Automation of 1-10 Plates of a Beckman-Coulter-Immunotech Cytokine ELISA for IL-8 on the Biomek 2000 Workstation - Application to the Beckman-Coulter-Immunotech ELISA for IL-8
V. Rocchi, Ph. Denizot and J. Fieschi
Immunoanalysis Department, Research & Development
Immunotech, a Beckman Coulter Company
| Q. | How do I change the number of plates to process in the method? |
| A. | Simply change the loop number in Step L1. Remember to change the loop count to one below the number of plates to actually process. |
| Q. | How long does the method take? |
| A. | To process 10 plates on the Biomek 2000 it takes approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes. |
| Q. | Is any human intervention required during the operation of the protocols? |
| A. | No. The protocols are validated as Biomek 2000 stand-alone applications. That means that up to 10 plates can be processed with one set up. |
| Q. | Why and how was the present method created? |
| A. | The present method was created to run
the IL-8 ELISA kit from Immunotech-Beckman-Coulter on a Biomek 2000
workstation. This automation dramatically reduces the number of steps
processed by hand. The user only pours the reagent vials included
in the kit in reservoirs and reads the OD when the method is fully
completed. Each step of the method was tested to guarantee optimal washing, accurate pipetting and time scheduling. |
| Q. | Can I use the method with an ELISA from Immunotech-Beckman-Coulter but for another cytokine? |
| A. | The optimization process generated some very special tools and settings often specific to one reagent included in one kit. Since the composition of each reagent may vary from one kit to the other, a method for one kit should not be used for another Immunotech-Beckman-Coulter ELISA kit. |
| Q. | Can I use the method with an ELISA from another supplier? |
| A. | No, the compositions of the reagents,
the number of steps, the detection method are different from a supplier
to the other. The present method is highly specific to one ELISA
kit from Immunotech-Beckman-Coulter. The automation of an ELISA kit from another supplier may be possible but the present method will not run the assay correctly. The complete time and reagent consuming process should be repeated at the user site. |
| Q. | Do I need specific labware or reagents to run the method? |
| A. | No, all the reagents needed are included
in the kit box and the current labware from Beckman Coulter was used
to optimize the method. Optimal results are guaranteed only if Immunotech-Beckman-Coulter
kits and labware are used. The HRP substrate included in the kit was selected to allow reaction at daylight exposure. |
| Q. | Can I assay different cytokines in the same procedure? |
| A. | No, ELISA kits for different cytokines have different incubation time and different reagents, the current method is specific to one cytokine ELISA. |
* All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Where applicable, the PCR process is covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., and F. Hoffman-LaRoche, Ltd.
