The Smart-Q™ 800 is the 8-channel sibling of the Smart-Q™ 100 single-sample fluorometer — designed for the precise fluorescence-based quantification of DNA, RNA, and protein samples that NGS, qPCR, transfection, Western blot, and immunoassay workflows depend on. Where UV-absorbance-based quantitation (NanoDrop / SmartDrop class) reads at 260 / 280 nm and reports concentration based on absorbance × path length, fluorometric quantitation uses a selective fluorescent dye that binds specifically to dsDNA, RNA, or protein — producing a fluorescence signal that's selective for the target molecule and unaffected by contaminating species (free nucleotides, single-stranded DNA in dsDNA assays, primer dimers, denatured protein). The Smart-Q 800 reaches 0.1 pg/µL dsDNA detection when paired with Accuris's high-sensitivity quantification kits — the sensitivity class required for low-input NGS library prep.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| Channel count | 8 (this model); see F1001 for single-channel Smart-Q 100 |
| Detection limit | 0.1 pg/µL dsDNA (with Accuris High Sensitivity Kit) |
| Detection mode | Fluorescence (selective dye-bound signal) |
| Compatible kits | Accuris Fluorescent DNA Quantification Kits (HS, BR); compatible with kits from various other suppliers |
| Display | 7-inch color touchscreen, icon-driven menus, preprogrammed protocols |
| PC required | No — touchscreen on-instrument operation |
| Result calculation time | < 6 seconds |
| Built-in reagent calculators | Yes (for sample preparation: dye dilution, sample-to-buffer ratios, standard-curve setup) |
| Data export | USB flash drive |
| Footprint | 11 × 6 in (compact, portable) |
| Power input | Universal voltage |
Application Profile
NGS library quantitation. Library QC for sequencing — Illumina, Nanopore, PacBio, Ion Torrent — requires accurate sub-ng quantitation of low-input library preps. Fluorometric quantitation outperforms UV-absorbance at low concentrations and is the standard pre-pooling QC step in NGS workflows. The 8-channel format reduces per-library QC time vs single-sample workflows.
qPCR template quantitation. Accurate input-template quantification before qPCR setup — fluorometric quant is the standard reference because it's selective for the molecule being amplified (dsDNA in standard qPCR) and unaffected by contaminating ssDNA or RNA.
Transfection workflow input QC. Plasmid concentration QC before transfection — fluorometric quant filters out the supercoiled vs nicked vs linear DNA species (all of which have similar UV absorbance) and reports dsDNA concentration directly.
Western blot loading-control quantitation. Total-protein quantitation pre-loading via fluorescent protein-binding dyes — more accurate than Bradford or BCA for samples with detergents or reducing agents that interfere with colorimetric assays.
Immunoassay sample QC. Pre-assay protein concentration normalization across many samples; the 8-channel format handles batch QC for ELISA / Western blot / Luminex prep.
Method-development reagent calculations. Built-in reagent calculators handle the math — assay reagent dilution, sample-to-buffer ratios, standard-curve setup — reducing pipetting-math errors that accumulate when running large batches of fluorometric assays.
Design Architecture
8-channel parallel reading. Where the Smart-Q 100 reads one sample at a time, the Smart-Q 800 reads 8 samples in parallel — meaningfully reducing per-sample throughput time when QC'ing batches of NGS libraries or sample preps.
Fluorescence detection optimized for selective dyes. Engineered around the Accuris Fluorescent DNA Quantification Kit dye chemistries. Compatible with kits from various other suppliers (Qubit-class fluorescent dyes), but optimal performance is with Accuris-branded reagents.
Built-in reagent calculator. The 7-inch touchscreen includes calculators for: standard-curve dilution series, dye-to-buffer ratios, sample volume to assay tube transfer, and result-back-calculation when assay tube volume differs from raw sample volume. Eliminates the calculator-and-pen workflow that introduces errors in batch fluorometric assays.
Icon-driven preprogrammed protocols. Standard assay protocols (HS dsDNA, BR dsDNA, RNA, ssDNA, protein) are preprogrammed; operator selects the assay, enters sample numbers, and the instrument walks through standard-curve and sample reads in sequence.
< 6-second result calculation. Fast enough that 8-sample batches process in under a minute of read time after setup — the rate-limiting step is sample preparation (dye + buffer + sample mixing), not the instrument read.
Compact 11 × 6 in footprint. Portable enough for satellite-bench installation or shared use across multiple labs; smaller than typical microplate readers in the same sensitivity class.
USB flash drive data export — results export as standard data files for import into LIMS or downstream analytical software.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many samples can the Smart-Q 800 (F1008) read at once? 8 samples in parallel; the single-channel F1001 Smart-Q 100 reads one sample at a time.
How sensitive is the F1008? Down to 0.1 pg/µL dsDNA when paired with the Accuris High Sensitivity Kit — the sensitivity class required for low-input NGS library prep.
Does the F1008 need a PC? No — it operates from a 7-inch color touchscreen with preprogrammed protocols; result calculation takes under 6 seconds.
Are quantification kits included? No — kits are sold separately. Compatible kits include NS1020-HS-100 (High Sensitivity), NS1020-BR-100 (Broad Range), and NS1020-T detection tubes.
Why choose fluorometric over UV-absorbance quantitation? Fluorometric quantitation uses a selective dye that binds specifically to dsDNA, RNA, or protein, so it is unaffected by contaminating species and outperforms UV absorbance at low concentrations.
Ordering & Configuration
Standard configuration. The F1008 ships with the instrument, 115 V power cord, operator's manual, and packaging materials. Quantification kits are sold separately — order at least one HS or BR kit at instrument purchase to begin assay development.
Compatible Accuris Fluorescent DNA Quantification Kits:
- NS1020-HS-100 — High Sensitivity dsDNA Quantification Kit, 100 assays (range 0.005–120 ng/µL initial sample)
- NS1020-BR-100 — Broad Range dsDNA Quantification Kit, 100 assays (range 0.2–2,000 ng/µL initial sample)
- NS1020-T — 0.5 mL Fluorescence Detection Tubes, pack of 250
Plus compatible kits from various other suppliers (Qubit-class chemistries) — confirm specific kit compatibility against current Accuris specification.
Family alternatives:
- F1001 Smart-Q 100 — single-channel sibling at lower price for low-throughput single-sample workflows
Voltage variants:
- F1008 — 115 V plug (this SKU)
Use the quote request to specify: voltage and plug type, kit inclusion (HS, BR, or both) for initial assay validation, fluorescence-detection tube inventory (NS1020-T), training, and lead time.
Warranty: Manufacturer's standard Accuris warranty applies.
F1001 vs F1008 selection: the F1001 (Smart-Q 100) is the right pick for single-sample / low-throughput workflows where 8-channel parallel reading isn't needed. The F1008 (this product) earns its premium when batch QC for NGS library prep, qPCR template quant, or multi-sample protein quantitation is part of the daily workflow.
