PI/Head: Olaf
ROTZSCHKE, Ph.D.
Email: Olaf_Rotzschke@immunol.a-star.edu.sg
Manager: Wilson HOW
Email: Wilson_How@immunol.a-star.edu.sg
Using
advanced technology, the SIgN MAP facility offers a high-throughput, simultaneous screening service of protein
targets/analytes from a single sample at sample volumes as low as 25ul.
Overview
Multiplexing
methods are commonly used in the screening of potential biomarkers in large clinical cohorts and
immunomonitoring research applications. Integrated with the SIgN Immunomonitoring Platform, we provide an
one-stop solution to ease the lives of our researchers by maximizing sample data value from precious clinical
samples while saving time and money.
Technologies
and Approach
One of the
main technology that we use is the Luminex® xMAP® technology.
It is a bead-based multiplexed immunoassay system in a microplate format, which allows researchers to
simultaneously quantify analytes/biomarkers in a single 25ul sample. This technology combines advanced fluidics,
optics, and digital signal processing with proprietary microsphere technology to deliver multiplexed assay
capabilities. xMAP® beads
are internally labeled with different intensities of two fluorophores. Target-specific proteins such as
antibodies and nucleic acids can be coupled to these beads. Each bead or bead region is coated/coupled with a
capture antibody for one specific target. Multiple-analyte specific beads are then combined in single well,
before detecting and quantifying by Luminex® analyzer
FLEXMAP 3D®. Using a
dual laser system, bead region is identified at 635nm excitation and reporter dye detected at 532nm at the same
time. This provides information on both bead signature and analyte concentrations in the sample. The
incorporation of DropArray™ technology also enables a great reduction in multiplex cost and volumes of valuable
clinical samples used.