Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Multiplexed Fluorescent Microarray for Human Salivary Protein Analysis Using Polymer Microspheres and Fiber-optic Bundles
Published on: October 10, 2013
Variance in multiplex suspension array assays: microsphere size variation impact
Brian P Hanley1, Li Xing, R Holland Cheng
1Microbiology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. bphanley@ucdavis.edu
Background:
Luminex suspension microarray assays are in widespread use. There are issues of variability of assay readings using this technology.
Methods And Results:
Size variation is demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Size variations of microspheres are shown to occur in stepwise increments. A strong correspondence between microsphere size distribution and distribution of fluorescent events from assays is shown. An estimate is made of contribution of microsphere size variation to assay variance.
Conclusion:
A probable significant cause of variance in suspended microsphere assay results is variation in microsphere diameter. This can potentially be addressed by changes in the manufacturing process. Provision to users of mean size, median size, skew, the number of standard deviations that half the size range represents (sigma multiple), and standard deviation is recommended. Establishing a higher sigma multiple for microsphere production is likely to deliver a significant improvement in precision of raw instrument readings. Further research is recommended on the molecular architecture of microsphere coatings.
