New Software Offers a Streamlined User Experience for the xMAP INTELLIFLEX® System

INTELLIFLEX combines new hardware and software to maximize flexibility and versatility

As we designed the INTELLIFLEX Systems the newest generation of bead-based multiplexing xMAP® Technology instrumentation—we reviewed years of user feedback and worked closely with our customers to understand which features are important for streamlining their research.

The INTELLIFLEX System not only has updated optical and fluidics components, but also comes with brand new integrated software, delivering an improved user experience.

There are a number of enhancements that set this software package apart from the programs that came with previous xMAP instruments, allowing you to:

  1. Get started quickly. INTELLIFLEX is designed for speed, and we want to empower users to quickly navigate the system and get to work. Users can design and start a plate in as little as 15 seconds and can use predefined modular components to rapidly program complex acquisitions.
  2. Customize and streamline your workflow. Our latest software was designed to give users as many options as possible. It allows for manual or imported setup, as well as highly customizable data output, so users can deploy partner software packages for analytics if desired.
  3. Maneuver with ease. To really deliver a simplified workflow, we focused on making the software intuitive. It has an easier learning curve than prior software packages, while maintaining the most important functionalities. We also incorporated streamlined software pathways for key features, prioritized based on input from xMAP users.

Want to see the new INTELLIFLEX Software in action? Check out the video to see these features for yourself!

Learn more about xMAP INTELLIFLEX here.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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Serial ELISAs Keeping You in the Lab? Switch to Multiplexing and Save

Multiplexing can be your path to saving time, money, and sample

It’s no secret that we’re big advocates for multiplexing—with more than 54,000 publications citing xMAP® Technology across dozens of applications, the benefits it offers are well-established. For protein- and nucleic acid-based applications, multiplex assays can detect up to 500 targets simultaneously in a single run, enabling users to conserve samples and providing cost- and time-saving benefits—all while generating a lot more information compared to traditional singleplex assays.
One of the hurdles of switching to multiplexing can be knowing what to look for when deciding on which platform best fits your needs. We’ve provided insight on this question and more in our recently published Multiplex Technology Guide, now available for download through our partner, Biocompare. Some of the topics reviewed in the guide include:

  • The advantages of multiplexing
  • The benefits of combining automation with multiplexing
  • Using multiplex immunoassays to measure cytokines in human plasma
  • An overview of how to develop multiplex serology assays (including for SARS-CoV-2)
  • Strategies to ensure data quality prior to reporting results

By querying up to 500 different analyte targets in a single reaction, xMAP Technology gives you access to an enormous amount of data that could otherwise take multiple days and hundreds of serial ELISAs to generate.

This approach not only saves time, costs, and requires far less sample volume, it also improves consistency in your data by eliminating confounding variables introduced when running separate reactions such as different buffers, reagents, or operators. And since xMAP Technology supports automation, you can take advantage of these benefits and more with additional reductions in the amount of hands-on time needed.

This new reference guide also looks at our newest xMAP platform, the recently released xMAP® INTELLIFLEX System, which was designed to take multiplex assays to new levels. Not only does it offer an enhanced dynamic range, it also introduces a dual reporter channel that makes it possible to detect two parameters on every bead, effectively doubling the data for each analyte measured. This feature offers significant benefits for life science researchers who need to:

  • Compare total and phosphorylated forms of a protein
  • Monitor two distinct post-translational modifications
  • Measure two antigen-specific antibody isotypes
  • Test free vs. bound drug
  • Detect protein cleavage and splice variants
  • Perform SNP genotyping
  • Measure gene expression
  • And more!

Whether you’re still considering if multiplexing is right for you or you’re an advanced xMAP user, we’re confident you’ll find this reference guide valuable. Download it now for more information.

Download the xMAP Multiplex Guide here.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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5 Ways the New xMAP INTELLIFLEX® System Will Empower Your Research

The newest member of the xMAP® family delivers exciting new features that allow you to do more with less

The next generation of xMAP® Technology is officially available! The new xMAP INTELLIFLEX® platform combines the proven performance of our bead-based xMAP multiplexing technology with modern features to enhance performance, empower assay development innovation, and simplify the user experience.

