Merck, a leading science and technology company, today launched the MILLIPLEX® MAP Human High Sensitivity cytokine panel for faster and more cost-effective human cytokine assays. The new panel allows researchers to achieve four times higher throughput than traditional assays while using smaller sample sizes. The new assay is the first 384-well kit for use with the Luminex FLEXMAP 3D® platform. Researchers can now simultaneously measure multiple protein biomarkers in a single sample, collecting up to 366 data points per plate in the same time it would take to run a 96-well plate. The new kit delivers high specificity and sensitivity and requires less than 10 µm of sample. “The availability of validated 384-well kits is an important new tool for customers with limited sample volumes who require high throughput, specificity and selectivity,” said Jason Apter, Head of Research Solutions Strategic Marketing & Innovation, Life Science. “Simply put, researchers with limited sample volumes will get more results, faster.” Rush Medical College’s laboratory has been using customized designed 384- well assays on the Luminex FLEXMAP 3D® system for nearly two years. “Now that Merck is offering off-the-shelf assay kits, we expect to run even more assays in this format, which will help expedite our research,” said Jeffery Borgia, Assistant Professor, Rush Medical College.

Assays help researchers identify and quantify soluble proteins and peptides that play an important role in the immune system and its response to antigens, as well as disease states such as inflammatory disease, allergic reactions, irritable bowel disease, sepsis and cancer. The new MILLIPLEX® MAP Human High Sensitivity cytokine panels expand Merck’s existing portfolio of immunoassays for human cytokines, essential tools for academic centers, contract research organizations and biotech/pharma companies.