Multiplexing LASER Bead Technology

General Info

The term multiplexing was originally used in electronics in reference to the transmission of multiple signals at the same time. The biotechnical world has adopted the term to describe simultaneous testing of multiple targets in a single assay. Today, Multiplexing Laser Bead Technology allows for the simultaneous detection of up to 100 different analytes in a single well. It is at the forefront of biomedical multiplexing and facilitates advanced studies in numerous fields. The technology recently received acclamation as one of the most advanced and useful technologies, and was the 2006 recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation & Leadership of the Year Award.

Basics on 'How it Works'

The particular multiplexing technology that Eve Tech uses is based on color-coded polystyrene beads. Bead coloration is achieved by utilizing different concentrations of red and infrared fluorophore dyes to create 100 uniquely-colored bead sets. Considering that these bead sets contain a unique color/fluorophore signature (that can be individually identified by the bead analyzer such as a Bio-Plex 200), they can then be combined within the same assay well. For example, a capture antibody for IL-6 is coupled to a population of dark red beads, and a capture antibody for GM-CSF is coupled to a population of pink beads. These two antibody-coupled beads can now be mixed together forming a 2-plex. Each analyte is distinguished from the other because they are bound to differently colored/fluorescent beads.

The bead analyzer's enabling technologies include a dual-laser system and flow-cytometry. One laser activates the fluorescent dye within the beads which identifies the specific analyte. The second laser excites the fluorescent conjugate (streptavidin-phycoerythrin) that has been bound to the beads during the assay. The amount of the target analyte is in direct proportion to the amount of conjugate. The results are quantified according to a standard curve.

Assay Steps in Detecting Fluorescent Intensities

Technology Benefits and Applications
By enabling users to perform up to 100 bioassays simultaneously on a single sample, these assays are efficient, cost effective and have high accuracy ratings. Even single-plex assays (1 analyte target) on this platform are more efficient and cost effective than commonly used assay platforms such as ELISA. Today, there are hundreds of analyte-coupled beads available that can be combined and multiplexed together with other beads. Examples include profiling a sample's cytokine levels, determining the presence or titre of specific antibodies, gene expression profiling, detecting and quantifying components of cellular signaling and detecting the presence of cancer markers.

In addition to being highly efficient, these Multiplexing Laser Bead assays have a remarkable low demand on sample volume - often requiring only 2-25 µl of plasma, serum or other sample format. Clearly, it is much less demanding than ELISA or Western Blot.

Robotics and Automation
In order to maintain consistency and to manage costs, Eve Technologies utilizes robotic and other automated technologies such as Tecan platforms and the DAS Speedy AP22 workstation.