With several new features, xMAP INTELLIFLEX offers far more than just five benefits for researchers looking to expand their discovery, but we know that in this day and age, your time is more precious than ever, so we’ve consolidated the key benefits here to provide a summary of the top five ways xMAP INTELLIFLEX can empower your research and allow you to do more with less.

5 Ways xMAP INTELLIFLEX® Empowers Your Research:

  1. It delivers reliable, comprehensive results—whether you design your own assays or use commercially available kits.
    xMAP INTELLIFLEX builds on more than 25 years of xMAP innovation and features the widest dynamic range of any xMAP platform, allowing you to avoid repeat testing due to out-of-range values. In addition to supporting custom assay development, the system is also compatible with existing commercially available assays from both Luminex and our extensive partner network. Between femtogram-level sensitivity from some assays and its broad dynamic range, xMAP INTELLIFLEX Systems allow you to generate data even from very low levels of protein or nucleic acid.
  2. It maximizes the data you can get from less sample.
    xMAP Technology is well known for reading up to 500 microspheres in a single reaction. The platform now offers a unique dual reporting capability through an optional second reporter channel, effectively doubling the amount of data you can generate from each analyte.
  3. The software is flexible and intuitive.
    xMAP INTELLIFLEX Software features a modular, building block design, allowing you to quickly master the platform with the ability to optimize workflows and start collecting data quickly. Additionally, data can be exported into common analysis tools with customizable views, simplifying analysis and data management.
  4. We prioritized ease of use.
    This intuitive system streamlines the user experience: barcode scanning minimizes errors, and our easy-to-use software requires minimal training. Control everything through the integrated touchscreen, which can be operated effortlessly, even while wearing gloves (don’t worry, we checked).
  5. Minimal bench space is no problem.
    We know that bench space is at a premium in every lab. With this in mind, we designed the systems to be as compact as possible. The PC and monitor are built in, and while you can connect a wireless keyboard and mouse, neither is necessary to operate the instrument.

The new xMAP INTELLIFLEX platform packs a lot of value in a compact system, with low- and high-plex capabilities and flexible, intuitive software, xMAP INTELLIFLEX offers everything that modern labs need to save time and precious sample. For a more comprehensive view of this new flow-based platform, check out this recent presentation that discusses some of the exciting applications made possible by xMAP INTELLIFLEX, or head on over to our website for more details.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Learn more about xMAP INTELLIFLEX

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Why Researchers Love xMAP® Technology

With more than 54,000 cited papers, xMAP® is the world’s most used multiplexing technology

Since the breakthrough that led to the development of xMAP® Technology—the original idea that using different fluorophore colors could enable the detection of more than one analyte at a time—we have continued to build on what xMAP Technology can do, working with researchers from around the world to streamline immunoassays, expand discovery, and support innovation.

xMAP multiplexing technology has been in labs for more than 25 years, which seems like a lifetime in a field that advances as quickly as ours does. With continued investment and innovation, however, xMAP Technology has kept pace with the evolving needs of the researchers who use it—our newest addition to the xMAP lineup, xMAP® INTELLIFLEX, is an excellent example of that. Today, scientists using xMAP systems can detect as many as 500 analytes in a single reaction.

Researchers have used xMAP for novel applications across broad research areas. Some of its prominent applications include biomarker discovery and profiling, gene expression, protein quantification, DNA barcoding, mapping signaling networks, vaccine development, cancer research, pathogen detection, and HLA typing for transplants.

We asked and our xMAP users answered—why do you love xMAP?

We recently connected with scientists in the xMAP Community and asked them to share their thoughts on how xMAP Technology has made a difference to them, and we were humbled by the responses.

Brian McFarlin, PhD, Professor, Associate Dean, and co-director of the Applied Physiology Lab at the University of North Texas uses xMAP Technology to explore inflammatory pathways and their associated molecules. “The power of xMAP is not being restricted to a small set of markers, but being able to expand to include novel biomarkers without impacting throughput or budget,” he said.

