How to install a Network License in MasterPlex

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This procedure is for the Network license installations only.

MasterPlex Network License Manager Software Installation

  1. If you have not done so yet, download the MasterPlex Network License Manager.
  2. During this installation, please make sure you are logged on as administrator or
    have administrative privileges.
  3. Please make sure that the license server computer is connected to the local area
    network. It is required for proper function of the software.
  4. Please launch MasterPlex Network License Manager 2.0 downloaded from step1 and the InstallShield Wizard will guide you through the installation.

Start the MasterPlex Network License Manager Service

  1. On the Desktop, right-click on the My Computer icon and select Manage.
  2. Double-click Services and Applications and then Services to show the list of
    services.
  3. Right-click on MasterPlex Network License Manager and select Start.Image
  4. Make sure the service status has changed to Started.

Obtain Network License for MasterPlex Software

  1. Launch the MasterPlex Network License Manager and click on the Obtain License button. Press Unblock if the following window appears:
    Image
  2. Select MasterPlex License Manager from the pull-down menu and click Proceed
  3. Please note the Machine ID in this window as it is specific to the computer and is required when requesting for your license file.
  4. Next, please note the Validation Code that is included in the documentation or email when you purchased your software. If you made your purchase online, you will most likely receive your Validation Code via email. Otherwise, your Validation Code will be mailed to you along with the software package.
  5. Once you have your Machine ID and Validation Code squared away, please use our Product Registration Form to request for your license file.
    • License type – Select the Network radio button.
    • # of Concurrent Users – Choose the number of concurrent users based on the number of Validation Codes you have purchased. You will only have to specify 1 Validation Code because they will all be linked in our system
  6. Press the Submit button once you are done and you will receive your license file via email within 1 business day.

Install Network License for MasterPlex Software

  1. Once you receive your license file, save it to your local computer.
  2. Make sure you have Administrative Privileges before proceeding because it will be required for the successful installation of your license file. If you are unsure of the privileges to your user account, please consult with your IT group.
  3. Launch the MasterPlex License Manager.
  4. Click on the Install License button.
  5. Browse to your .lic license file and press Open.
  6. You should now be able to see the license you have just installed in the Installed Licenses table.
    ImageIf the installation is successful, you will see a message saying that the license was successfully installed. If you run into an invalid license error message, please see the following list of some common causes:

    1. Make sure that you have administrative privileges when installing the license. You may need to contact your IT department to ask for assistance with this.
    2. Make sure that the Machine ID originated from the same computer that contains the MasterPlex Network License Manager and not one of the client computers. Also, double check that the machine ID is correct. Note that the “0″ may look like an “O” but there is no letter “O” in the machine ID. Please resubmit for another license if you have reported an incorrect machine ID.
    3. Make sure you have submitted the request for the correct software version. Please resubmit for another license if you have reported an incorrect version number.

Launch Client Software

  1. When an unlicensed version of MasterPlex is initially launched, a user will see the License Information window. If the License Information window does not pop up, you can do the following:
    • For MasterPlex QT v5.x, MasterPlex ReaderFit v2.x, and MasterPlex EX v2.x, go to License->Applications and click on the splashscreen for the application of interest.
    • For MasterPlex QT v4.x, MasterPlex ReaderFit v1.x, and MasterPlex EX v1.x, go to Help/Tools->Applications and click on the splashscreen for the application of interest.Image
    • For MasterPlex CT, MasterPlex GT v2.3 and below, MasterPlex QT v3.0 and below, and MasterPlex QT EX, go to Help->License Information.
      ImageImage
  2. Select Network Client License Mode and click Auto Detect to find the MasterPlex Network License Manager automatically.
  3. If it cannot find the license server automatically, you can manually type in the server information (IP address and port number) and click the Test button.
    Image
  4. To launch the software, press OK.

If you run into any issues launching or finding the MasterPlex Network License Manager, please make sure of the following:

  • The MasterPlex Network License Manager service has been started. (Please see instructions above for Starting the MasterPlex Network License Manager Service.
  • If you are using a firewall, please make sure the following ports have been added to the exceptions list:
    • 12405 (TCP)
    • 12483 (UDP)

    If you have edited the port numbers, please make sure you use your configuration instead.

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How to export standard curve charts in MasterPlex ReaderFit and MasterPlex QT

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There are several ways of exporting standard curve charts in MasterPlex and they are all available under the “Standard Curve” or “Fit Curves” tab:

  1. If you are only interested in exporting a particular standard curve. Make sure it is the active chart and simply right-click on the chart to pull up some export options.Image

    You will then have the option to either copy the image onto a clipboard to paste into a document or presentation or export the image into many different file types such as Bitmap, PNG, HTML, PDF, or Excel.

