Multi-IMmmunotoxicity Assay System (MIMAS)

GeneXpress Informatics, Inc. (GXI) proposes to develop a Multi-IMmunotoxicity Assay System (MIMAS) based upon the Luminex Corporation (Austin, TX) xMAP system, a flexible analyzer based on the principles of flow cytometry. The proposed MIMAS will utilize three core technologies. The first is the Luminex xMAP microspheres, a family of 100 fluorescently dyed polystyrene microspheres that act as both the identifier and the solid surface to build the immunotoxic assays. The second is a handheld flow cytometry-based instrument, which integrates key xMAP detection components such as lasers, optics, advanced fluidics and high-speed digital signal processors. The third component is a disposal cartridge containing immuno-coded beads, assay incubation chambers and a flow cell. GXI and Dr. Claudia S. Miller of the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) will also identify immunotoxic biomarkers for bead assay development. In Phase I, GXI and Dr. Miller proposes to integrate immunotoxicity assays into a field portable MIMAS system. The Phase II program will result in a bench MIMAS prototype system for use in demonstrating the integration of these technology components. The envisioned MIMAS system will be used to assay human samples (i.e. blood, saliva, sweat).