One of the most important factors for his lab is reducing the time to get results. “We used to spend weeks just analyzing three cytokines, but now we can spend two days and analyze up to 100 cytokines on thousands of samples,” he told us. Dr. McFarlin recommends that xMAP users embrace automation if possible—even if it’s just a good electronic repeater pipette. He also encourages users to reach out to Luminex’s Field Application Scientists with questions. “Take advantage of their knowledge of xMAP,” he said. “They want to help!”

Thomas Joos, PhD, Deputy Managing Director of the Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) in Germany, has a long history with xMAP Technology. “It is our workhorse for immunoassays at NMI,” where more than 35 scientists, technicians, and engineers use it due to its speed, ease of use, multiplexing capabilities, and cost-effectiveness. They rely on it for serological assays, classical sandwich immunoassays, DigiWest® protein profiling services, sequential multiplex analyte capture, and co-immunoprecipitation. Dr Joos and his team have published more than 100 papers using xMAP Technology—with such an impressive track record, we can’t wait to see what else this talented team accomplishes in the future!

Building on more than 25 years of innovation

With a rich history of enabling groundbreaking research, we’re excited to unveil the latest development in multiplexing—the xMAP INTELLIFLEX. This new system is a modern, compact, flow-based platform intended for Research Use Only. Featuring an embedded PC and an intuitive touchscreen interface, it’s the same versatile multiplexing platform that researchers trust, with the added dimension of dual reporter analysis and the widest dynamic range of any xMAP platform.

Want to learn more? Visit our website to see all of these exciting new features!

Learn more about xMAP INTELLIFLEX here.

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Custom Assay Development Services Are Now Available Through LuminexPLORE Lab!

Need help using xMAP® Technology to couple beads or develop a new assay? Our team of expert scientists has you covered!

Since Luminex scientists developed xMAP® multiplexing technology in the late 1990s, researchers across the world have been drawn to the flexible, open architecture design of xMAP microspheres—or beads—for developing custom immunoassays. Compared to traditional methods, multiplexing can reduce time, labor, and costs, and xMAP bead technology supports everything from drug discovery and development to cancer research.

Not all users have the time or expertise to develop new assays, and custom immunoassay services are in huge demand. To meet that need, we’ve expanded our team and developed a service dedicated to developing custom assays⁠—the LuminexPLORE Lab.

Whether you are interested in using an existing kit to study a different species, interrogating an unusual tissue sample type, or anything in between, our team of Application Scientists are assay development experts who provide custom lab services. These tests range from discrete tasks (such as bead coupling) to developing and validating an entire multiplex immunoassay. We work closely with you to ensure we understand each project’s specific goals and deliver precisely what’s needed.

The team behind LuminexPLORE Lab

The LuminexPLORE Lab is run by Jackie Surls, PhD, an immunoassay expert with a background in building out molecular biology laboratories and designing molecular tests. Her familiarity with xMAP Technology made her a great fit to launch our custom services lab in 2019.

More recently, Jackie has added several members to her team. Here are the newest scientists in the lab:

Jackie Surls, PhD, LuminexPLORE Lab Custom Assay Development Director

Rhea Kang, PhD

Rhea Kang, PhD, LuminexPLORE Lab Scientist

Background: Worked extensively in proteomics and genomics at a major academic medical center.

Why the lab matters: “We’re helping people and making contributions to the scientific community.”

Advice for customers: “We’re always happy to set up a meeting, answer questions, and talk about how the LuminexPLORE Lab can help customers—whether they’re just thinking about a project or have already tried it themselves.”

Frank Medina, PhD

Background: Researched protein degradation in an academic lab and processed COVID‑19 samples and tests at a CLIA lab.

Why use xMAP Technology? “You can do anything with xMAP Technology, the possibilities are endless. From proteomics or nucleic acid assays to serology assays, it’s so customizable.”

Advice for customers: “A lot of labs want to try developing custom assays on their own, but it can be so much easier to come to the home of the technology and work with us. With our custom assay development service, you know you’re getting the best assay possible because Luminex scientists are developing it.”

Frank Medina, PhD, LuminexPLORE Lab Scientist

Carrie Wittmer, MS

Carrie Wittmer, MS, LuminexPLORE Lab Scientist

Background: Researched neurodegenerative diseases in biotech and pharma, in part by using xMAP Technology to generate more data from low-volume samples by multiplexing immunoassays instead of running serial ELISA tests.

