Luminex xPONENT 3.1 - Manual (Page 15)

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Introduction
Multiple pipetting from the original container may affect bead concentrations. Protect the
xMAP beads from light at all times. Store xMAP beads at 2 to 8°C.
NOTE: Refer to the product information sheet that accompanies your
xMAP beads or assay for additional information.
Limitations
xMAP beads are susceptible to photobleaching; photobleaching effects are cumulative.
Minimize exposure of xMAP beads to light during your development and manufacturing
phases to maintain product integrity.
xMAP beads are hydrophobic in the aqueous medium provided and will settle if left
undisturbed. Resuspend prior to dispensing.
Do not use this product with strong organic solvents. For information on specific
compatibility, visit the Luminex Technical Support website at www.luminexcorp.com. From
the main page, click Support, then FAQs.
Safety Precautions
All samples should be regarded as potentially contaminated and treated as infectious.
These samples should be handled at the Biosafety Level 2 as recommended for any
potentially infectious human serum or blood specimen in the Center for Disease Control/
National Institutes of Health Manual, “Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories” 1984.
Although beads do not contain hazardous or carcinogenic components at toxic levels, they
may be toxic if swallowed. Contact with acids liberates toxic gases. If product comes in
contact with skin, wash immediately with copious amounts of water. In case of accident,
seek medical advice immediately and show the product label or container to your medical
provider. A Material Safety Data Sheet is available upon request.
WARNING: Reagents may contain sodium azide as a preservative. Sodium
azide may react with lead and copper plumbing to form highly
explosive metal azides. It is also highly toxic and rates a material
safety data sheet (MSDS) health hazard 4. On disposal, flush
drains with a generous amount of cold water to prevent azide
build-up. Consult the manual guideline “Safety Management No.
CDC-22, Decontamination of Laboratory Sink Drains to remove
Azide salts” (Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, April
30, 1976).
Bead Concentration
The concentration of beads in an assay is a factor in system speed. If running an xMAP-
based kit, follow the instruction found on the kit’s product insert or use the provided
software protocol. We generally recommend using 2000 to 5000 beads per target,
depending on the assay.
Repetitive xMAP Bead Measurements
In an xMAP assay, the reporter signal is the result of the assay. Due to small bead size,
xMAP bead suspension exhibits near solution phase reaction kinetics. This means that