Luminex 100 User Manual Version 1.7 - Manual (Page 12)

Luminex 100 User Manual Version 1.7 x MAP Technology
1 - 2 PN 89-00002-00-063 Rev. A
signature. In addition, the Luminex 100 analyzer scans each
microsphere for the presence of a reporter fluorescence that
quantifies the assay at the microsphere’s surface.
The Luminex XYP works with 96-well plates that are no thicker than
0.75 inches. If you are not using the heater block, any brand of
microtiter plate that meets this size requirement will work. If you are
using the heater block, we recommend one of these two plates:
•
Polyfiltronics
®
96-well plate, 200 µL, catalog #7703-1902,
black.
• Costar
®
Thermowell
®
96-well plate, thin-wall polycarbonate,
model P.
The system reads the wells in column-first order. An entire column
of wells is read; that is, well A1, B1, C1, D1, and so on to the end of
the column. Then the XY Platform moves over to the next column
and reads well A2, B2, C2, D2, and so on. When placing a plate on
the plate holder, place it so well A1 is in the upper-left corner of the
holder. You can run an entire plate, a consecutive range of samples
from the plate, or a single sample from the plate.
Basic Concepts
Luminex has pioneered a versatile and robust technology for the
measurement of soluble analytes. The Luminex 100 system performs
simultaneous, discrete measurements of multiple microsphere-based
reactions from a single specimen aliquot. A clear understanding of
the concepts and functionality associated with the instrument and
xMAP microspheres contributes to greater success with this
technology. We present a brief overview of some of the basic
concepts. For more information, refer to Practical Flow Cytometry,
4th edition, by Howard M. Shapiro, M.D. (New York: Wiley-Liss
Inc., 2003).
Fluidics
There are two fluidic paths in the Luminex 100 analyzer. The first
path is a syringe-driven mechanism that controls the sample uptake.
This mechanism permits small sample uptake volumes from small
reaction volumes. The syringe-driven system transports a user-
specified volume of sample from a microtiter plate to the cuvette.
The sample is injected into the cuvette at a steady rate for analysis.
After analysis, the sample path is purged with sheath fluid by the
second fluidics path. This process expels sheath fluid into the sample
container and effectively removes residual sample within the tubing,
valves, and probe. The second fluidics path is driven under positive
air pressure and supplies sheath fluid to the cuvette.