Multiplex Technology
The genomics revolution has enhanced the need to detect gene sequences, protein interactions and other biological reactions in drug discovery, biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. As a result, technologies have emerged allowing the simultaneous analysis of bioassays, which increases throughput and deliver results faster.
Multiplex technology allows the simultaneous qualitative or quantitative analysis of analytes using color-coded microspheres in a single tube or well.
Precise concentrations of two fluorescent dyes have been used to internally dye 100 distinctly colored bead sets to create a 100 bead array (map). Each bead can be coated with reagents specific for the bioassay, including antigens, antibodies, oligo-nucleotides, or enzyme substrates. A reporter molecule is labeled with a fluorescent dye for qualitative or quantitative analysis of the bioassay.
The advantages of multiplex technology
over other bioassays are numerous:
- High throughput means 20,000 microspheres per second can be analyzed,
and a large number of different bioassays can be performed and detected
at the same time, while each bioassay is assigned to a uniquely colored
bead set. Smaller sample sizes allow researchers to conserve rare
samples.
- Versatility increases dramatically, as bioassays (including, nucleic
acids, antigen-antibody binding, enzymes, and receptor-ligand) can
be assayed simultaneously on one instrument.
- Real time analysis allows researchers to profile different analytes
(biological reactions) in same patient sample simultaneously.
- Flexibility increases because the technology can be customized to the user’s specific bioassay needs by developing further multiplex assays on uniquely colored beads.