How the lab can help: “Everyone here is a dedicated scientist; we all have a wide range of industry and academic experience.”

Advice for customers: “If you’re struggling with a project, it’s probably something we can help with. You may be experiencing a problem we’ve already gone through and can solve for you.”

LuminexPLORE Lab offers custom assay development services, assay troubleshooting, and more! If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help accelerate your research, check out the LuminexPLORE Lab page here.

Learn more about our LuminexPLORE Lab Offerings

Accelerate Your Research Today >

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Meet xMAP INTELLIFLEX®! A First Look at the Newest xMAP® Technology Platform

xMAP INTELLIFLEX® delivers double the data for each analyte with the new dual reporter feature

For the past 25 years, xMAP® Technology has been the gold standard in bead-based multiplexing. Building on this proven performance, xMAP INTELLIFLEX® brings exciting new benefits, including low- and high-plex capabilities, quick time to reliable results, and dual reporter capability, which delivers data for two parameters per analyte simultaneously for up to 500 analytes per well.

Launching soon, xMAP INTELLIFLEX is the next generation of our xMAP platforms. It features a compact footprint, an integrated touchscreen PC, and intuitive software—simplifying the user experience—and will be backward compatible with an extensive menu of more than 1,200 commercially available assays. Further, with its open architecture design, the xMAP INTELLIFLEX System will support assay development innovation for new and existing users alike.

The evolution of the dual reporter system

Previous xMAP systems relied on two lasers (red and green) to identify each bead and detect the captured analyte. The xMAP INTELLIFLEX System incorporates a third laser (violet), which enables the measurement of two parameters per analyte for up to 500 analytes per well. This dual reporter feature will be ideal for isotyping applications, such as detecting two antibody isotypes to the same antigen. Researchers in pharmacology and drug discovery could also use it to measure free versus bound drug. With xMAP, the possibilities are endless.

In validation studies conducted by Luminex and our partners, there has been excellent concordance between data generated using xMAP INTELLIFLEX and previous xMAP platforms, indicating that assays run on earlier platforms should be compatible with INTELLIFLEX. We’ve also demonstrated that signals in the dual reporter system are clearly discriminated, so there’s no interference between the two elements being detected. With a broad dynamic range and the power to optimize workflows, there’s a lot to be xCITED about regarding the new xMAP INTELLIFLEX.

xMAP INTELLIFLEX in action

In a recent presentation, Luminex team members Dr. Sherry Dunbar and Josh Jenkins offered a sneak peek at some of the new system’s features and discussed some of the exciting applications made possible by INTELLIFLEX. Also included is an overview of the latest research being conducted on the xMAP platform—including recent work in immunogenicity, where xMAP Technology enabled the simultaneous screening of anti-drug-antibodies and isotyping in a single multiplex assay.

Don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself why xMAP has been the gold standard in multiplexing for more than 25 years. View the entire presentation here, and sign up to be among the first to know when xMAP INTELLIFLEX launches!

Sign Up For Launch Updates!

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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COVID-19 and Characterizing the Immune Response: A Method for Isotyping Using xMAP® Technology

In a recent white paper, authors describe an assay modification to measure the COVID-19 antibody response in serum samples

While early measurements of COVID-19 patients’ antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 focused on the IgG isotype, IgA and IgM responses are also important for fully understanding the body’s immune response to COVID-19.

“IgA titers have been found to be significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients, and remained higher for a longer time than what has been seen in milder cases,” the authors pointed out. “Serological IgM and IgA responses may also be predictive of survival, with anti-spike IgM and IgA enriched in surviving donors and nucleocapsid-specific IgM and IgA at higher levels in individuals who died.”

To help investigators better characterize an individual’s immune status, the Luminex Team designed a new method to expand our xMAP® SARS-CoV-2 Multi-Antigen IgG Assay for serological isotype profiling in a recent white paper.

The study began with the xMAP SARS-CoV-2 Multi-Antigen IgG Assay—a serological assay that uses multiplex beads to detect antibodies reactive to multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens in human serum and plasma. The assay kit detects IgG antibodies in serum and plasma that bind to the viral nucleocapsid antigen, the spike 1 domain of the spike antigen, and the receptor binding domain portion of the spike protein. In the white paper, the assay was further modified to evaluate IgM and IgA responses.

