Advanced multiplexed analysis with the FlowMetrix system.

TLDR

The FlowMetrix System is a multiplexed platform that simultaneously measures up to 64 analytes in microsphere‑based flow cytometric assays. It combines 64 distinct fluorescent microsphere sets, a benchtop flow cytometer, and PC‑based DSP hardware and Windows95 software to control the instrument and process data in real time, enabling functionalized microspheres to be mixed into multiplexed assay sets. The system has been used for qualitative and quantitative immunoassays of multiple serum proteins in capture and competitive inhibition formats, and for DNA sequence analysis by multiplexed competitive hybridization with 16 sequence‑specific probes.

Abstract

The FlowMetrix System is a multiplexed data acquisition and analysis platform for flow cytometric analysis of microsphere-based assays that performs simultaneous measurement of up to 64 different analytes. The system consists of 64 distinct sets of fluorescent microspheres and a standard benchtop flow cytometer interfaced with a personal computer containing a digital signal processing board and Windows95-based software. Individual sets of microspheres can be modified with reactive components such as antigens, antibodies, or oligonucleotides, and then mixed to form a multiplexed assay set. The digital signal-processing hardware and Windows95-based software provide complete control of the flow cytometer and perform real-time data processing, allowing multiple independent reactions to be analyzed simultaneously. The system has been used to perform qualitative and quantitative immunoassays for multiple serum proteins in both capture and competitive inhibition assay formats. The system has also been used to perform DNA sequence analysis by multiplexed competitive hybridization with 16 different sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes.