xMAP® Connect: Multiplexing Offers Benefits for Cytokine Testing, SARS-CoV-2 Research, and Early-Stage Bladder Cancer Detection

Scientists from ARUP, The Ohio State University, UC Davis, and Luminex presented data from xMAP®-based assays in our user group meeting

We always look forward to xMAP Connect user group meetings—not only do they give scientists a chance to share their experiences with xMAP® Technology, but they offer deep dives into the amazing research enabled by our multiplexing platform. At the most recent event in La Jolla, CA, several scientists spoke about the work they’ve been doing.

The Clinical Utilizy of Cytokine Testing

Thomas Martins from the ARUP Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pathology spoke about the clinical utility of cytokine testing. These proteins are important for most immune responses and can be measured to detect problems such as cytokine storm syndrome, which often occurs in patients with severe COVID-19.

Thomas Martin's The COVID Cytokine Storm Graph

Martins and his team have been working with xMAP Technology since the late 1990s and have offered xMAP-based testing through their reference laboratory since the early 2000s. Their cytokine assay, an xMAP-based 13-plex panel test, saw demand soar from an average of about 2,000 to 3,000 tests per month to about 40,000 tests per month early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Most customers were primarily interested in IL-6 data, since the sickest patients experienced 1,000-fold increases in their IL-6 levels, and so Martins and his team quickly developed a single-analyte test to meet demand. “As a test developer, we really like the flexibility of [xMAP Technology],” he said, calling it “a robust, versatile, and flexible platform.”

Bead-based Neutralization Antibody Assay

The xMAP platform is also popular for assessing response to vaccines, which was the focus of two xMAP Connect presentations. In one, Resmi Ravindran from the University of California, Davis, spoke about a bead-based neutralization antibody assay for assessing the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Alternative tests, such as a whole virus neutralization test, take several days to run and require BSL-3 facilities.

Neutralizing Antibody Tests

The high-throughput xMAP-based test designed by Bio-Rad, however, takes just a few hours and can be run in any laboratory to detect SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. In studies of human samples, Ravindran’s team was able to use the test to evaluate the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. They have also performed studies in a number of animal models, finding high correlation between neutralizing and binding antibodies in some cases.

B-cell Epitope Peptide-based Cancer Vaccine

In another vaccine presentation, Linlin Guo and Jay Overholser from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center spoke about their efforts to develop and evaluate B cell epitope peptide-based cancer vaccines. The treatment is designed to boost B cell and T cell activity for a more effective immune response to cancer. They’ve worked on both a PD-1 vaccine and a PD-L1 vaccine, finding that combinations of treatments can be more effective than any treatment alone.

Mechanism of B cell epitope peptide vaccine

The vaccines are studied by immunizing mice and then challenging them with tumor cells. These preclinical studies have shown that vaccinated mice have significantly less tumor growth compared to controls, Guo said. The team is using an xMAP-based panel to study cytokine release and has been working with the xMAP INTELLIFLEX® System’s dual reporter capability to evaluate PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies.

A Multiplex Test For Early-stage Bladder Cancer

We were also excited to hear from Charles Rosser, a research scientist and professor of biomedical sciences at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, about his work using xMAP Technology to support the development of Oncuria®, a multiplex test for early-stage bladder cancer. The assay is slated to launch soon as a laboratory-developed test, and Rosser said he expects it to lead to a “major shift” in the care of patients with bladder cancer.

single nucleus-RNA sequencing of bladder tumors

A small clinical utility study for this new approach indicated that doctors would reduce the number of alternative tests ordered for these patients should they receive clear results from Rosser’s test.

Technical Considerations For Bead Coupling

xMAP Connect attendees also gained valuable time with our team’s technical experts. Stephen Angeloni, a Senior Field Application Scientist at Luminex, offered a deep dive into the technical considerations for bead coupling. Examples of molecules suitable for coupling include purified proteins or antigens, peptides, small molecules, and carbohydrates.

