Automation of 1-3 Plates of a Beckman Coulter-Immunotech Cytokine ELISA for IL-8 on the BiomekŪ 2000 Workstation
V. Rocchi, Ph. Denizot and J. Fieschi
Immunoanalysis Department, Research & Development
Immunotech, a Beckman Coulter Company
| 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 has 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. See Other cytokine ELISA kits for a list of kits that were validated for running on the B2K. |
| Q. | Can I use the method with an ELISA from another supplier? |
| A. | No, the compositions of the reagents, the number of steps and 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. |
| 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 storage and reaction with 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. |
| Q. | How long does the method take? |
| A. | To process the three plate method takes approximately 4 hours. |
| Q. | Can I use different labware for samples? |
| A. | Yes, the format of the sample plates
can be changed between runs without reprogramming. Go to Edit Labware and overwrite the BCIOT sample item with the correct labware. Can I increase the throughput and walk-away time of the method? Yes, the addition of a Stacker Carousel and a Microplate Reader can dramatically increase both the throughput and the walk-away time. The method Full automation of 2 to 10 plates of Beckman-Coulter-Immunotech cytokine ELISA on the Biomek 2000 Workstation describes this high throughput configuration applied to the IL-8 ELISA from Immunotech-Beckman-Coulter. The integration of the reading allows the user to run overnight methods. |
* 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.
