Luminex xMAP technology combines advanced fluidics, optics, and digital signal processing with proprietary microsphere technology to deliver multiplexed assay capabilities. The Luminex xMAP systems are comprised of 4 instrument platforms—INTELLIFLEX, Luminex 200 (LX200), FLEXMAP 3D and MAGPIX (discontinued). These instruments utilize analyzers based on the principles of fluorescent flow cytometry or quantitative fluorescent microscopy and are designed to meet the needs of any size research laboratory. The Invitrogen ProcartaPlex and QuantiGene Plex assays are compatible with all 4 Luminex instrument platforms.
Luminex instruments overview
INTELLIFLEX
Advanced Technology with a small footprint. This latest multifunctional multiplexing unit can perform up to 80 test and is ideally suited for high throughput applications (96- to 384-well). Advancements include upgraded hardware, a dual-reporter funtionality and side-eject for plates enabling ease of automation.
Luminex 200
The industry standard. The standard instrument for multiplexing able to perform up to 80 different tests in a single reaction volume. The instrument is flow cytometry-based and capable of delivering fast and cost effective results.
LX200 Calibration and Verification
Learn how to run the calibration and verification on the LX200 instrument. These procedures are essential for maintaining optimal instrument performance.
LX200 Sample Probe Height Adjustment
Learn how to adjust the probe height on your LX200 instrument. Sample probe height is critical to successful sample acquisition and calibration.
LX200 Startup and Shutdown Procedures
Learn about the correct processes of starting up and shutting down the LX200 instrument. The startup and shutdown maintenance routines are both part of the daily maintenance schedule. Performing these routines maintains a clean instrument to help ensure accurate results.
LX200 System Flush Procedure
The LX200 fluidics lines and chamber need to be kept clean by flushing the system once per week and is part of the recommended weekly maintenance schedule. Watch this video to learn about the procedure for flushing the LX200 system.
FLEXMAP 3D
Speed and throughput. This multiplexing unit can perform simultaneous measurement of up to 80 tests in a single reaction volume and is compatible for both 96-well and 384-well plates.
FLEXMAP 3D System Initialization
Learn how to run the system initialization routine for the FLEXMAP 3D. This is the first task you will run after powering on the instrument and prepares the system for use. The steps include warming the laser, checking for fluidics carryover, daily performance verification, and the weekly calibration.
FLEXMAP 3D System Overview
Learn about the FLEXMAP 3D system, Luminex’s most advanced and versatile multiplexing platform. Fast read time, compatibility with both 96- and 384-well plates, and ease of integration with front-end automation systems make the FLEXMAP 3D system the platform of choice for high throughput applications.
FLEXMAP 3D Probe Height Adjustment for 384-well Plates
Correct sample probe height is critical to successful calibration and sample acquisition. This video demonstrates the correct use of probe height adjustment tool when calibrating the probe height for a 384-well mylar or filter bottom plates on the FLEXMAP 3D system.
FLEXMAP 3D System Shutdown Procedure
In this video, you will learn how to run the shutdown routine on the FLEXMAP 3D system. The shutdown routine will clean and flush fluidics, prevent clogs and crystallization of salt in the fluidics and/or sample probe, and help ensure proper performance of the FLEXMAP 3D system.
FLEXMAP 3D Cleaning the Sample Probe
Watch this video to recognize clogged probe indicators with your FLEXMAP 3D instrument. Learn about how to remove the clogged probe, clean the probe, reinstall and recalibrate the instrument to ensure proper acquisitions.
FLEXMAP 3D Clog Removal
Learn how to perform a clog removal routine on your FLEXMAP 3D system to prevent clogs in the fluid lines and sample probe.
MAGPIX
Simple and compact. This multiplexing unit performs up to 50 different tests in a single reaction volume with a plate read time of 60 minutes and is based on CCD imaging technology.
MAGPIX Calibration and Verification
Learn how to run the calibration and verification steps on the MAGPIX instrument. These procedures are essential to maintain optimal instrument performance.
Luminex MAGPIX System
Based on Luminex's proven xMAP Technology, this video will walk you through how the MAGPIX system works. This compact and affordable system uses a fluorescent-based detection system and can measure up to 50 different analytes in a single microtiter well and reads a 96-well-plate in just 60 minutes.
Unpacking MAGPIX
Learn how to properly unpack and assemble your MAGPIX System.
Preparing MAGPIX
Learn how to properly prepare you MAGPIX instrument after unpacking. This includes removing the shipping plug, installing the sample probe, and installing the drive fluid.
Powering Up MAGPIX
Learn the proper procedure to powering up your MAGPIX Instrument.