Coupling Chemistries

Angeloni recommended that users consult the xMAP® Cookbook for easy-to-follow protocols, lists of the reagents, and equipment needed. He also reviewed the coupling chemistry workflow, which involves repeated washing and incubation cycles, as well as the option to use microgram or picomolar coupling to generate the best signal. Finally, he walked through four Excel worksheet-based calculators to help xMAP users perform the coupling process correctly.

All presentations from xMAP Connect in La Jolla are now available for on-demand viewing in our xMAP Connect Virtual event platform on Labroots. Our next in-person xMAP Connect meeting will be taking place in Atlanta, GA on November 2, 2023. Stay tuned for more information. We hope to see you there!

Watch The Presentations >>

Video: Plant Pathogen Detection Experts Count on xMAP® Technology

Hear from scientists at Prime Diagnostics about their use of multiplex testing to keep plants healthy

In the Netherlands, a special division of Wageningen University & Research has been helping monitor flora for plant pathogens for the past 20 years. Known as Prime Diagnostics, Wageningen University’s team of scientific experts develops, validates, and commercializes testing kits to identify pathogens in economically important plants such as crops and garden flowers.

In 2007, Prime Diagnostics became a Luminex Licensed Technologies Partner. Scientists at Prime Diagnostics understood that xMAP® Technology continues to provide an efficient and effective foundation for multiplex tests. Today, Prime Diagnostics offers more than 100 xMAP-based kits for pathogen detection in plants.

In the short, new video included below, Prime Diagnostics team members discuss their mission of improving human quality of life by exploring the potential of nature. “The goal of Prime Diagnostics is to assist in feeding the world with healthy plants in a sustainable way,” says Jan Bergervoet, a senior researcher at the lab. “We do this by supplying reagents and kits for the detection of plant pathogens [including] viruses, bacteria, and fungi.” xMAP Technology makes it possible to perform more tests in less time and to be more flexible in addressing client needs.

The team typically serves clients in the horticultural and agricultural industries as well as government laboratories with their xMAP-based pathogen detection tests. Working closely with their customers allows them to “guarantee state-of-the-art solutions,” says José van Beckhoven, manager at Prime Diagnostics. The scientists have also developed an analysis package specifically for xMAP data to better support their clients.

Detecting and Identifying Plant Pathogens With xMAP® Technology:

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To learn more, check out our profile of Prime Diagnostics or see their information page about building kits from xMAP Technology.

Interested in learning more about becoming a Luminex partner? Get in touch with us.

Become A Luminex Partner >>

2022 in Review: A Sampling of xMAP® Publications We Loved

Demonstrations of multiplexing technology in research applications including cancer, infectious diseases, the microbiome, and more

There aren’t many high-throughput life science technologies that have as long a track record as our multiplexing xMAP® Technology for proteomic and genomic assays. Through the decades, that staying power has led to a wealth of publications that cite the bead-based platform. In fact, there have now been more than 60,000 peer-reviewed papers citing xMAP Technology and our partners’ xMAP-based products.

Tracking customer publications is one of our favorite ways to keep informed of the many creative ways in which scientists apply our technology. As we kick off 2023, we thought it worth revisiting some of the highlights from last year’s publications. Out of some 4,000 papers that appeared throughout January-September 2022 citing xMAP Technology, we chose a small selection to represent the broad range of applications where multiplexing assays are making a difference.

Research Area: Cancer

Title: Paclitaxel liposome for injection (Lipusu) plus cisplatin versus gemcitabine plus cisplatin in the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic lung squamous cell carcinoma: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel controlled clinical study

Citation: Zhang J, et al., Cancer Commun, Jan 2022, 42(1):3-16. DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12225

In this paper, researchers conducted a multicenter, randomized, phase 3 study to compare standard treatment for locally advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma to a newer therapy. Analysis of cytokine levels with xMAP Technology showed that a certain cytokine signature was linked to improved response and progression-free survival with the new treatment.

