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How does xMAP® technology compare to flow cytometry?
Because xMAP technology was originally developed using the principles of flow cytometry, the xMAP technology-based instrument and a general flow cytometer share basic technology such as lasers, fluidics, and optics. In addition, they both have the ability to identify and report the result of a microsphere-based assay. However, unlike other flow cytometer microsphere-based assays which use a combination of different sizes and color intensities to identify an individual microsphere, patented xMAP technology uses a single 5.6 micron size microsphere and a proprietary dying process to create 100 unique dye mixtures which are used to identify an individual microsphere.
In order to take xMAP technology to the next level, Luminex developed and manufactured the Luminex instrument to overcome the limitations of a general-purpose flow cytometer. This was achieved by increasing digital signal processing performance, optimizing fluidics for a single size microsphere and developing powerful software in order to multiplex up to 100 analytes in a single well.
How does xMAP technology compare with other bioassay products?
Due to robust multiplexing, xMAP technology potentially delivers more data in less time than other bioassay products, with comparable results to ELISA and Microarray. The technology offers several other distinct advantages over traditional methods:
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Speed/High Throughput — Because each microsphere serves as an individual test, a large number of different bioassays can be performed and analyzed simultaneously |
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Versatility — A single xMAP technology-based system can perform bioassays in several different formats, including nucleic acids and antigen-antibody binding, along with enzyme, receptor-ligand and other protein interactions |
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Flexibility — The technology can be customized for the user’s specific needs or updated periodically by attaching a specific probe to a uniquely colored microsphere |
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Accuracy — The technology generates real-time analysis and accurate quantification of the biological interactions |
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Reproducibility — High-volume production of xMAP microspheres within a single lot allows assay standardization that solid-phased flat arrays cannot provide |
Importantly, no other solution addresses the needs of applications requiring both a high density and high throughput at the same time. Traditional ELISA, real-time PCR and other technologies that excel at high-throughput applications (greater than 1000 samples per day) lack the ability to multiplex more than 5 tests at a time. On the other hand, microarray technology excels in high-density screening (greater than 250-plex tests) — but lacks the reproducibility needed for high-throughput applications. For applications requiring a throughput of up to 1000 samples per day, multiplexing from one to 100 tests per sample, xMAP technology stands virtually alone.
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