MAGPIX Sample Probe Height Adjustment
Sample probe height is critical to successful sample acquisition and calibration. In this video, learn how to adjust the sample probe height on the Luminex MAGPIX instrument.
MAGPIX Calibration and Verification Failures
Understand common reasons for failures of MAGPIX calibration and verification and learn how to troubleshoot the failures to get your instrument up and running again.
MAGPIX Probe Sonication
Learn how to perform the weekly sample probe maintenance procedure on the Luminex MAGPIX instrument that helps ensure your instrument is in good working condition.
MAGPIX Maintaining Instrument Fluids
Learn how to maintain the drive and waste fluids on the MAGPIX instrument.
Comparison of Luminex instruments
 xMAP INTELLIFLEX DR-SE |  xMAP INTELLIFLEX |  FLEXMAP 3D |  Luminex 200 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detection technology | Flow cytometry-based Lasers, APDs, PMTs | |||
| Footprint including PC (linear bench space) | 58.4 cm x 61 cm x 76.2 cm | 58.4 cm x 61 cm x 76.2 cm | 110 cm x 62 cm x 63 cm | 115 cm x 60 cm x 50 cm |
| Weight (analyzer) | 54.5 kg (120 lbs) | 54.5 kg (120 lbs) | 77.1 kg (170 lbs) | 49 kg (113 lbs) |
| Multiplex | Up to 500 | Up to 500 | Up to 500 | Up to 100 (80 on MagPlex) |
| Sample volume | 6.3-80 uL(assay dependent) | |||
| Plate format | 96-well/384-well | 96-well/384-well | 96-well/384-well | 96-well |
| Read time | 96-well in ~20 min | 96-well in ~20 min | 96-well in ~20 min | 45 min (96-well) |
| 384-well in ~75 min | 384-well in ~75 min | 384-well in ~75 min | ||
| Sensitivity* (assay dependent) | 0.06-1 pg/ml (immunoassays) 1000 RNA copies per target/well (RNA assays) | |||
| Reporter laser | 532 nm (green) and 405 nm (violet) | 532 nm (green) | 532 nm (green) | 532 nm (green) |
| Dynamic range | ≥5.5 logs (RP1) ≥4.5 logs (RP2) | ≥5.5 logs (RP1) | ≥4.5 logs (RP1) | ≥3.5 logs (RP1) |
| Operational validation | Calibration/verification/fluidics | |||
| 21 CFR compliance | 2021 | 2021 | Yes | Yes |
| Automation | 2021 | 2021 | Integration software | Integration software |
| Analytics (software) | Thermo Fisher Connect Data Analysis Apps for Luminex assays | xPONENT Basic + Thermo Fisher Connect Data Analysis Apps for Luminex assays | ||
Luminex instrument accessories
Accessory equipment and reagents are available for use with assays run on Luminex systems, including sheath fluid, calibration kits and performance verification kits. We are committed to ensuring that you have all the necessary components you need to run successful Luminex RNA & protein quantitation assays on MAGPIX, LX200, FLEXMAP 3D or INTELLIFLEX Luminex systems.
The Hand-Held Magnetic Plate Washer (96-well) is designed for fast and simple removal of supernatant from samples bound to magnetic particles. The Hand-Held Magnetic Plate Washer (96-well) is an ideal tool for use with Invitrogen singleplex and multiplex biological assays based on the Luminex xMAP Technology. These assays make use of Luminex MagPlex or magnetic microspheres, and the MAGPIX, LX200, FLEXMAP 3D or INTELLIFLEX instruments. For 384-well assay formats, we recommend using an automated magnetic plate washer for consistent and efficient bead washing.
Find additional accessories by category:
Luminex technology
Luminex instrumentation
Luminex instrumentation is comprised of four instrument platforms—INTELLIFLEX, LX200, FLEXMAP 3D and MAGPIX. These instruments are based on either the principles of quantitative fluorescent microscopy or fluorescent flow cytometry. The multiplex quantitation capability of an assay is dependent upon instrument model, and ranges from 50 analytes with use of the MAGPIX, to 500 analytes with the INTELLIFLEX and FLEXMAP 3D. Used in combination with Invitrogen QuantiGene Plex and ProcartaPlex assays, the Luminex platform delivers fast and cost-effective gene expression and immunoassay profiling analysis in both 96- and 384-well formats. This multiplex system allows for the simultaneously measurement of up to 80 different analytes for RNA or protein from a single microplate well.
The Invitrogen QuantiGene Plex and Procarta Plex assays utilize xMAP (multi-analyte profiling) technology to perform a wide range of protein- and nucleic acid-based multiplex assays. xMAP Technology uses labeled microspheres or beads, allowing for the simultaneous capture of multiple analytes from a single reaction. The beads are individually read using a Luminex xMAP instrument.