Research Area: Chemokines & Cytokines

Title: Neonatal chemokine markers predict subsequent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and delayed development

Citation: Kim D, et al., Brain Behav Immun, 2022, 100:121–133. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.11.009

Researchers used xMAP Technology to analyze cytokine and chemokine patterns from neonatal blood spots in order to stratify children with typical development, delayed development, and autism spectrum disorder. They found that dysregulation of chemokines at a young age can impede development and lead to an autism diagnosis. The team also identified certain chemokines that may be associated with autism and could ultimately assist with diagnosis.

Research Area: Microbiome

Title: Zinc is a key regulator of gastrointestinal development, microbiota composition and inflammation with relevance for autism spectrum disorders

Citation: Sauer AK, et al. Cell Mol Life Sci, 2022, 79:46, DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04052-w

Using 3D intestinal organoids grown under specific conditions to model gastrointestinal development, scientists showed that zinc depletion has a substantial impact on GI development and the microbiome composition. The study has implications for zinc deficiency in pregnancy and related disorders, such as “leaky gut” and autism.

Research Area: Childhood Obesity

Title: Multiplexed measurements of salivary fetuin-A, insulin, and adiponectin as potential non-invasive biomarkers in childhood obesity

citation: Selvaraju, A, et al. Cytokine, 2022, 153:155843. DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155843

Researchers conducting a study of childhood obesity collected saliva samples from 76 participants. They used xMAP Technology to measure salivary markers such as fetuin-A, insulin, and adiponectin, and found that fetuin-A and insulin were increased, and adiponectin was decreased in obese children. With further study, these markers could help predict a child’s risk of developing obesity early enough for intervention.

Research Area: Dengue Fever

Title: Peptide Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Dengue Infection

Citation: Falconi-Agapito F, et al. Frontiers in Immunol, January 2022, 13: 793882, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.793882

Scientists developed an xMAP-based immunoassay for 20 peptides associated with dengue virus infection and evaluated it with hundreds of human samples to determine its utility. They found that analysis of six peptides led to improved sensitivity for viral detection.

Research Area: Tuberculosis

Title: Defining Discriminatory Antibody Fingerprints in Active and Latent Tuberculosis

Citation: Nziza N, et al. Frontiers in Immunol, April 2022, 13:856906, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.856906

Researchers used xMAP Technology for a study designed to distinguish between active and latent cases of tuberculosis in patients with and without HIV co-infection. They measured humoral immune response in adults with TB and identified a set of antigen-specific antibody profiles associated with both stages of the infection.

Research Area: COVID-19

Title: Simultaneous Measurement of IgM and IgG Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Spike, RBD, and Nucleocapsid Multiplexed in a Single Assay on the xMAP INTELLIFLEX® DR-SE Flow Analyzer

Citation: Cameron A, et al. Microbiol Spectr March/April 2022, 10(2), DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02507-21

Researchers modified a serological assay for SARS-CoV-2 infection to run on the new xMAP INTELLIFLEX® DR-SE flow analyzer. The instrument’s dual reporter capability allowed for simultaneous measurement of both IgM and IgG antibody responses for multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens in a single assay, as well as neutralization potential, over time.

xMAP INTELLIFLEX<sup>®</sup>

Congratulations to the researchers who published new studies powered by xMAP last year, and here’s to many more great publications in 2023!

You can browse even more publications citing xMAP Technology on our publications portal.

Check it out here >

Video: Take a Look Inside Our New LuminexPLORE Custom Services Lab

Watch our trusted team of experts in action as they optimize genomic and proteomic assays

We at Luminex launched our first custom service program several years ago to help clients accelerate the development of new assays based on our xMAP® Technology to support a broad range of scientific research applications. After receiving such high demand for these services, we hired a larger team of specialists and opened the doors to a brand-new custom assay development facility—the LuminexPLORE Lab.

Now, our trusty team of multiplex testing experts can optimize and develop complex genomic and proteomic assays to advance your projects and get to market faster. Through our custom services program, we can help you maximize productivity and stay competitive in a crowded and ever-evolving market. We build and optimize multiplex assays based on xMAP Technology to generate reliable answers quickly, with minimal sample volume needed.