  2. If you want to export all the standard curves in one report, then click on the Print button Image. Next, select the All radio button and press OK. Once the Preview window pops up, click the Export Document button and numerous export options will appear that include:
    • PDF
    • HTML
    • MHT
    • RTF
    • Excel
    • CSV
    • Text
    • Image

    Image

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Top 5 reasons why Luminex/Bio-Plex® users prefer MasterPlex® analysis and reporting software

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What is MasterPlex?

 MasterPlex is a flexible quality control, curve fitting, graphing and reporting software package for xMAP® quantitative data sets. The MiraiBio group of HITACHI has been offering MasterPlex software as a value-add to the Luminex xMAP and Bio-Rad Bio-Plex systems for 10 years.

 Why would I use MasterPlex?

 1.      You like to tweak your curve fitting settings: MasterPlex is great for labs that want to standardize on one curve fitting model equation (see the section on templates below) but it does really well for users that like to get their “hands dirty”. In fact, MasterPlex has a whole tab dedicated to curve fitting. A user can instantly toggle between fitting curves to the average value of replicates or treat each replicate as an individual point. Any combination of 6 different model equations and 4 optional weighting algorithms can be applied on a per analyte basis or you can choose a custom fit to apply to the entire data set. As a bonus, use the BestFit feature and let MasterPlex choose for you!

 2.      You have advanced reporting or exporting needs: MasterPlex has a very cool drag and drop report builder right in the software. Easily add or remove one of the 21 different available data types to the report. Drill down, Excel-style into your data. Export to PDF, Text, Excel, CSV or HTML. The best part is that you only have to create a custom layout once. Save it in the template manager and reuse it with 1 click!

 For even more advanced reporting needs MasterPlex has an Export Manager that supports multi-sheet Excel reports and various text and XML exporting formats that are often used to import data into a LIMS or data base.

 3.      You want to save time on your analyses: MasterPlex utilizes reusable templates to automate many steps in the analysis process including indicating QC and analysis settings and applying custom report formats. Even a novice user utilizing the template managers can move from data import to final report export in less than 10 seconds!

 4.       You want to standardize on one software package for all of your quantitative data: Most labs are generating quantitative data from multiple platforms. MasterPlex reads data from the following sources:

·         LX/Bio-Plex 100

·         LX/Bio-Plex 200

·         FlexMAP 3D

·         MAGPIX

·         Meso Scale Discovery SECTOR®

·         BioCode

·         Most plate readers

Imagine standardizing not only on one analysis software package but on one report format!

 5.       You want to simplify your training process: MasterPlex has an intuitive tabbed interface that is supported by a number of short, easy to digest videos that can walk any user through analysis. Many labs like the fact that when a new member joins the team it does not take more than 30 minutes to get them trained on MasterPlex. Rather than having to train someone on multiple pieces of analysis software, many MasterPlex labs only have to train once.

 How do I learn more?

 Download a free fully functional 14-day trial today.

 

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Important announcement that will affect your Luminex bead supply

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Please read this important announcement in order to avoid an interruption to your supply of the following products which are related to the Luminex 100/200, Bio-Plex 100/200, MAGPIX and FlexMAP 3D instrumentation:

  • MicroPlex Beads
  • Lumavidin Beads
  • SeroMAP Beads
  • xTAG Beads
  • Calibration Beads
  • Control Beads
  • Luminex 200 Calibration Kit (25 doses)
  • Luminex 200 Performance Verification Kit (25 doses)
  • Automated Maintenance Plate
  • Luminex Sheath Fluid, 1X, 20L

We regret to inform you that Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd. (HISAL) must stop accepting orders for the above mentioned products at 12:00pm PST on December 27th, 2011**. HISAL has the most competitive prices for most of the products affected and due to the long shelf life of some of the products (up to 3 years) you may want to consider purchasing extra inventory at our competitive prices before our distribution rights end.

Please be aware that the product descriptions, part numbers and prices for the affected products will change when you source them from another supplier. You can contact HISAL at info@miraibio.com to receive a matrix that correlates HISAL product descriptions, part numbers and prices to the manufacturer’s respective descriptions, numbers and prices.

We greatly value your business and will do our very best to facilitate the transition to a new supplier of the products affected by this announcement.

Thank you again for your business and loyalty. We look forward to serving you with HISAL products and services in the future.

Regards,

The MiraiBio Group of Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd.

**After December 27th, 2011 we recommend that you purchase these products directly from the manufacturer, Luminex Corporation. In order to facilitate the transition, Luminex Corporation has assigned 2 contacts, Debra Asgari and David Mendoza, to handle any inquiries, process initial orders and communicate the ordering process for ongoing orders:

Debra Asgari – dasgari@luminexcorp.com or 512-381-4386

David Mendoza – dmendoza@luminexcorp.com or 512-381-4302

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What exactly is “MFI” that is output from Luminex xMAP/Bio-Plex platforms?

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The Luminex and Bio-Plex platforms output 2 major pieces of data from an acquisition: MFI and bead count.