For validation, the authors demonstrated the chronological evolution of the three isotypes in donor samples. They analyzed 20 samples collected prior to December 2019 and 66 samples collected from 40 unique donors who were SARS-CoV-2-positive. Nine donors were sampled at multiple time points, ranging from 1 to 116 days post-symptom onset. As part of this work, the team also tested multiple assay conditions and detailed the technical procedure and results.

The modified assay demonstrated the expected earlier onset of IgM and IgA, followed by a faster return to pre-infection levels compared to IgG (which is more prevalent). This was seen both in single-timepoint and longitudinal samples taken from individual donors post-onset of symptomatic illness.

Further, the authors investigated how the IgA, IgG, and IgM titers for all three antigens (nucleocapsid, RBD, and S1) changed following the onset of symptoms, and noted that serological “IgA and IgM collectively make up around 20% of total circulating antibody in the blood, and reflect different stages of the immune response during COVID-19 progression.”

This update to the xMAP assay enables the rapid and high-throughput quantification of the IgM and IgA responses to multiple viral antigens, supporting improved characterization of the human immune response to SARS-CoV-2. As the pandemic evolves, being able to determine a patient’s immune status will be a critical part of understanding COVID-19 progression.

Read more about the study here.

Read the White Paper on the Study Here.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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Five xMAP® Technology Tips from Luminex Tech Support

Whether you’re a new or experienced xMAP® Technology user, our Technical Support Team can help you! They’ve compiled five tips based on questions that users frequently ask.

Tip #1: Frustrated by verification failure?

Some MAGPIX® verification failures are the result of debris on the chamber or clogs in the sample probe and in the sample lines. As the composition of the debris is generally unknown, running the Enhanced Startup routine twice—once with 0.1N NaOH for the Sanitize and Clean commands, and again with 20% bleach⁠—will generally clear up minor debris and clogs. Still not fixed? The degree of clog can be determined by reviewing the Calibration/Verification Report and Support Utility.

Tip #2: Getting an error code?

The most common instrument code is 800C9580. This is a system code, not an error code, and will accompany both MAGPIX® and LXR (Luminex® 200™ and FLEXMAP 3D®) error codes. MAGPIX error codes resemble 2091[XXXX] and 2XXX; LXR codes will begin with “0x-“. If you receive this code, check the System Log or contact Luminex Customer Support with the support utility file to determine the actual error.

Tip #3: Looking for proteins to develop your own assay?

In addition to the xMAP® Kit Finder and the xMAP Cookbook, Linscott’s Directory is a great resource, with over 2,100,000 unique antibody listings and 1,000,000 other immunological and biological reagents.

Tip #4: Does your quantitative protein assay lack sensitivity?

Try increasing the primary incubation. Primary incubation times to test are one hour, two hours, and overnight. One and two hour incubations can be performed at room temp while shaking. Overnight incubations should be performed while refrigerated and shaking.

Tip #5: Want stellar protein coupling?

Before coupling proteins (including antibodies) to beads, verify the protein concentration via NanoDrop™, bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, or Bradford assay. While we don’t suggest a specific concentration, it’s always best to verify the protein concentration that’s on the label or in the certificate of analysis, as they aren’t always correct.

Take a look at our Customer Center, where you’ll find contact information, product documents, target values and Certificates of Quality, training resources, and more.

Have a question and don’t know where to start? View this flyer to see how we can help.

Interested in our Luminex Learning Sessions?

Multiplex Technology Optimizes Traditional Immunogenicity Testing

Scientists combine anti-drug screening and isotyping into a single assay using xMAP® Technology in a recent study

Assessing immunogenicity, or the potential of a biologic to elicit an immune response, is a critical step in drug discovery and development. In vaccine development, a strong immune response indicates that protection against an infectious disease has been achieved. However, in biotherapeutic development, signs of immunogenicity suggest that anti-drug antibody (ADA) production may lead to adverse events or limit the drug’s efficacy.

