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SPAchip® FAQS

What about next generation of SPAchip® products?

A4Cell R&D team is working to expand the application portfolio to increase the multiplexing possibilities with up to 9 different molecules, which can include different kind of molecules (fluorophores, nucleotides, proteins, etc) to enhance current assay possibilities.

We have carried out proof-of-concept studies, where we have been able to functionalize SPAchip® with aptamers and oligonucleotides to target proteins and mRNA sequences. We are currently optimizing these assays to provide dynamic, reversible and robust measurements of the specific targets.

Next generation of SPAchip® devices for live-cell analysis will be also multiplexed with antibodies to target specific organelles to identify analyte values in determined subcellular regions.

Can SPAchip be used for other applications than live-cell analysis?

How are SPAchips internalized?

After addition and incubation of SPAchip® solution to the culture, cells endocytose the SPAchip® in their cytosol being in direct contact with the cytosol fluid and allowing direct measurement of intracellular analytes. The specific SPAchip® endocytic mechanism will be provided soon

How is SPAchip® uptake controlled?

Which cells are suitable for SPAchip® analysis?

How are SPAchip® distributed in the cell culture?

Why is cellular viability important?

SPAchip® are made of silicon oxide, an inert material, which allows to maintain cellular viability offering absence of cytotoxicity. Fluorescent probes used as sensors in SPAchip® are covalently bond to the surface to avoid degradation and release to the intracellular environment. The small quantity of fluorescent probes also reduces the interaction with the whole analyte levels increasing the physiological resemblance in the cell model.

Are SPAchip® measurements dynamic?

Does SPAchip® Assay Buffer affect cell culture?

How long can be SPAchip® be incubated with the cell culture?

What happens to SPAchip® upon cell division?

What are the analysis techniques used to obtain SPAchip readouts?

How fast can SPAchip® detect analyte changes?

What fluorescence channels are available for SPAchip® kits?

What is the required imaging resolution for SPAchip analysis by microscopy?

Can SPAchip® devices be affected by photobleaching?

Are SPAchip® compatible with other assays?

Which are the storage conditions?

SPAchips have been tested to be stable for at least 6 months. It is recommended that the kits are refrigerated (4 ºC) upon reception and protect them from light.

Assay SPAchip® tube can be also stored for at least 6 months at 4 ºC and protected from light after dilution in the Assay Buffer provided with the kit.

How can you ensure that SPAchip resuspension has been performed properly?

We recommend counting SPAchips in a Neubauer chamber previously at the ASSAY PROTOCOL step (check the detailed Assay Procedure in the Full User Protocol). Check SPAchip® count using a routine brightfield microscope. If Neubauer chamber is not available, add a drop in a slide and check for the visualization of SPAchips using a routine brightfield microscope.

What about next generation of SPAchip® products?

A4Cell R&D team is working to expand the application portfolio to increase the multiplexing possibilities with up to 9 different molecules, which can include different kind of molecules (fluorophores, nucleotides, proteins, etc) to enhance current assay possibilities.

We have carried out proof-of-concept studies, where we have been able to functionalize SPAchip® with aptamers and oligonucleotides to target proteins and mRNA sequences. We are currently optimizing these assays to provide dynamic, reversible and robust measurements of the specific targets.

Next generation of SPAchip® devices for live-cell analysis will be also multiplexed with antibodies to target specific organelles to identify analyte values in determined subcellular regions.

Can SPAchip be used for other applications than live-cell analysis?

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