Our experts can assist with almost any multiplexing project. Our team has 25 years of experience in research areas ranging from biomarkers and cancer to immunology and toxicity, and we have backgrounds in academia as well as industry. Here are the services we perform most frequently:

  • Antibody Pair Screening
  • Custom Coupling
  • Sample Testing
  • Assay Development
  • Assay Optimization
  • Assay Conversion
  • Add-On Assay Validation Options:
    • Precision (Intra and Inter)
    • Sensitivity (LoD)
    • Cross-Reactivity
    • Reagent Lot-to-Lot Testing
    • Reagent Scale-Up

To see the lab in action, check out the video on the LuminexPLORE Lab homepage. The five-minute video offers an inside look at the innovative work in our BSL-2 facility, outfitted with all of the xMAP Technology platforms, so we can help customers save time, sample, and cost with the same instruments they’re most comfortable utilizing. You’ll find a contact form at the bottom of the webpage—don’t hesitate to reach out and ask how we can help with your next project!

These products are for Research Use Only (RUO). Not for use in diagnostic procedures. Please contact Luminex at support@luminexcorp.com to obtain the appropriate product information for your country of residence.

Want more information? Fill out the form below to be contacted by one of our specialists.

Berlin Laboratory Incorporates Gut Microbiome Test Based on xMAP® Technology

In a new video, IMD scientists introduce their new microbiome laboratory

During the past two decades, scientists in the genomics community have made remarkable progress mapping the interactions between humans and the complex communities of microbes that live both in and on us. The gut microbiome, associated with conditions ranging from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to diabetes, has been of particular interest to clinical researchers.

The GA-map® Dysbiosis Test

Luminex partner Genetic Analysis, a pioneering diagnostics company based in Norway, developed the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test, a CE-marked assay designed to detect clinically relevant bacterial species to help healthcare professionals understand the gut microbiome profile of their patients. This test serves patients with IBD, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, and other gastrointestinal issues. Genetic Analysis selected xMAP® Technology as the foundation for this highly multiplexed test, which can be run in any standard PCR laboratory.

Presently, the test has been implemented at the Institute for Medical Diagnostics Berlin (IMD), which is more than just a standard PCR lab. With more than 400 employees, IMD offers a broad range of laboratory services in molecular diagnostics, microbiology, and transfusion medicine. Recently, IMD added to those services by implementing the GA-map Dysbiosis Test as part of its new microbiome lab. The organization is now able to offer gut microbiome testing to customers in Germany and throughout Europe.

In a statement announcing the news earlier this year, IMD Medical Director Volker von Baehr said, “The GA-map Dysbiosis Test is measuring the abundance of clinically relevant key bacteria in relation to a clinically defined, healthy, normal population. This is a major difference from other sequencing methods where each user must establish their own reference ranges for healthy and diseased cohorts.”

IMD and its high-throughput diagnostic testing facility using Multiplexing Technology

In a new video, Von Baehr and his colleagues at IMD describe their new microbiome lab as well as the clinical importance of gut microbiome testing. The brief video introduces IMD and its high-throughput diagnostic testing facility before emphasizing how their novel microbiome testing capabilities provide a more holistic view of each patient’s health. IMD scientists note that the GA-map Dysbiosis Test is particularly important because a majority of gut bacteria cannot be grown in culture, rendering conventional approaches infeasible. The test contains 48 probes that make it possible to detect more than 300 different species simultaneously in a single run.

Multiplexing technology provides the multiplicity essential to characterizing microbiome communities efficiently and effectively. Implementation of this multiplexed test helps drive better patient outcomes by providing a greater degree of specificity and accuracy in diagnosing GI problems.

Powering Microbiome Innovation using Luminex xMAP® Multiplexing Technology:

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For clinical laboratories in North America, the GA-map® Dysbiosis Test Lx is available as a research use only assay from Eagle Biosciences

Discover the Possibilities

Lab Automation: Scaling xMAP® Assays for High-Throughput Applications

Experts from Thermo Fisher Scientific give a glimpse into automated workflows when analyzing gene and protein expression

For many researchers who need the high-throughput enabled by bead-based xMAP® multiplexing technology, the ability to query many analytes is not enough, as many samples must also be run. That’s where automation comes in.

