MAGPIX© System - How To Perform Magnetic Assay Wash Steps

Learn more about MAGPIX® System at https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/references/newsletters-and-journals/bioprobes-journal-of-cell-biology-applications/bioprobes-issues-2011/bioprobes-66-october-2011/magpix-multiplexing-system-luminex.html. The move from multiple protein assays to multiplex assays is now totally within reach! The MAGPIX® system is an affordable, compact, fluorescent-based detection system based on Luminex's proven xMAP® technology. With the MAGPIX® system every researcher can perform quantitative analysis of up to 50 proteins simultaneously using only 25μl of precious sample. The MAGPIX® system is personal, benchtop instrument with out of the box set-up with step by step guide to interactive software and all designed for use with broad and expanding menu of assay kits. For a demonstration of the MAGPIX System, click here! Novex® multiplex assays are based on Luminex xMAP technology. Those assays that employ magnetic beads, or MagPlex® Microspheres, can facilitate automation, decrease hands-on time, and increase throughput and precision. These advantages are achieved because users don't have to use a vacuum manifold for their wash steps. An easier, quicker method is using a handheld magnetic separator. We'll show you how simple this is with your Novex® multiplex assay kits. To get the best results, your Life Technologies magnetic separator should only be used with the flat bottom plates provided in the Novex® multiplex assay kits. V-shaped and round-bottomed plates are not recommended and can adversely affect your assay. To learn more about the Life Technologies Magnetic 96-Well Separator, click here. Here's how the handheld magnet works: powerful individual magnetic strips are centered in the middle of each assay plate well. That way, you can see your line of assay beads in each well and use them as a visual reference during your wash steps. Make sure you've prepared your 1X wash solution ahead of time. You'll need your pipetting reservoir, a 200µL multichannel pipette, paper towels and timer on hand. To start, add 1X magnetic beads in each well of your plate. Add 200µL of wash solution to each well that contains magnetic beads. Allow 30 seconds for the beads and wash solution to mix. Carefully place your plate on top of the handheld magnet. To optimize bead separation, let your plate stand on the magnet for 90 seconds. Once the beads have lined up in each of the wells, lift the handheld magnet and plate duo and quickly decant the solution into a waste reservoir or sink. Now, tap the duo upside down 3 times on a paper towel stack to remove any excess liquid. Avoid using bleach in the waste reservoir or sink as any splash back could compromise your bead fluorescence identification. Separate the plate from the handheld magnet and pipette 200µL of wash solution into each well and then allow the assay to sit for 30 seconds. Place the plate back on the handheld magnet and let your plate stand on the magnet for 90 seconds for the best separation. Decant the wash solution and blot on the paper towel stack. Separate the plate from the magnet. Your assay plate is now ready for the addition of the next reagent. For all subsequent washes, make sure to allow the plate to stand on the magnet for the full 90 seconds to ensure bead separation. Remember to decant all reagents before adding your wash solution. For more information, visit http://www.lifetechnologies.com/magpix