600+ validated antibody pairs for analytes galore
When commercially available multiplex kits are not optimally configured to meet a lab’s experimental needs, scientists can turn to MilliporeSigma for custom immunoassay development.
The company is a Luminex Licensed Technologies Partner, giving it access to our xMAP® Technology for multiplex assays. The Licensed Technologies Partner program includes companies ranging in size, market, and location around the world.
We chatted with Brooke Gilliam, lead scientist for MILLIPLEX® MAP custom assay development, to find out how she helps customers with their assay needs.
What do you do at MilliporeSigma?
I spend my time consulting with customers on new assay feasibility, as well as overseeing the scientific development process, which includes: developing new analytes; combining currently available analytes into custom panels; considering cross-reactivity and sample dilution for analyte compatibility; generating work plans and conducting project milestone calls with customers and our project management team; reviewing customer data and making suggestions; and keeping customers informed throughout the project. It’s gratifying to see the assays that I helped to develop working well for customers in their labs, as many of my customers come to us because they previously struggled with lot-to-lot variation, sensitivity, or assay validation issues with commercially available kits.
What are some examples of customers who may require a custom multiplex assay?
Our most popular request is for combining analytes between panels, or for validating an assay on a new sample type or species. We also do quite a bit of development work for new analytes or proprietary customer targets. With the biomarker detection field rapidly evolving, it is not always possible to have every analyte available, and this is the rationale behind our development offerings. Some customers require enhanced verification/validation depending on their assay needs or developing an assay in a new format. We do all that as well. Lastly, we do offer services to assist our customers. Examples include our Core Lab MapMate program, bead conjugations, biotinylation, iodination, and data analysis.
What types of assay validation do you offer in your custom assays?
I can’t stress enough the importance of the assay quality. At a bare minimum, we always measure analyte cross-reactivity, determine a minimum required dilution for the customer’s sample type, establish an assay range to ensure samples read in the linear portion of the curve, and supply an optimal serum matrix solution for dilution of the standards (serum/plasma samples). We also consider lot #1 to be our gold standard reference lot and match the performance of subsequent assays back to our gold standard. Beyond this, we offer a menu of validation services depending on the nature of your work or your specific validation requirements. An example could include spike-recovery in samples.
How can customers find out which analytes can be tested?
While we have more than 600 validated antibody pairs, if you’re interested in an analyte not in our current commercial portfolio, just ask. We publish new analytes in our Analyte
Quarterly brochure, but additional analytes may also be in development or available. We often include new analytes into our development pipeline based on customer demand. If you’re interested in a specific analyte, the best way to get started is to contact our custom assay team directly via our website.
What is a critical tip that all customers should know?
Every customer’s sample is different; not all serum/plasma samples are created equally. For example, I have seen proteins at off-the-chart levels in some diseased patients or mouse samples. We encourage customers to send us a subset of their samples to use when developing a custom assay to ensure we hit the range they need to measure all of their analytes. This will avoid customers running (and wasting) a kit and then having to adjust the dilution factor because their analyte is abnormally high. If that’s not possible, we will send a test kit for customers to run in-house and can modify the assay depending on the customer’s results before we send the final kitted assay. This two-way partnership is essential and is one way that we deliver the highest quality assay possible.
Are you interested in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing a multiplexed assay on a platform that is efficient, flexible, and widely-adopted? Contact Luminex Business Development at http://info.luminexcorp.com/en-us/become-a-partner.
Resources
- Read Other Blogs from Our Partners [Blog]
- Getting Started with xMAP® Technology [Video]
- Browse 1,200+ Partner Kits with xMAP® Kit Finder [Online Tool]
- xMAP® Cookbook to Design Your Own Assays [Download]
- View the latest xMAP® Insights Newsletter [Online & Download]
