The AtheNA Multi-Lyte® Test System is a breakthrough in multiple-analyte testing. It is a multiplexed system utilizing the patented Luminex® xMAP® technology. Polystyrene microspheres of uniform size are used as the solid phase.

Each bead set is treated with a unique combination of two fluorescent dyes and conjugated to a different antigen, making it possible for the system to identify unique bead sets.

Thousands of each bead set are combined to form a multiplex bead suspension. The bead suspension is added to the wells of a microplate.

Unique bead sets can be conjugated with various, unique target molecules of interest.

If antibody from the test sera is present, it will bind to the antigen-coated bead. Anti-human Ig reporter "tags" then bind with the antibody.

If the patient possesses antibody to more than one bead set, all beads will be labeled with antibody and then conjugate. The bead suspension is analyzed using the AtheNA instrument.

Beads flow through the flow cell and light scatter will determine discrete events.

One laser identifies the amount of reporter on the surface. The other determines the amount of classification dyes... or identifies the bead set.

This flow analysis of the beads occurs at a rate of up to 20,000 beads per second. Results are based on 50 individual bead reactions, the equivalent of running each sample 50 times in 50 separate EIA/IFA wells.

View How It Works (PowerPoint Presentation)