The QuantiGene Plex Assay Kit contains the generic reagents, buffers, and plates necessary to perform the assay in 96-well plates, and must be used with a target-specific QuantiGene Plex panel (sold separately). See related sample preparation reagents and RNA controls .

The QuantiGene Plex Assay is a gene expression assay that enables multiplexed measurement of up to 80 RNA transcript targets. The assay uses target-specific probes to capture the RNA of interest, and branched DNA technology then amplifies fluorescent signals which are read with a Luminex xMAP instrument.

• Difficult sample types—works with degraded and cross-linked RNA in FFPE tissues and blood
• True multiplexing—measure up to 80 genes of interest and housekeeping genes in the same well with no cross-reactivity
• Standardized platform—uses 96 or 384-well plate formats compatible with Luminex 200, MagPix, and FlexMap3D systems
• Simple workflow—employs an ELISA-like workflow for direct hybridization of transcripts to beads and transcript labeling
• Large inventory of validated genes—select from over 15,000 genes to create pathway and disease-themed panels
• Rapid turnaround for custom panels—if we don’t have your gene(s), we can create a custom panel within two weeks

Technology
QuantiGene assays utilize branched DNA (bDNA) technology that has been used for decades in the VERSANT™ diagnostic assays for HIV-1, HCV, and HBV. First, cells are lysed or tissue samples are homogenized to release the target RNA. Second, the oligonucleotide probe set is incubated with the target RNA and Luminex xMAP bead set overnight. During this incubation, the probes cooperatively hybridize to the target and capture probes bound to each bead, capturing the target RNA. Third, signal amplification is performed via sequential hybridization of the bDNA preamplifier, amplifier, and label-probe molecules to the target. Addition of streptavidin phycoerythrin generates a luminescent signal directly proportional to the amount of target mRNA present in the sample.

Applications
QuantiGene Plex assay applications include compound screening of drug candidates, biomarker verification, siRNA knockdown efficiency, prospective and/or retrospective analysis of clinical samples, miRNA profiling, microarray validation, predictive toxicology, and detection of translocations and fusion genes.