Planet xMAP USA 2008 Symposium >>

Discover a World of Applications with xMAP® Technology

Millipore Workshop
12:00-12:30pm

'MILLIPLEX MAP: The New Way to Multiplex from Millipore'

Presenter: Linda Meeh, Ph.D. Group Product Manager, Biomarkers and Immunoassays, Millipore 

Workshop Abstract:
Beadlyte® and LINCOplex® products, two of the industry’s original and best-in-class multiplex portfolios, are now combined into one newproduct: MILLIPLEX MAP. The first kits available in the MILLIPLEX MAP  format are the Human and Mouse Cytokine/Chemokine Panels.  These panels are expanded with new analytes, offered in a flexible, customizable panel format as well as premixed configurations, and  include many new features and benefits unique to Millipore.

Company Overview: 
The expertise of LINCO and Upstate are now part of Millipore, providing a wide range of immunoassay kits for the detection of biomarkers associated with a variety of therapeutic areas, including metabolic syndrome (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease), inflammation, immunology, and oncology, as well as panels for the study of growth factors, cell signaling proteins, and isotyping. These include preconfigured and fully customizable panels that utilize the Luminex® xMAP® technology platform. Millipore also provides contract immunoassay services by experts with more than 20 years of experience developing and performing immunoassays on human and animal research specimens. www.millipore.com

Invitrogen Workshop
12:30-1:00pm

'Human Ultrasensitive Cytokine 10-Plex for the Luminex xMAP Platform'

Presenter:  Mark Surby, Ph.D., Invitrogen, Field Application Scientist

Workshop Abstract:
Profiling low concentrations of Th1/Th2 and proinflammatory cytokines can yield valuable information about immune system status in clinical and subclinical disease states. To facilitate cytokine profile analysis, Invitrogen has recently developed an Ultrasensitive Cytokine 10-Plex Assay for the Luminex xMAP Platform. Analytes include human GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α. This assay system is validated for high content, high sensitivity serum, plasma, and tissue culture medium applications. Through careful choice of antibody pairs and use of proprietary buffer formulations, we are able to achieve an improvement in sensitivity of approximately 10-fold compared to our conventional cytokine assays for the Luminex xMAP platform. Sensitivities for all 10 analytes are 1 picogram per milliliter or less. Other performance characteristics, including assay precision, recovery, linearity of dilution, and calibration to NIBSC reference preparations, are similar to our conventional assays.

Company Overview:  
The BioSource™ division of Invitrogen is a primary manufacturer of reagents for the study of  extracellular and intracellular pathways. Invitrogen’s expertise is in the formulation of both single analyte analysis assays, cytokine ELISAs and phosphoELISAs, as well as multiplex assays for Luminex. Other reagents manufactured and distributed by Invitrogen include recombinant proteins and active kinases, primary and secondary antibodies, PCR probes and primers. www.invitrogen.com/biosource

Bio-Rad Workshop
1:00-1:30pm

'Multiplex Analysis Redefined'

Presenter: Deyrick Dean, Ph.D., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA

Workshop Abstract:
Bio-Rad’s Bio-Plex® Suspension Array System is the most widely cited xMAP® platform for life science research and the first to offer multiplex immunoassays on magnetic beads for easier and more reliable separations.

We present new additions to the Bio-Plex Pro and Precision Pro™ lines of magnetic bead-based multiplex assays including assays for 14 human diabetes, 9 human angiogenesis and 9 human acute phase targets.  Technical specifications, limits of quantitation, and data for the validation of the new multiplex assay panels using human disease samples will be presented. This new magnetic workflow enables a simplified transition from ELISA to multiplex analysis.

Company Overview: 
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is a multinational manufacturer and distributor offering a broad range of innovative tools and services for life-science research and clinical diagnostics. Based in Hercules, California, Bio-Rad serves more than 70,000 research and industry customers worldwide, via a network of over 30 wholly owned subsidiary offices.  Bio-Rad offers xMAP® technology for life science research with the Bio-Plex® suspension array system and for clinical diagnostics with the fully automated BioPlex 2200® system. These industry-leading systems are the first to offer assays on magnetic xMAP beads. Visit us at www.bio-rad.com to learn more about Bio-Rad's complete xMAP work flow solutions including instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis software, a wide selection of polystyrene and magnetic assays, plus knowledgeable support with
on-site service. www.bio-rad.com

PerkinElmer Workshop
1:45-2:15pm

'The JANUS CS Autoplex Workstation: a Fully Integrated Luminex xMAP Multiplex HTS Solution for Immunodiagnostics, Molecular Diagnostics and Drug Discovery'

Presenter:  David M. Bourdon, Ph.D., Applications Scientist, PerkinElmer

Workshop Abstract:
Increasing needs to analyze large sample populations for multiple targets has lead to the development of high-content screening methods to examine small sample volumes in a multi-analyte format.  Cytokine screening panels are a perfect example of where Luminex xMAP multiplex technology has greatly facilitated the utility of such an approach with increased speed, dynamic range, and sensitivity.  Even with such technology, manual sample processing can significantly affect the analysis results through sample contamination, process variation, and human error, all of which lead to substantial labor and material costs as well as decreased productivity. 

