The Luminex ELISA multiplex assays are robust multiplexing systems that use the principle of flow cytometry to simultaneously measure up to 100 analytes in a single assay volume. Luminex immunoassays are fast, cost-effective, and available in several formats, including receptor-ligand assays, immunoassays, nucleic acid assays, and enzymatic assays.Â
Luminex multiplex assays combine three core technologies; xMAP microspheres, the Luminex analyzer, and xPONENT software. xMAP microspheres are micron-sized beads that facilitate the identification and capture of target analytes. The Luminex analyzer is a flow cytometry-based instrument having high-tech detecting components such as optics, lasers, and high-speed signal processors. Finally, the xPONENT software is a protocol-based data acquisition providing a robust data regression analysis. These powerful components make Luminex assays the primary choice in drug discovery and development studies. The following article discusses five real-life lessons every researcher must know about Luminex ELISA multiplex assays.
It further highlights why Luminex assays are used at every step of drug discovery and development.
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Multiplex analysis of proteins and genes on a single platform
The Luminex instrument helps researchers combine quantitative gene and protein workflows. This integration does not compromise the sensitivity or quality of Luminex assays. The Luminex platform is effectively designed to quantify multiple analytes in a single assay volume. The xMAP technology comes in custom and pre-defined assay formats. Moreover, adequate guidance is provided for building new panels for identifying novel biomarkers in biological matrices.
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xMAP technology
The Multi-Analyte Profiling (xMAP) technology combines advanced optics, fluidics, and digital signal processing systems employed on proprietary microsphere technology with multiplexing capacities. The xMAP technology uses fluorescent-labeled beads to simultaneously analyze up to 80 genes or 80 proteins in a single reaction. Besides, assay options such as ProcartaPlex and QuantiGene assays perform several nucleic-acid and protein-based multiplex assays.
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Besides, Luminex has four platform options for reading fluorescent-labeled beads. These platforms include Luminex 200, MAGPIX, FLEXMAP 2D, and INTELLIFLEX. These Luminex platforms are based on quantitative fluorescence microscopy or fluorescence flow cytometry principles and are specifically designed to fulfill any research needs.
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ProcartaPlex instruments for protein detection
ProcartaPlex immunoassays are bead-based sandwich ELISA assays that employ the Luminex multiplex technology. ProcartaPlex is an ideal assay alternative for evaluating analytes in serum, cell and tissue lysates, plasma, cell culture supernatants, and other bodily fluids. Besides, they come in 96 and 384-well formats for six species, including rats, mice, humans, nonhuman primates, canines, and porcine. Moreover, custom and pre-configured panels are readily available to assist researchers at every stage of drug development.
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Custom panel development for RNA and protein detection
Customization is the primary advantage of Luminex assays. They can be customized with several species, assay formats, and target analytes.
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QuantiGene Plex assays for assessing gene expression in biological samples
Similar to protein assays, the QuantiGene Plex immunoassay is a robust assay alternative to study gene expression using the Luminex platform. This assay is hybridization-based and therefore uses branched DNA technology. This technology amplifies the signal rather than the target to measure RNA transcripts making it an extremely efficient and robust assay option. Besides, they are compatible with complex study matrices, including cross-linked RNA and degraded samples. Moreover, RNA purification is not needed for QuantiGene Plex assays.