In a recent Labroots-hosted panel presentation, Thermo Fisher Scientific product managers Stefan Jellbauer and Bani Suri spoke about using xMAP assays in their automated workflows for a truly high-throughput gene and protein analysis pipeline while running 96-well or 384-well plates.

Going well beyond increased throughput

“We like to think of automation as a journey,” Suri said. For some scientists, it means adding a single robot to load samples. For others, it can mean automating an entire workflow or laboratory. No matter which option users take, automation offers a broad range of benefits. “Automation goes well beyond increasing throughput,” she added. Other advantages include minimizing hands-on time, reducing errors, improving reproducibility, and enabling data integration.

Thermo Fisher, a Luminex partner, has designed and commercialized multiple assays using xMAP Technology. In this presentation, Jellbauer and Suri focused on two assays specifically: the Invitrogen™ ProcartaPlex™ and QuantiGene™ Plex, which are multiplex assays designed for the analysis of up to 80 proteins or genes, respectively. Both can be paired in a streamlined workflow to generate both protein and gene expression data for a sample or set of samples using the same xMAP reader. In one example, Jellbauer explained how this approach was used to measure IL-8 and MCP-1 signals with the MAP INTELLIFLEX® System.

Automation reduces the time to results and it increases overall efficiency

According to Jellbauer, this kind of capacity is a good fit for applications such as high-throughput screening, where analyzing thousands of compounds might require processing hundreds of thousands of wells. In another example, he showed how one user applied this approach when analyzing nearly 5,000 samples in 3D cell culture. Having a multiplex screen “was really helpful to reach their goals,” he said. In general, automation reduces the time to results and it increases overall efficiency. Paired with xMAP-based assays, an automated approach allows researchers to generate a wealth of useful data.

For both the protein and gene expression analysis assays, Thermo Fisher offers a free, customizable data analysis tool to help researchers review and understand their results.

Learn more about xMAP-based assays offered by Thermo Fisher, or check out Luminex’s Kit Finder tool to see a list of all commercially available xMAP assays.:

Thermo Fisher xMAP-based Assays Kit Finder Tool

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Beyond Academia: Careers for Scientists in Industry

In a recent presentation, LuminexPLORE Lab scientist Frank Medina spoke about making the leap from an academic lab to industry

The path to science usually begins in academia, but it need not end there. For many scientists, there is considerable interest in venturing beyond the academic lab once their educational requirements have been met.

But most undergraduate and graduate scientific programs share a key trait: a lack of workshops, talks, and other information about career opportunities outside academia. The possibilities are virtually endless, yet they remain invisible to many researchers.

Exploring the many opportunities beyond the traditional lab

This is unfortunate because there are many wonderful career options for scientists. From pharmaceutical research to policy positions, from IP law to technical writing, there are countless positions that can be interesting and rewarding for those with a scientific background.

In a recent presentation, Luminex’s Frank Medina spoke about his transition from academia to industry. After completing his postdoc in protein science, he began searching for opportunities beyond the traditional lab. He found a great fit at our LuminexPLORE Lab, a custom assay development service based on xMAP® Technology.

As a scientist in the service lab, Dr. Medina enjoys the intellectual stimulation of his research projects, yet he also gets to see how his accomplishments have an immediate impact on clients’ work.

Focusing on education and interests is key to finding one’s career path

While the many career choices can be daunting, Dr. Medina recommends focusing on roles that fit one’s education and interests. In particular, he urges scientists to narrow their focus to career paths where they will enjoy those tasks they’ll be doing each day.

Dr. Medina also walked through several scientist-friendly career paths here at Luminex, many of which are broadly applicable across companies in the biotech industry. They include assay development, R∓D, applications support, sales, and marketing. Each offers its own benefits, such as plenty of travel for applications roles and a creative outlet in marketing. Check out our careers page to learn more.

