Understanding the Working of the Meso Scale Discovery Platform

Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) is an enhanced technology for quantifying analytes in complex biological samples. They are increasingly used for analyzing biomarkers, signalling molecules, and cytokines. These play a crucial role in understanding biological and pathological mechanisms.

Meso Scale Discovery multiplex assays provide an easy-to-use method for identifying and measuring multiple analytes in a single assay run. MSD mesoscale has a wide range of assay formats to fulfill all bioanalytical and pharmaceutical needs.

The plethora of assay formats consists of validated assays to personalized multiplexing options. The assay includes R-Plex, U-Plex, T-Plex, V-Plex, and S-Plex formats.

MSD combines electrochemiluminescence and multi-array technology to provide Mesoscale multiplexing and sensitive detection of biological samples.

To understand the working of MSD assays, we shall now dissect and discuss each of these technologies.

Electrochemiluminescence

The bottom of multi-spot MSD plates contains high binding carbon electrodes for efficient attachment of assay reagents. MSD assays use electrochemiluminescent labels, also called Sulfo-Tags, for detecting analytes in biological samples. The electrochemiluminescence tags are conjugated with detection antibodies for ultrasensitive analyte detection.

After appropriate chemical reactions, MSD instruments apply electricity to these labels and generate light. The generated light is correspondingly related to the amount of analyte present in the sample. It is then measured to quantify the analytes.

Advantages of Electrochemiluminescence

Following are some of the benefits of using electrochemiluminescence technology:

• MSD assays are highly sensitive that can provide multiple excitation cycles
• They have a broad dynamic range to analyze samples with both low and high expression levels
• They are simple and easy to use
• They are highly flexible and can be conjugated with stable and non-radioactive molecules
• The electrical stimulation is decoupled from the generated signal, providing lower background disturbance
• And they can effectively detect analytes in a wide range of biological matrices, including serum, plasma, cell supernatant, and whole blood.

Multi-Array Technology

Multi-spot plate technology in MSD assays facilitates the analysis of multiple biological samples in a single assay run. Multi-spot plates come in 96 well and 384 well formats. They can have up to 10 spots per well. This capacity exponentially increases the analyzing power of MSD assays.

MSD platforms combine electrochemiluminescence and multi-array technology to provide highly dense biological data.

MSD Instrumentation

MSD has devices that fit all research purposes. They have two robust instruments for analysis:

• MESO SECTOR S 600- It is perfect for high throughput and highly dense analysis
• MESO QuickPlex SQ 120- It offers affordable multiplexing capabilities with exceptional performance

All MSD instruments have simple protocols, dynamic assay range and provide sensitive and rapid results. They come with an efficient DISCOVERY WORKBENCH software package, requiring no complicated fluidics, no maintenance, and no inter-read cleaning.

Whether researchers are looking for efficient and robust assays, MSD platforms are the best alternative for sample analysis.

Conclusion

Meso Scale Discovery assays have now become an indispensable part of the drug development process. The use of MSD assays in the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated its reliability during such unprecedented times.