The JANUS® line of flexible, fully automated, and readily scalable multi-functional liquid handling platforms, is able to handle a variety of applications including xMAP technology to minimize variables that may affect test results.  JANUS automation of xMAP assays leads to increased accuracy, precision, and speed of sample processing.  Data presented here outline full “walk-away” automation of xMAP polystyrene and magnetic beads-based cytokine screening assays using the user-friendly PerkinElmer JANUS CS Autoplex Workstation.  These data demonstrate that the JANUS CS Autoplex Workstation can easily serve as a turnkey automated solution for a variety of high-content screening applications that require efficient, cost-effective multi-analyte detection.

Company Overview:  
PerkinElmer, a global leader in Health Sciences, provides instruments, reagents, software and services for drug discovery/development, genetic screening, environmental testing, quality assurance, and health sciences end markets.  Our fully integrated solutions enhance productivity, optimize performance, accelerate time-to-market and ensure quality of results for pharmaceutical, biotech, academic research, clinical screening, environmental, and other high-growth markets. ww.las.perkinelmer.com

Panomics Workshop
2:15-2:45pm

EMD (Novagen)/RBM Workshop
2:45-3:15pm

'Multi-Analyte Biomarker Detection:  From the Lab to the Clinic'

Presenters:  Dominic Eisinger, PhD. Director, Strategic Development, Rules-Based Medicine and  Scott Hayes, Ph.D., Director, Functional Proteomics R&D, EMD Novagen

Workshop Abstract:
Quantitative Multi-Analyte Profiles (MAPs) for protein biomarker analysis have broad applications in clinical trials, disease modeling, and drug safety and efficacy evaluation. RBM’s biomarker testing service, which is CLIA certified and supports GLP studies, provides pre-clinical and clinical researchers with reproducible, quantitative immunoassay data for hundreds of proteins from a small sample volume and from multiple species. We now describe highly validated and functionally defined RBM multiplex panels available from EMD for researchers who prefer to run the assays in-house. The availability of RBM MAPs in kit form enables researchers to generate results that can be correlated with clinical data obtained through the RBM testing service.

Company Overview: 
Rules-Based Medicine
Rules-Based Medicine, Inc. provides comprehensive quantitative Multi-Analyte Profiles (MAPs) on hundreds of proteins from small samples as a service to customers and collaborators.  RBM’s clientele includes the major companies and research institutions throughout the pharmaceutical and life-sciences industry.

EMD (Novagen)
Novagen® is a brand of EMD Chemicals, Inc. (EMD), a subsidiary of Merck KgaA. Through EMD / Merck, the products of Novagen and its sister brand Calbiochem®, provide a broad range of optimum quality research products used worldwide in disease-related life science research, including the range of WideScreen™ Assays for the xMAP® platform. www.emdbiosciences.com

MiraiBio Workshop
3:30-4:00pm

Company Overview: 
Hitachi Software, founded in 1971, is a global software leader with a long history of delivering best in class solutions. The company has offered value-add software solutions for the xMAP platform since 2000. www.miraibio.com

Inverness Medical Professional Diagnostics and Zeus Scientific Workshop
4:00-4:30pm

'AtheNA Multi-Lyte® - The Leader in Diagnostic Multiplex Lab Solutions'

Presenter:  Mark J. Kopnitsky, Vice President, Research and Development, Zeus Scientific, Inc.

Workshop Abstract:
Mark will review their history with the xMap technology and describe how they have used this award-winning platform to develop an entire line of commercial, clinical immunoassays.  His presentation will highlight features unique to the AtheNA Multi-Lyte product line, as well as their broad line of commercial IVD products, both existing and those under development.

Company Overview: 
Zeus Scientific, Inc. is a global healthcare company whose mission is to provide innovative, high-quality, cost-effective diagnostic products for the enhancement of patient care.  Explore the broadest multiplex menu in the diagnostic market with the state-of-the-art AtheNA Multi-Lyte® Test System for diagnosis of autoimmune and infectious disease. www.zeusscientific.com

As a worldwide market leader in rapid diagnostic and clinical testing, Inverness Medical offers a full line of tests for laboratories where delivery of fast, accurate results is critical. With patented, innovative technologies, our trusted assays can improve patient care in practices of any size. Our catalog of testing options includes autoimmune disease, infectious and enteric diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases. Explore the broadest multiplex menu in the diagnostic market with the state-of-the-art AtheNA Multi-Lyte® Test System for diagnosis of autoimmune and infectious disease. www.invernessmedicalpd.com

Fisher Healthcare Workshop
4:30-5:00pm

Presenter:  Michele Schwark, MT(ASCP), Molecular Specialist, Fisher HealthCare

Workshop Abstract:
The recent FDA clearance of Prima xTAG™ RVP (Respiratory Viral Panel) for the detection of 12 clinically relevant respiratory viral pathogens offers significant clinical and healthcare economic value to hospitals.  This workshop will review panel composition, basic test process, reimbursement and test start-up guidelines for labs with existing molecular services as well as labs performing their first nucleic acid-based  procedures.

Company Overview: 
Fisher HealthCare provides offerings to meet the needs of highly automated testing locations and point of care sites such as emergency rooms, bedsides, or outpatient clinics. We offer the largest portfolio of options for every clinical laboratory discipline—automated systems, rapid diagnostics, and all consumables. We constantly look for diagnostic solutions that will improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. Our U.S. market private label partnership with Luminex broadens our molecular diagnostics portfolio while providing our customers with proven diagnostic solutions built on xMAP technology. The new Prima™ Molecular system from Fisher utilizes the patented xMAP technology from Luminex Corporation. www.fisherhealthcare.com