Detection of infectious agents by xMAP® multiplexed suspension array technology

The Luminex xMAP (TM) system couples bioassays with advanced digital signal processing and proprietary identification techniques to perform multi-analyte testing of up to 100 features in real time. The general configuration of an xMAP assay can be described as a suspension array where specific capture moieties are covalently coupled to the surfaces of internally dyed microspheres. Fluorescent dyes contained within the microspheres provide unique spectral characteristics allowing each microsphere set to be distinguished from all others in the multiplex. The target is labeled for fluorescent detection. Here we describe examples of rapid, multiplexed protein and nucleic acid analyses for infectious and biothreat agents that demonstrate the utility of the platform. Benefits of the system include speed, economy, flexibility, and advanced capabilities. The potential for simultaneous detection of tens, hundreds, and even thousands of protein and nucleic acid targets provides for simultaneous, rapid, sensitive, and specific molecular analyses.