Multi-analyte Immuno-Magnetic Assay System (MIMAS)

GeneXpress Informatics, Ten X Technology and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSC-SA) has developed and demonstrated a Multi-ImmunoMagnetic Assay System (MIMAS) with a detection limit of 2 attograms/ml for a human IL-15 assay which is 6 orders of magnitude more sensitive than optical chemiluminescence approaches (i.e. ELISA, 11 pg/ml). The MIMAS utilizes three core technologies. The first is the use of antigen coupled ParaMagnetic Particles (PMP) as the label in a sandwich immunoassay. Second is a magnetometer composed of detection coils and high-speed digital electronics and processors to read muti-analyte 96-well plates. This approach provides a dynamic range approaching infinity. Thus high concentration samples do not need to be diluted and re-analyzed. The third component is a single-step assay in which all reagents are added into a 96-well format. In this component, the biological reagents will be lyopholyzed to increase their shelf life at ambient temperature, resulting in a fieldable assay. In Phase II, the team proposes to fabricate and test a fully functional MIMAS prototype which will include a mult-analyte 96-well immunomagnetic assay plate. The envisioned MIMAS system will be used to assay human samples (i.e. blood, saliva, sweat. tears and mucous).