100fmols/ml of IL6 in serum can be detected. Tecan Laser Scanner used to read the slide.
Reference: Neuschafer et al (2003) Biosensors & Bioelectronics 18, 489-497