Let’s focus on MFI which stands for Median Fluoresence Intensity and NOT Mean Fluorescense Intensity.

Why do we use median and not mean?

Simply put, the median statistic is less sensitive to outliers where there is an inherent carryover of about 0.9% from these instruments. That is one of the reasons why Luminex recommends at least a minimum bead count of 35 to get statistically significant data but 50-100 is strongly suggested.

Here is an oversimplified example of why median is preferred over mean. Let’s say we are running a 1-plex with just 2 samples: A high control (well A1) and a low control (well A2). We have set a minimum bead count of 11. You will see in a second why I chose this odd number (no pun intended).

When we push the Acquisition button on our imaginary instrument, it begins reading well A1 with our high control and reads the following fluorescence intensities of 11 individual beads:

7833, 7609, 8335, 6900, 7354, 7234, 8120, 7777 (jackpot!), 7158, 7982, 7083

To figure out the median value, let’s place these readings in numerical order and the middle reading will be our median value.

6900, 7083, 7158, 7234, 7354, 7609, 7833, 7777 (jackpot!), 7982, 8120, 8335

Since we have an odd number of beads, the median value is simply the middle number which in this case is 7609. If this were an even count, we would have to take the average of the middle 2 readings after they are placed in order but that would just be too much work for me to do for this example. 7609 is the MFI value that this instrument would report for this particular analyte in well A1.

After the instrument reaches the minimum bead count for well A1, it moves on to well A2. (The probe actually goes back down in well A1 and spits out some of the leftover sample plus some additional sheath fluid but there is still a good chance there will be left over beads from A1.) Let’s say our imaginary instrument reports the following fluorescent intensities for A2 (our low control):

8001, 209, 7315, 199, 189, 217, 207, 186, 188, 208, 7917

Let’s place these readings in numerical order to figure out the MFI:

186, 188, 189, 199, 207, 208, 209, 217, 7315, 7917, 8001

The MFI value for the same analyte (we’re only doing a 1-plex) in well A2 is 208. Note though, that we had 3 pretty high readings (7315, 7917, 8001) that were most likely carried over from well A1. 3 out of 11 or 28% carryover is insanely high but I just wanted to illustrate this point that even though we had 28% carryover, we still have a respectable median (or MFI) value of 208 =)

If we used the mean fluorescence intensity, our value would be 2258 which is just bananas!

So in conclusion, the median statistic is preferred over the mean because the median is less sensitive to outliers or beads that are carried over from a previous well.

Thanks for tuning in!

If you have any questions or would like an explanation on other aspects of the Luminex technology feel free to comment below and we’ll try our best to address them!

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MAGPIX®: xMAP® technology is now more affordable.

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Remember when multiplex analysis first emerged?  It changed the way we analyzed data from tedious one-analyte assays to a multiple-analyte analyses in a single run.  Using platforms such as Luminex’s bead based xMAP platform we are able to analyze hundreds of analytes at a time with great sensitivity. However the cost of multiplexing platforms was prohibitive for many labs. With the release of the new lower-cost MAGPIX instrument, which uses Luminex’s MagPlex® magnetic beads, multiplexing has become affordable for many more labs.

 

I stumbled upon an interesting article this week in the Journal of Food Protection titled “Microbead-Based Immunoassay Simultaneous Detection of Shiga Toxins and Isolation of E. coli O157 in Foods”. It shows how the implementation of the xMAP technology has improved the sensitivity of current technology, specifically in detecting food-borne pathogens and toxic markers.  With improved sensitivity and specificity, the article also states that when using the xMAP technology, you can develop rapid and reliable results.

 

How can I get even more value out of the xMAP technology?

Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd. has engineered analysis software called MasterPlex QT to ultimately save you time through its ease-of-use interface while providing versatility of analysis tools and customization of reports.  MasterPlex QT allows MagPlex and/or MAGPIX users to save time by simply selecting the Best Fit curve-fitting button to create the optimum curve fit for your data. This feature automatically selects the optimal model equation and weighting algorithm with different parameters to optimize for: Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), R-Square, or lowest Standard Deviation of % Recovery.

MasterPlex QT’s optimized model equations present accurate and precise curve-fitting from one experiment to the next, offering reliable and reproducible results.

Reporting has not been this easy to do as MasterPlex QT has highly flexible graphing capabilities and a Custom Report Generator, allowing you to create a report that fits your current report templates.

 

This one-two combination of xMAP technology and the power of MasterPlex QT can help you achieve more consistent results in less time.

 

For more tips on optimizing xMAP data analysis, refer to our “Top 10 Tips Luminex/Bio-Plex Data Analysis.”

 

Reference:

Microbead-based immunoassay for simultaneous detection of Shiga toxins and isolation of Escherichia coli O157 in foods. Clotilde LM, Bernard C 4th, Hartman GL, Lau DK, Carter JM. J Food Prot. 2011 Mar; 74(3):373-9.

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