Small molecule detection

Small molecule detection is traditionally associated with complex, time- and resource-consuming technologies. Here’s an overview of how small molecule antibodies can facilitate research and diagnostic applications in the fields of human health, food safety and environemental monitoring.

1: A technology applicable to a wide range of small molecules

Amino acid derivatives, saccharids, nucleotides, steroids, lipids… Antibodies can be raised against a variety of endogenous small molecules involved in pathological processes, thus opening up new avenues in research, diagnostics and theranostics. In the context of food safety and environemental monitoring, antibodies can also serve to detect small molecules such as drugs, pesticides residues and chemical pollutants.

2: A single antibody for any type of biological sample

Unlike large molecules such as proteins, small molecules are conserved throughout species. Whether raised in mice or rabbit, a single small molecule antibody can thus detect its target in biological samples of any origin. Furthermore, small molecule antibodies are compatible with existing immunodetection technologies (IHC, IF, ELISA, WB, FACS, …), thus enabling the analysis of virtually any type of biological sample.

3: Qualitative and quantitative methods for small molecule detection

In the context of an ELISA or EIA, antibodies raised against small molecules constitute an attractive alternative to mass spectrometry for small molecule quantification. Robust and highly sensitive, the immunoassay can be performed in almost any condition, while results, easily interpretable, are available within a few hours. The key application small molecule antibodies is undoubtly IHC/IF, allowing the visualization of small molecules in cell cultures and tissue specimens.

Interested in antibody-based small molecule detection?

Take a look at our portfolio of research antibodies validated for IHC/IF, or learn about custom services.