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The Nanoassay™

The Nanoassay™ by Zymosense is revolutionizing enzyme activity measurement with a fast, simple, and highly accurate solution built on the unique properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

Enzyme Molecule

Traditional enzyme assays depend on dyes, multiple reagents, and complex workflows—making them slow, labor-intensive, and prone to variability. The Nanoassay™ employs a direct-to-substrate approach that streamlines protocols and boosts throughput without sacrificing precision.

At the core of the Nanoassay™ are single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), which act as nanoscale scaffolds for catalytic reactions. Through non-covalent interactions, molecules of a target substrate are affixed to the nanotube surface, creating a functionalized biosensor that delivers a label-free, highly sensitive optical readout. When enzymes interact with the nanosensors, there is a measurable fluctuation in their innate near-infrared (NIR) emissions—providing a real-time and accurate signal. Supplied in an aqueous solution, Nanoassay™ nanosensors come fully functionalized for your specific enzyme-substrate sequence, making enzyme measurement as simple as Dilute–Add–Scan.

  • Large surface-to-volume ratio enables dense substrate immobilization for improved sensitivity.
  • Fluoresce in the near-infrared range (NIR) where biological samples are relatively transparent and autofluorescence is minimal. This enables higher signal-to-noise ratios than visible fluorophores.
  • Readily functionalizable by coating the nanotube surface to accommodate various factors and tune for hydrophobic/hydrophilic conditions.
  • SWCNTs do not photobleach allowing long-term, continuous monitoring of enzyme activity.
  • SWCNTs are formed with single atom-thick sheets of graphene; this quasi one-dimensional structure enables rapid electron transfer, resulting in exceptional electrical conductivity.
  • Non-toxic at low concentrations makes CNTs biocompatible for use with tissue samples and in vivo.
  • Programmable SWCNT chiralities enable multiplexing of various enzyme reactions.
  • Fewer steps – fewer errors. By functionalizing nanosensors to adhere target substrate molecules directly to the SWCNT, the Nanoassay™ eliminates the cumbersome and error-prone protocol required by conventional assays.
  • Real-time detection – SWCNTs exhibit immediate changes in their intrinsic NIR emissions in response to enzymatic modifications of substrate molecules attached to their surface. This enables constant and real-time measurement without the need for stopping agents or other cofactors.
  • Label-free simplicity – eliminates the need for chemical labeling with dyes which can alter substrate and enzyme behavior.
  • Reduced background noise – By eliminating dyes, reducing reagent complexity, and localizing the signal to the sensor surface, direct-to-substrate assays offer cleaner, more reliable data—especially in complex biological environments.

The near-infrared (NIR) region of light—often referred to as the “biological window”—offers superior penetration through complex tissue samples such as blood, fat and serum. Conventional enzyme assays, which rely on visible light (400–700 nm), are prone to signal distortion due to autofluorescence and background interference. Zymosense leverages the intrinsic NIR emissions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to bypass these limitations, delivering enhanced sensitivity and more accurate measurement of enzyme activity in biologically complex samples.

The process of attaching biologically relevant molecules—such as enzyme substrates, polymers, or reporter elements—to the surface of SWCNTs, referred to as functionalization, is the foundation of the Nanoassay™. Non-covalent functionalization is accomplished by wrapping molecules of substrate directly onto the SWCNT. Zymosense nanosensors are functionalized specifically for target substrates and enzymes, reducing the need for additional mixing and measuring of reagents.

Conventional enzyme assay protocols require expensive and delicate benchtop readers characteristically limited to laboratories. Measuring enzyme activity in the field, however, requires a method of sampling, prepping and testing that can be completed at the point-of-use. The Zymosense Mobile Nanoassay™ Kit with functionalized SWCNT nanosensors is as simple as Dilute-Add-Scan, enabling enzyme activity measurement safely, on-location and in near-real time.