Beacon
Live Single Cells. Deepest Functional Insights.
An Unmatched Live Single Cell Functional Solution
Experience the full potential of live single cell functional analysis with Beacon Discovery™. Powered by optofluidic technology, it enables researchers to explore multimodal and temporal cellular responses in real time, seamlessly linking functional data to sequencing from the same single cell for deeper scientific breakthroughs. This accessible, compact, and flexible system delivers unparalleled insights into immune profiling, cell therapy, and antibody and TCR/CAR discovery.
Why Choose Beacon Discovery
Accessible
Lower cost of ownership, reduced running costs, and intuitive interface - for easy adoption
Flexible
Deliver end-to-end workflows for immune profiling, antibody discovery, and custom functional assays
Compact
Benchtop size maximizes lab space without sacrificing functionality
Proven
Built on widely published and validated optofluidic platform
Applications
Understand the Life of Single Cells
The Beacon Discovery is a flexible platform for translational researchers in academia, and biopharma industry exploring high-parameter, dynamic functional cellular analysis. It enables T cell profiling for immunotherapy, antibody discovery, antibody profiling, and vaccine development.
T Cell Profiling
Interrogate T cell function to discover effective TCR/CAR sequences , validate the performance of T cells , translate cellular functionality to clinical biomarkers , and recover cells of interest for multi-omic insights.
Assays available: Cytokine analysis, Surface marker staining, Cytotoxicity, Phenotyping
Researcher Spotlight
"Having used the Beacon platform for years, we have seen firsthand how it transforms TCR discovery for cancer immunotherapy. Its automated workflows and novel multi-parameter temporal analysis allow precise characterization of tumor antigen-specific T cells, accelerating the identification of potent therapeutic candidates from patient tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). With the new Beacon Discovery platform, this powerful technology is now within reach for many more individual and core labs in academia and industry."
Features
Built for Easy Use and
Real-Time Data Exploration
Easy-to-Use Interface
Designing complex single-cell functional analysis experiments has never been easier. The Beacon Discovery includes a new easy-to-use wizard-based interface (included in the Cell Analysis Software (CAS) Suite) for designing multistep experimental workflows. Set up and execute sophisticated pre-defined and customized workflows in just a few clicks.
Deep Data Analysis
The Cell Analysis Software Suite enables real-time data exploration with automated and manual image analysis. Researchers can make informed decisions based on biomolecule secretion, target killing, and cell-cell interactions over time. Machine learning streamlines cell segregation, selection, and counting. UMAPs simplify multi-dimensional functional analysis.
Accessible System Based on Proven Optofluidic Technology
Key Product Features
- Compact, benchtop instrument
- Throughput: 1 chip, up to 20,000 single cells per run
- Four fluorescent channels (exchangeable cubes)
- 4x bright field magnification
- Intuitive, customizable software
- Compatible with all OptoSelect® chips
Explore how live single-cell functional analysis and the Beacon Discovery can elevate your research
Technology
Unique Features of the Beacon Technology
At the core of the Beacon technology is the OptoSelect chip, which combines nanofluidics and Opto-Electro Positioning (OEP) technology, referred to as optofluidics. Optofluidics leverages light and millions of light-actuated pixels to manipulate cells and beads with precision, empowering precise isolation, and characterization of single cells at scale. Single cells with phenotypes of interest can then be recovered for further downstream analyses, including sequencing.
Opto-Electrical Positioning (OEP) Technology
Provides Exquisite Control of Cells and Beads
- Uses light to move cells around and into the NanoPens
- Allows for thousands of parallel single cell experiments at once
NanoPen Horizontal Design
Allows Continuous Media Perfusion
- Provides minimal disruption of the contents in the NanoPens
- Allows for exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste in and out of the NanoPens in a matter of seconds
- Keeps cells alive and healthy for days to weeks
Flexible to Run Chips with Flexible Chip Formats
Tailor experiments to specific research needs with flexible chip formats. The Beacon Discovery system supports multiple chip configurations, seamlessly adapting to diverse workflows and applications.
OptoSelect 1750b Chip
This chip has ~1,750 1.7 nL NanoPens that are ideal for longer term culture experiments including adherent cell cloning.
OptoSelect 3500 Chip
This chip has ~3,500 chambers with 0.75 nL NanoPens that enable some cell division and higher clone throughput.
OptoSelect 11k Chip
This chip has ~11,000 chambers with 0.32 nL NanoPens that are designed for scaling up your throughput of single cell screening.
OptoSelect 20k Chip
This chip has ~20,000 chambers with 0.32 nL NanoPens that are designed for the highest throughput of single cell screening.
Streamlined Workflow for Rapid Discoveries
The system integrates customizable Bruker Cellular Analysis reagents and OptoSelect chips to deliver a seamless user experience.
- Load Reagents & Samples - Place reagents in the reagent bay (A) and load OptoSelect chips into the sample bay (B).
- Guided Workflow Setup - The Workflow Wizard (C) walks you through experiment setup and execution.
- Exquisite Control on Single-Cell Experiments - OEP technology gently moves and positions live single cells and reagent beads in NanoPens, delivering high-precision functional characterization.
- Multi-Modal and Temporal Analysis with Live Single-Cell Imaging - The OptoSelect chip and horizontal NanoPen design enables continuous perfusion and rapid reagent exchange—keeping cells alive for days or weeks. Run multiple assays on the same cells across time points. Four exchangeable fluorescent channels (D) enable real-time brightfield and fluorescence imaging with minimal hands-on time.
- Data Capture & Sequencing Integration - Identify and recover high-value cells, then link functional insights to transcriptomic and genomic sequencing for deeper analysis.
Beacon Discovery
Unleash the Full Potential of Your Single Cell Research
Complete the form to connect with us and discover how the Beacon Discovery system can enhance your research adventure. Our expert team will be able to answer your questions, show you how the Beacon Discovery system works, and share the most relevant datasheets & case studies for your research.