MAGPIX
The MAGPIX system is based on the principles of fluorescence imaging utilizing Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and a CCD camera. The compact MAGPIX instrument is capable of simultaneously measuring and quantitating up to 50 analytes in a single microtiter well when used with magnetic micropsheres (beads). The MAGPIX instrument has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase but MAGPIX Calibration and Performance Verification kits as well as Drive Fluid PLUS for existing instruments will continue to be available. The Invitrogen ProcartaPlex and QuantiGene Plex assays are compatible with existing MAGPIX instruments.
LX200 and FLEXMAP 3D
The LX200 and FLEXMAP 3D reader combines two lasers, fluidics, and real-time digital signal processing to distinguish up to 80 different sets of color-coded magnetic microsphere beads, each bearing a different assay. The Luminex reader is an essential tool that performs the key functions of this multiplex technology:
Fluidics
The reader detects individual beads by flow cytometry. The fluidics system of the reader aligns the beads into single file as they enter a stream of sheath fluid and then enter a flow cell. Once the beads are in single file within the flow cell, each bead is individually interrogated for bead color (analyte) and assay signal strength (PE fluorescence intensity).
Lasers
The reader uses a 532 nm green laser ("assay" laser) is used to excite the PE dye of the assay (streptavidin-PE). The 635 nm solid state laser (red "classify" laser) is used to excite the dyes inside the beads to determine their "color" or "region" and is also used for doublet discrimination by light scatter.
Detectors
The reader has four detectors, one for each of the optical paths shown in the figure below. Detectors are used to measure the fluorescence of the assay, to make bead determination (1-100) and the last to discriminate between single and aggregate beads.
INTELLIFLEX
The Luminex xMAP INTELLIFLEX System is the newest addition to the xMAP line of instruments that combines lasers, fluidics, and real-time digital signal processing for multiplex readouts. It is available in two configurations, the INTELLIFLEX (Cat. No APX2020) and the INTELLIFLEX DR-SE (Cat. No APX2021). The key difference between these configurations is the availability of the dual reporter and side eject feature which are exclusively to the DR-SE configuration. The additional violet reporter laser and detector in the DR-SE configuration makes the INTELLIFLEX DR-SE the only Luminex xMAP instrument capable of measuring up to 2 parameters per bead region.
The Luminex xMAP INTELLIFLEX & INTELLIFLEX DR-SE feature updated fluidics, software and a reduced footprint when compared to the Luminex 200 and FLEXMAP 3D systems. With automated start up, shut down, and maintenance routines, the Luminex xMAP INTELLIFLEX systems are easy to use and maintain, providing fast read times for both 96- and 384-well plate formats. These systems are compatible with all Invitrogen ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays and Invitrogen QuantiGene Plex multiplex gene expression assays which are available in both 96- and 384-well plate formats for high throughput applications.
Hand-Held magnetic plate washer for magnetic bead assays
We have developed a proprietary Hand-Held Magnetic Plate Washer (Cat. No. EPX-55555-000, sold separately) to simplify the bead wash process.
xPONENT software
xPONENT software is a modular, flexible, software package for control of the MAGPIX, 200, and FLEXMAP 3D systems, offering:
- Intuitive graphical user interface for simplified workflow
- Automated startup, shutdown, and routine maintenance operations
- Enhanced data analysis and report generation capabilities
- 21 CFR Part 11 ready
- Automation and LIS connectivity
xPONENT software benefits:
- Modular and flexible—Designed for ease of use, xPONENT software allows novice, occasional, and advanced users set up and run assays in minimal amounts of time.
- User customization—The default graphical user interface follows a typical assay workflow, and it can be customized to meet the needs of individual laboratories.
- Powerful data analysis—Industry-standard curve fitting models for quantitative analysis, allelic ratios for genotyping, and qualitative algorithms for immunology assays in addition to data visualization tools.
- xPONENT software support
Invitrogen Luminex multiplex assays
ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays
ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays enable simultaneous detection of up to 65 protein targets from complex biological matrices.
QuantiGene plex gene expression assays
QuantiGene Plex gene expression assays enable multiplexing of up to 80 RNA targets from a single lysate sample.
Biomarker quantitation assay guide
This 72-page guide provides detailed information about different tools for protein and RNA quantitation. Download this valuable technical resource that covers technologies useful for cancer and inflammation research, immunology, neurology and more. Learn more about how antibody pairs, ELISA kits, and multiplex kits for the Invitrogen Luminex platform may help advance your research.
Resources
Access Luminex instruments and multiplex assays and a targeted collection of resources for multiplex applications:
Support
Handbooks and Guides
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
