NanoInk has launched configured protein array kit from its Nano BioDiscovery Division. Based on the patented Dip Pen Nanolithography (DPN) platform, NanoInk's fluorescent assays enable nanoscale detection of clinically relevant proteins.
The company said that the Human Inflammation Cytokine Assay pairs the DPN-deposited protein arrays with a protocol that can be conducted on the lab bench without any instrumentation.
DPN provides a biologically friendly nanoscale method of fabricating arrays without splashing, which can lead to increased background noise, and without subjecting molecules to sheer forces which may disrupt biological function.
Bruce Dudzik, senior director of business development at NanoInk, said: “The Human Inflammation Cytokine Assay is a miniaturized immunoassay capable of evaluating multiple biomarkers in a single sub-array. This multiplex assay measures a panel of 10 cytokines like IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IFNgamma and TNFalpha, plus a positive and a negative control.
“The Human Inflammation Cytokine Assay kit includes nanoarrays of analyte-specific antibodies and controls deposited on 1″ x 3″ modified glass slides. Each slide is composed of 18 sub-arrays, with 48 features per sub-array. Twelve different features (each printed in quadruplicate) are represented within each 48-feature sub-array. Feature size is less than 5.
“The Human Inflammation Cytokine Assay kit also contains all reagents, buffers, standards, and slide holders necessary to perform the assay and a detailed, validated user guide. Result detection is accomplished offline using existing high-resolution fluorescent scanners or microscopes.
“The Human Inflammation Cytokine Assay will achieve sensitivity as low as the femtogram/ml range. Because DPN technology is capable of depositing highly reproducible, submicron protein features in each sub-array, this assay can deliver unmatched assay sensitivity even with the smallest of sample sizes.”