Meso Scale Discovery Assay: Choosing The Right Kit Class For Biomarker Testing 

Meso Scale Discovery assays are leading bioanalytical tools for assessing multiple analytes in complex biological samples. Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) products consist of a broad range of assay kits ranging from MSD immunogenicity assays to MSD cytokine assays for cell signaling pathways. Whether a researcher is introduced to drug discovery and development or a seasoned expert, MSD is a powerful tool to assist researchers at every step of the drug discovery pathway.

From customized assay formats to fully validated assays, MSD has an ideal product for each segment of drug discovery and development. Compared to traditional ELISA assays, MSD is highly sensitive and provides a broader dynamic assay range. Besides, it can multiplex up to 10 analytes per well, saving valuable biological samples., MSD has specialized assays for rapid estimation of target biomarkers in small-volume study samples for biomarker testing..

MSD offers five classes of assays for biomarker testing. Each assay has its unique strength and benefits, and hence they are tailored to meet different research goals. As selecting a specific type depends on the intended assay use, let us understand each of these assay types for biomarker testing.

R-Plex assay kits

R-Plex assays come with matched antibody sets that can be modified for single and multiplex assays. Each assay contains a calibrator, a biotinylated capture antibody, and a Sulfo-Tag labeled detection antibody. Besides, they are tested with plasma and serum samples and equipped with MSD multi-array technology.

U-Plex assays

U-Plex assays are completely customizable platforms for a rapid and flexible MSD analysis.. They can be used as a standalone method or  customized with several multiplex combinations. This flexibility comes with more than 200 assay options.  Besides, these assays are tested with plasma, serum, and cell culture supernatants.

T-Plex assays

T-Plex assays are capable of rapid and convenient analysis of biomarkers in small-volume samples. These kits are usually grouped into five subsections. These groups include tissue culture, ultra-sensitive, whole-cell lysate, serum/plasma, and base kits. In T-Plex assays, intracellular assays are tested with cell lysates, whereas researchers examine secreted biomarkers with serum, plasma, and cell culture supernatant.

V-Plex assay kits

V-Plex assays are validated MSD assays for reliable and reproducible study results. V-Plex offers a consistent, sensitive, and broader dynamic range. These assays are available as  individual kits and pre-configured multiplex panels. Besides, V-Plex assays are validated in a wide range of study matrices, including serum, plasma, urine, CSF, and cell culture supernatants.

S-Plex assays

S-Plex MSD assays are ultra-sensitive kits that can dramatically reduce the detection capability by 10 to 1000-fold. This enhanced reduction of the lower limit of quantification makes detection in femtogram levels a routine analysis. Besides, it also saves critical reagents and study samples required for analysis. S-Plex kits are tested in serum, plasma, citrate plasma, heparin plasma, and cell culture supernatants.

Hence, , choosing the right assay type can be difficult with a wide range of assay classes available for biomarker testing. Therefore, researchers must always study the analyte of interest and understand the intended goal of an assay protocol to increase the chances of selecting an ideal MSD kit class for biomarker testing.