Skip to Content
MilliporeSigma
HomeProductsProtein BiologyImmunoassay Platform SolutionsSingle Molecule Counting (SMC®) Technology

Single Molecule Counting (SMC®) Technology

Originally developed by Singulex®, Inc., Single Molecule Counting (SMC®) technology with the SMCxPRO® platform enables researchers to measure femtogram levels of biomarkers and better understand the clinical relevance from healthy to disease. Learn more about SMC® technology, immunoassay kits, and how you can design your own custom assay to meet your critical research needs. 

Request Information

Digital Counting Improves Sensitivity and Dynamic Range

Providing maximum immunoassay performance while following a workflow similar to traditional ELISA technology, SMC® technology combines a unique assay elution step and robust digital counting to achieve improved signal-to-noise ratios over traditional immunoassay technologies. The SMC® technology thus provides enhanced quantification at both low and high levels of expression on one complete system. The SMCxPRO® instrument captures the sum of all digital events counted above the background threshold. The digital event algorithm of the SMCxPRO® instrument computes digital events across a spectrum of time series for a single standard. The digital counting of molecules thus improves the assay sensitivity and extends the assay dynamic range beyond what can be achieved with traditional methods.

Verification Criteria for SMC® Immunoassays

A comprehensive set of criteria evaluating ultimate performance are used to qualify verified SMC® immunoassays, including:

  • Lower limit of quantification
  • Inter- and intra-assay precision
  • Spike recovery
  • Dilutional linearity and parallelism

Related Product Resources

Learn more about how SMC® technology can take your research to the next level by exploring the topics below.

SMC® Research Areas

Browse all the ways researchers are using SMC® technology including drug development, neuroscience, cardiotoxicity, immunology research, and more.

Browse Research Areas >

Why Choose SMC® Technology?

See why choosing ultrasensitive SMC® technology can help you take a deeper look at your research to discover even more.

See Why >

SMCxPRO® Platform

SMC® assays are run on the state-of-the-art SMCxPRO® detection instrument. Discover more about this ultrasensitive immunoassay platform.

Discover More >

Other SMC® Instrumentation

View info on ancillary kits and equipment for SMC® assays that help optimize your workflows.

View Equipment >

Custom Assay Services

Explore more about our Custom Assay Development & Innovation (CADI) services and request more info.

Explore Services >

Tips and Support for SMC® Products

Get tips and tricks for running SMC® assays straight from the experts.

Get Tips & Tricks >

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest immunoassay research trends and our newest product offerings by subscribing to our Analyte Update newsletter or explore our current immunoassay offerings in the Analyte Quarterly.

Related Videos

Slide 1 of 8
How to Seal Read Plates for the SMCxPRO<sup>®</sup> Platform
How to Seal Read Plates for the SMCxPRO® Platform
Learn how to properly seal the 384-well read plates for the SMCxPRO® platform in four easy steps.
How to Pipette for Successful Assays
How to Pipette for Successful Assays
Get expert tips for forward and reverse pipetting for the most successful SMC® ultrasensitive assays.
SMCxPRO<sup>®</sup> Instrument Set-up and Calibration
SMCxPRO® Instrument Set-up and Calibration
Learn how to initialize and calibrate your SMCxPRO® instrument.
How to Reconstitute the IL-6 Standard
How to Reconstitute the IL-6 Standard
Learn how to reconstitute the IL-6 standard for the SMC®platform.
How to Prepare the IL-6 Standard Curve
How to Prepare the IL-6 Standard Curve
Discover how to prepare the IL-6 standard curve using SMC® technology.
How to Prepare and Dispense the IL-6 Beads
How to Prepare and Dispense the IL-6 Beads
Watch how to prepare and dispense the IL-6 beads for SMC® assays.
How to Prepare and Dispense the Detection Antibody
How to Prepare and Dispense the Detection Antibody
Watch how to prepare and dispense the detection antibody for SMC® assays.
Elution and Neutralization Steps
Elution and Neutralization Steps
View key elution and neutralization steps in the SMC® protocol.
Related Product Categories
MILLIPLEX® Multiplex for Luminex® Immunoassays
Discover with confidence using MILLIPLEX® multiplex immunoassays for Luminex® while ensuring robust assay performance and an always expanding portfolio to meet your biomarker detection needs.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kits
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, reagents, and resources that provide ultrasensitive biomarker detection.
Cell Dissociation Reagents
Enzymes like trypsin and collagenase are essential for the detachment of adherent cells and solid tissues for subculture and experiments. Recombinant trypsin, solutions containing EDTA, and non-enzymatic solutions provide stabler, gentler options for wider culture applications.
ZooMAb® Antibodies
Experience ZooMAb® recombinant antibodies, engineered for exceptional consistency and performance in various applications.
Prestige Antibodies® Powered by Atlas Antibodies
Explore our Prestige Antibodies®, which are developed using open-access data from the Human Protein Atlas and validated using IHC, WB, ICC-IF, or RNA sequencing and compared to bioinformatic information and literature.
Small Pack Size Antibodies
Antibodies in 25 μg or 25 μL small pack sizes for your immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), immunoprecipitation (IP), flow cytometry, ELISA and western blot applications.
Enhanced Validation Antibodies
Our enhanced validation antibodies are characterized using numerous molecular and cell-based techniques and assays to provided superior assurance with target specificity for your required application needs.
Proteases
Protease reagents and resources for endo- and exopeptidase cleavage application needs and resources for your protein cleavage workflow.
Related Applications
(ELISA) Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) include direct, indirect, and capture (sandwich) detection formats for identifying and quantifying a specific antigen.
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a common immunostaining technique that is used by researchers to identify specific antigens of interest in healthy and diseased tissues.
Flow Cytometry
Flow cytometry is a powerful molecular and cellular biology tool that enables multi-parametric analysis of individual cells.
Western Blotting
An overview of the principles and applications of Western blotting for protein detection. Includes links to detailed protocols, videos, and other resources for protein extraction, gel electrophoresis, transfer to PVDF or nitrocellulose membranes, and chemiluminescent, colorimetric, and fluorescent detection methods.
Targeted Protein Degradation
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging drug discovery strategy that uses small-molecules, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), to eradicate targeted proteins linked to disease from cells.
Protein Expression
Protein expression technologies for expressing recombinant proteins in E. coli, insect, yeast, and mammalian expression systems for fundamental research and the support of therapeutics and vaccine production.
Protein Purification
Protein purification techniques, reagents, and protocols for purifying recombinant proteins using methods including, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, and protein affinity chromatography.
Protein Quantitation
Protein quantification methods, reagents, and immunoassay technology for accurately measuring the protein concentrations in a variety of samples.
Related Services
Belysa® Immunoassay Curve Fitting Software
Effortlessly compare standard curves and monitor immunoassay methods by downloading our Belysa® Immunoassay Curve Fitting Software that works for assays run on Luminex® and SMCxPRO® platforms, as well as ELISA readers.
Custom Assay Development & Innovation (CADI) Services
Accelerate your research with our Custom Assay Development & Innovation (CADI) team providing custom MILLIPLEX® multiplex assay services (custom assays for Luminex® instruments), custom ultrasensitive SMC® assay and sample testing services, and custom ELISA services designed for your specific biomarker needs.
Sign In To Continue

To continue reading please sign in or create an account.

Don't Have An Account?