Indole-3-propionic acid
A microbiome-associated indole derivative relevant to gut barrier and host–microbe research.
Indole pathway · research readout
MetaboDex S1 · Fluorescent nanosensor array
Make the gut metabolome visible the same day.
A research workflow for reading gut-health metabolites from approximately 30 µL of blood plasma — on a fluorescent microplate reader, without a mass spectrometer or extraction step.
For gut microbiome, biomedical and clinical research teams in Singapore and the region.
One small sample.
Three useful signals.
Three useful signals.
30 µLplasma input
3+metabolite signals
1 dayto a readout
Built for the moment
between sample and insight.
between sample and insight.
30 µLapproximately, from blood plasma
Same dayreadout on a plate reader
No LC-MSand no extraction step
The research gap
LC-MS is powerful. It is not always the right first answer.
Mass spectrometry remains an important reference method. But for many longitudinal studies and translational programmes, the bottleneck is not ambition — it is access to a costly instrument, a specialist workflow and a delayed result.
MetaboDex S1 is designed to give research teams a practical optical route to specific gut metabolites, so a sample can inform the next experiment while the study is still moving.
“Move from sample collection to a metabolite readout while the study is still in motion.”
A complementary workflow, designed for research teams
What the array can read
Signals with a biological story.
Early access is centred on indole-pathway metabolites and the research questions they can help unlock.
Indole-3-acetic acid
A signal for studies exploring microbial metabolism, host response and inflammation biology.
Indole pathway · research readout
Melatonin
A complementary analyte for research connecting metabolic, circadian and inflammatory signals.
Additional analyte · research readout
The S1 workflow
A shorter path from plasma to concentration.
Designed around the tools many research labs already have: a pipette, a plate and a fluorescence reader.
01
Add a small sample
Apply approximately 30 µL of plasma or serum to the sensor array.
~5 min/sample target02
Let the array respond
Fluorescent nanosensors interact with target metabolites in the biological matrix.
03
Read the plate
Use a fluorescence microplate reader — no mass spectrometer required.
04
Interpret the signals
DeX-Suite™ software turns the optical response into research readouts.
Planning reference: ~5 min/sample hands-on. The estimate is intended to help scope study logistics; exact workflow time, analyte panel and performance characteristics are being established through research-partner studies.
A complementary route
Less infrastructure between a sample and a question.
| Research consideration | Traditional LC-MS workflow | MetaboDex S1 workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Mass spectrometer and specialist access | Fluorescent microplate reader |
| Sample preparation | Extraction and method-specific preparation | No extraction step in the intended workflow |
| Time to readout | Often delayed by batching and send-out logistics | Designed for a same-day research readout |
| Best fit | Deep, broad analytical profiling | Focused, repeatable pathway measurements |
This is a workflow comparison, not a claim of equivalence. MetaboDex S1 is for research use only and is not a diagnostic device.
Why research partners matter
The reference ranges do not exist yet.
Every well-designed study adds context: how these metabolite signals move across cohorts, timepoints and interventions.
Research partners help build the reference-range data that future validated applications will need — while getting a closer, faster view of the biology in their own studies.
Areas we’re keen to explore
Explore a partnershipColorectal triage is an exploratory research direction, not a current clinical claim. Other research areas are welcome to be explored together.
A shared evidence base, built study by study.
Illustrative distribution bands — not clinical reference intervals.
lower signalhigher signal
Join the early-access cohort
Bring a real research question.
We are speaking with researchers who want to explore gut-health and inflammation biology with a faster, more accessible metabolite workflow.
Tell us what you are studying, where you are based and what a useful first study could look like.
- Early conversations with the MetaboDex team
- Fit assessment for your sample type and study design
- Potential collaboration on reference-range data
- Singapore-based and regional research partnerships welcome
Start the conversation
We’ll reply with next steps for your lab or programme.
A better first read
Talk about your study