There are also plenty of other resources to help scientists learn about careers beyond academia. Here are a few places to start:

Now that he’s successfully made the leap to industry, Dr. Medina longs to help other scientists explore the full career universe for themselves.

Watch the full presentation here:

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AMLI 2022: Novel Assays for Clinical Immunology and Research

Multiplexing can streamline tests for food allergies, autoimmune diseases, and more

With the fall conference season already gearing up, we can’t help but reflect on the summer events we attended over these past few months. Most recently, Luminex representatives attended the annual meeting held by the Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists (AMLI), which never fails to update attendees about news of the latest innovations and issues facing the diagnostic immunology field.

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Once again, the VALID Act is center stage

AMLI 2022, held in Salt Lake City, brought together a community of healthcare providers, lab directors, clinical scientists, and commercial diagnostic developers for thoughtful dialogue and discussions about new breakthroughs. Once again, as it had been for clinical chemistry experts attending AACC 2022, the VALID (Verifying Accurate Leading-edge IVCT Development) Act proved to be a considerable concern within the diagnostic immunology community. There is apprehension across clinical laboratories about how this bill could affect laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) if voted into law. While tasking the FDA with LDT regulation has always been a hot-button issue among clinical lab professionals, there is great awareness of the pivotal role LDTs played in allowing healthcare teams to care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. AMLI attendees reaffirmed the need to ensure that patient care is always prioritized.

Many clinical lab users of Luminex assay platforms prefer the flexibility of creating their own LDTs based on Bio-Rad Laboratories hosted a seminar about HIV diagnostics featuring their xMAP-based multiplexed kit for HIV antigen and antibody detection. Thermo Fisher Scientific also gave a presentation about autoimmunity and data-driven approaches for analysis.

Of course, we would like to thank all the AMLI attendees who took time out of their busy event schedule to connect with us at our booth in the exhibit hall. We were excited to see so many researchers interested in learning more about xMAP multiplexing technology, as well as Luminex’s ability to support and streamline diagnostic and research needs within immunology using exponential speed and unmatched accuracy.

Learn more about our xMAP applications or check out our Kit Finder portal to see an evergrowing collection of available xMAP-based kits:

xMAP® Assays Reveal More About Immune Response than Traditional Vaccine ELISAs

  • When to Launch an LDT: Key Factors to Consider
  • Development of a sensitive and specific xMAP assay for detection of antibodies against infectious laryngotracheitis and bronchitis viruses
  • ASM Submits Concerns On VALID Act

    • AACC 2022: A Treat to Reconnect with the Laboratory Community

    This year’s topics of interest included the VALID Act, GI testing, and dual-channel multiplexing technology.

    Each summer at Luminex, we look forward to the annual meeting of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). This year’s event at the massive McCormick Place venue in Chicago didn’t disappoint; it was a much-needed opportunity for Luminex representatives to reconnect with the laboratory community and share new ideas, discuss important issues such as the looming VALID Act, and survey the latest advancements in laboratory technology.

    This year’s features

    The meeting this year featured more than 275 expert speakers and an abundance of excellent educational opportunities for attendees. While much of the excitement among participants centered around the stellar sessions, we also noticed a great deal of enthusiasm about the community’s revived ability to meet at an in-person event. Networking with others in the clinical lab community is a major reason many participate in AACC each year, and it seemed attendees were eager to catch up, with attendance at post-session mixers and within the exhibit hall reaching nearly pre-pandemic levels.

    The VALID Act

    Naturally, the VALID Act was the subject of much discussion and at least one popular session. The bill has been working its way through Congress for several years now, and at AACC, there were experts on hand to discuss how the latest iteration of the legislation would affect laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) by requiring FDA oversight. We at Luminex are maintaining a close eye on this legislation since many of our customers design their own LDTs using our testing platforms.

