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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DNASIS SmartNote xTAG Tool and ASPE Primer Design Tool Deactivated

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Luminex Corp. has discontinued the production of the polystyrene xTAG microspheres (formerly known as FlexMAP) for the magnetic versions which have new tags associated with them. This makes the current version of the xTAG tools for SmartNote obsolete so the MiraiBio Group has deactivated the software and will no longer support the application. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

-The MiraiBio Team

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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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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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Live Free Webinar – “From Genes to Proteins: Multiplex Assays for Studying Gene Regulation and Cell Function”

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From Genes to Proteins: Multiplex Assays for Studying Gene Regulation and Cell Function

Join us for a Webinar on June 30
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/347794241
Biomarkers for studying gene regulation and cell function can be efficiently analyzed by multiplexed methods.  Dr. Jim Lazar from OriGene Technologies will provide an overview of four different but related detection technologies that can be used to analyze genetic variants, microRNA expression, transcription factor binding, and protein expression on the Luminex xMAP platform.  OriGene’s broad panel of assays and tools for discovery, analysis and validation of multiple classes of important biomarkers will allow researcher to develop more accurate descriptions of biologically complex systems.
Title:   From Genes to Proteins: Multiplex Assays for Studying Gene Regulation and Cell Function
Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer


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The MiraiBio Community has Launched

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An online social community for nearly every niche exists on the internet.  MiraiBio understands this so now, there is one for the Luminex Community, MasterPlex Community, and DNASIS Community.

In addition to the online community members, MiraiBio’s own employees will be browsing around as well joining in on all the conversations.  So whether you were just curious about something or need help troubleshooting, feel free to drop by and start a converation!

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