Traditional immunogenicity characterization methods are deployed in a tiered strategy, requiring multiple steps to determine the presence and titer of ADAs, antibody isotypes, and the neutralizing capacity of a drug. This process tends to be time-consuming and expensive, especially since it involves repeated freeze/thaw cycles and frequent sample handling, increasing the likelihood of unreliable results. Additionally, in some cases, sample volume may be limited.

However, multiplex immunoassays can combine immunogenicity tests to potentially overcome these obstacles—saving time and costs, preserving sample volume, and delivering high-confidence results.

Multiplexing delivers benefits by consolidating assays while delivering reliable results

In a recent study, researchers used xMAP® Technology to design a multiplex assay from two separate immunogenicity assays to simultaneously identify and isotype ADAs in humans who received Humira®, a TNF inhibitor with a well-documented immunogenicity profile that is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.

To evaluate the multiplex assay, scientists screened and isotyped 50 serum samples from healthy individuals and 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients that had never received Humira®. For screening, a bead set was coupled to Humira® and was then used to capture ADAs from the samples. For isotyping, human ADA isotypes were evaluated by coupling mouse isotype-specific capture antibodies to a unique bead set. The coupling confirmation test showed a high level of Humira® on the bead surface—with a median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of 26,923—and high MFI values for the isotype-specific bead sets and their respective human control antibodies as well.

Ultimately, this study demonstrates how multiplex technology can help streamline the traditional tiered approach for immunogenicity studies while reducing hands-on time and preserving both sample volume and integrity. The authors offer a detailed discussion on how their multiplex assay design could be customized, expanded, and optimized, and indicate that xMAP Technology could be valuable for immunogenicity assessment in clinical settings.

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Bead-Based Multiplex Assay Shines in Performance Analysis

xMAP® Technology offers significant advantages in recent comparison to electrochemiluminescence platform.

It’s clear why multiplex immunoassays play a prominent role in many modern laboratories. In addition to saving time, labor, and resources, multiplexing provides simultaneous quantification of multiple targets within small sample volumes.

Different multiplex platforms have individual strengths, and in a recent study, scientists at the University of Tübingen in Germany compared two commonly used technologies: an xMAP® Technology bead-based assay and an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) planar assay. Their goal was to compare the analytical performance characteristics of both multiplex systems when measuring 16 cytokines in identical human plasma samples. They assessed each platform based on quantification limits, dynamic range, detection rate, and hands-on time.

Clear benefits found with the bead-based assay

While both systems were found to have strong reproducibility and a similar dynamic range, there were key differences in the reported results. For example, the xMAP assay detected many cytokines that the ECL assay missed entirely.

“While comparative standard and quality control (QC) sample data suggested more sensitive cytokine detection with [ECL] vs [xMAP], these findings did not translate to results obtained with actual human plasma samples,” the scientists report in the study. “[xMAP] markedly outperformed [ECL] when assessing actual human plasma samples.”

The authors further clarify that the ECL assay classified most cytokine levels at less than half of what was found with the xMAP assay, suggesting that this contributed to the lower detection rates for the ECL assay.

In addition, the xMAP bead-based assay reduced hands-on time by more than a third compared to the ECL assay. It also offers greater multiplexing capacity. The use of beads makes it possible to query up to 500 analytes per well, while ECL assays are typically limited to just 10 analytes per well. Three different ECL 10-plex assay kits were used in this study to evaluate the same 16 cytokines, resulting in increased hands-on time.

“The potential cost, labor, and time savings associated with a larger multiplex set might be advantageous for certain applications, particularly with rare, expensive, or limited volume samples,” the scientists conclude.

To read the full study comparing these multiplex platforms, download our free white paper, or view the original publication in Frontiers in Immunology.

xMAP-based immunoassay kits offer significant benefits to researchers who need to get more data from less sample, as noted by the results of this study. For a catalog of over 1,300 available off-the-shelf kits, take a look at the xMAP Kit Finder. Over 1,300 kits are available from Luminex Partners. The Kit Finder allows you to filter by analyte, species, and vendor. Or, you are interested in exploring our custom assay development services, connect with our LuminexPLORE Lab—and see how our experts can help your lab reach its goals.

Download our free white paper here.

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