    Connecting through education

    Other notable sessions covered a broad range of new technologies and updated approaches to clinical testing, particularly for improving diagnosis of GI-related conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease. Our parent company, DiaSorin, sponsored an educational workshop about primary aldosteronism, a rare condition that causes hypertension and for which there are highly effective treatments when a diagnosis is possible.

    Poster presentations elevate xMAP® Technology

    There were several posters presenting work using Luminex xMAP’s multiplexing technology. Key topics included developing a homebrew assay for reliably quantifying vaccine-induced immune responses, and a method comparison for detecting multiple biomarkers for classification of antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. A popular presentation was the poster from Jeff Borgia’s lab at Rush University, identifying novel autoantibody biomarkers for use in lung cancer screening with a homebrew assay in companion diagnostics.

    Presenting the xMAP INTELLIFLEX®

    We were also honored by the tremendous interest in xMAP® Technology and impressed by our customers’ conference participation. If you attended AACC this year, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We are already eager for AACC 2023!

    Discover the dual-channel xMAP INTELLIFLEX® System.

    Many stopped by our booth to learn more about the latest generation of xMAP Technology instruments.

    Learn More Here >>

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    Utility of xMAP For Multiplex Testing, Suspected Allergy, and Potential Cross-Reactivities in Food Samples (Food Testing)

    A game changer: multiplex technology enables scientists to detect multiple food allergens simultaneously within a single well. One run, one sample.

    According to the World Allergy Organization, allergic diseases are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide, and the burden of these diseases continues to increase. Fortunately, there are several methods that aid diagnosis including skin-prick testing and blood tests that evaluate IgE sensitization to specific allergens, also known as allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) blood tests. While the only way to truly diagnose a food allergy is to conduct an oral food challenge, there are drawbacks to this method: it is time consuming, labor intensive, and poses potential risk to patients’ health. Either way, once an individual knows they have an allergy to a particular food, they can choose to remove that food from their diet or limit its consumption.

    Food labeling highlights an unmet need: a practical way to test a single sample for multiple allergens

    Food labels are an important tool for informing individuals of the presence of potential allergens such as wheat, dairy, or peanuts, as well as related products. The 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act facilitates consumers’ ability to determine which food products to avoid to maintain a safe and healthy diet. Food testing laboratories have also been working to respond to individuals with multiple food allergies and address the need to determine if there are suspected allergy- and cross-reactive proteins in food samples.

    The xMAP® FADA enables food testing laboratories to efficiently detect multiple allergens within a single sample for the first time

    Much of this research in allergy and food sensitization has prompted food testing laboratories to consider utilizing multiplex technology to measure allergens within food samples. The published article, Multi-laboratory validation of the xMAP®—Food Allergen Detection Assay: A multiplex, antibody-based assay for the simultaneous detection of food allergens, discusses how scientists from Radix and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the US FDA developed a robust food allergen detection assay using Luminex’s xMAP Technology. This assay deploys multiplex methods to detect 14 food allergens simultaneously, including gluten and sesame, within a single sample. The xMAP Food Allergen Detection Assay (xMAP FADA) enables increased quality control in food laboratories by testing for the presence of multiple food allergens at once.

    The ability to test for multiple allergens simultaneously separates the xMAP FADA assay from conventional ELISAs. In a single workflow, the following allergens are analyzed: almond (-12, -13), Brazil nut (-14, -15), cashew (-18, -19), coconut (-20, -21), egg (-25, -26), gluten (-27, -28), hazelnut (-29, -30), macadamia (-33, -34), milk (-35, -36), peanut (-37, -38), pine nut (-39, -42), pistachio (-43, -44), soy (-45, -46), and walnut (-47, -48), as well as one antibody for crustacean seafood (-22). The extra quality control bead sets included in the assay help ensure robust performance among problematic food matrices such as meat sausage, orange juice, baked muffins, and dark chocolate. Validation established across multiple laboratories over a six-year period demonstrated excellent performance by analysts with varying lab proficiency.

    Learn more about multiplex testing with xMAP Technology in our Resources section.

    Discover the Possibilities Today!

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