Automated Magnetic Bead Washing Of Metabolic Hormone Assays

By Paul Held Ph. D, Principal Scientist, Applications Dept., BioTek Instruments, Inc.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors for coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Adults with metabolic syndrome exhibit a degree of low-grade inflammation, believed to be caused by disregulated production of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors. As a result, research in this area encompasses a myriad of different analytes including cytokines, acute phase proteins, biomarkers for diabetes, obesity related hormones and cardiovascular disease. Millipore, in response to these research needs, has developed multiplex assays that use ferrite beads as a solid substrate. These beads require a magnetic field for bead retention during the wash steps. Here we describe the use of the ELx405 Magnetic Bead Washer to automate the wash steps used with the MILLIPLEX™ MAP Metabolic Hormone Assay Panel.