Beacon® Optofluidic
Technology
Fueling Live Single-Cell Functional Analysis
Experience Beacon in Action
Discover how the Beacon platform delivers precise control over single-cell experiments in this technology video. See how it enables customized cell selection, real-time high-parameter characterization with multiplexed bead-based assay, and advanced cell-cell interaction assay. Watch live cell retrieval in action and explore how functional single-cell analysis integrate with downstream sequencing data (BCR-seq) to empower better and faster antibody lead optimization.
Technology
Unique Features of the Beacon Technology
At the core of the Beacon technology is the OptoSelect® chip, which combines nanofluidics and Opto-Electrical 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
Adaptable High-Throughput Chips
Tailor experiments to specific research needs with flexible chip formats. The Beacon system supports multiple chip configurations, running up to 4 chips simultaneously, 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 cell line development and 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.
Beacon Instruments
Beacon Technology
The system integrates customizable Bruker reagents and OptoSelect chips to deliver a seamless user experience.
Beacon Discovery
Beacon
Key Features
Load Reagents & Samples
Place reagents in the reagent bay (A) and load OptoSelect chips into the sample bay (B).
Flexible Workflow Design Options
Create the ideal experiment for your research questions using templated, guided, or custom workflows (C).
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.
Screen the Right Cells Automatically and Precisely
4 Simple Steps to Find the Best Cells
The Beacon platform automates single-cell profiling using optofluidic technology, Optofluidics is able to move single cells or beads in large numbers so they can be isolated, cultured, assayed, and exported.
1. Sort
Software detects individual cells and precisely positions them into NanoPen® chambers using patterned light.
2. Culture
Cells grow in a continuously perfused environment, while real-time imaging enables dynamic data collection.
3. Assay
Functionally profile cells through multi-step and multi-assay experiments.
4. Export
Recover high-value cells for sequencing or live-cell applications.
Powerful Software for Functional Single-Cell Analysis
The Beacon platform includes the Cell Analysis Software (CAS) Suite, a robust toolset that allows researchers to design, execute, and analyze single-cell experiments in real time. CAS enables fully customized and automated workflows, delivering high-dimensional insights into single-cell heterogeneity, cell function, phenotype, and behavior.
Beacon Optofluidics
Unleash the Full Potential of
Your Single Cell Research
Complete the form to connect with us and discover how the Beacon technology can enhance your Antibody Discovery, Cell Line Development, or T Cell Profiling work.
Our expert team will be able to answer your questions, show you how the Beacon system works, and share the most relevant datasheets & case studies for your research.
