AlphaScreen and AlphaLISA® Technology
AlphaScreen and AlphaLISA® technologies have been innovated by PerkinElmer, who obtained exclusive rights (1999) to develop the Luminescent Oxygen Channeling Assay (LOCI) technology in research and drug discovery applications.
AlphaScreen
AlphaScreen (Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay Screen) is a versatile technology used to detect and quantify a broad range of analytes in complex biological processes. The principle of AlphaScreen technology is based on the pairing of “Donor” and “Acceptor” beads in the presence of an analyte. The paired beads are in close proximity allowing the irradiated (680nm) Donor bead to transfer approximately 60,000 oxygen singlets per second to the Acceptor bead, which then emits a highly amplified chemiluminescent signal.
AlphaScreen technology has been widely adopted for many applications including cell signaling research, drug discovery and biomarker quantification. Specifically, AlphaScreen assays have been developed to quantify enzymes, molecular (protein, peptide, small molecule) interactions, as well as DNA and RNA hybridizations. Even very large proteins and phage particles may be quantified using AlphaScreen technology.
The AlphaScreen assay is fast, sensitive and does not require multiple washing and separation steps. Therefore, AlphaScreen assays are suitable for high throughput automated fluid dispensing and detection systems. This potential for HT automation combined with the sensitivity of the AlphaScreen makes this technology ideal for optimization in the Array Tape Platform.
AlphaLISA®
AlphaLISA® extends AlphaScreen technology to allow for high throughput detection and quantification of markers in biomolecular reactions. The Acceptor bead in the AlphaLISA® technology emits a more intense and better defined spectral signal (615nm) than the AlphaScreen assays (520-620nm). This light is unaffected by particles and other substances commonly found in biological samples (plasma and serum), thereby reducing background noise and optimizing precision.
AlphaLISA® technology overcomes limitations that have restricted other immunoassays (ELISA) in HT biomarker analysis. First, the homogeneous AlphaLISA® assay does not require multiple washing steps to remove non-specifically absorbed reactants. Second, due to superior sensitivity, AlphaLISA® effectively detects low concentration analytes in small reaction volumes – saving both reagents and samples. Finally, the dynamic range of AlphaLISA® is 100-fold greater than ELISA, which simplifies the assay protocol by eliminating the need to dilute samples several times to bring them into the range of detection.
Applications for AlphaScreen and AlphaLISA
These versatile technologies are the basis for assays designed to detect and quantify a diverse range of analytes – with particular importance for studying biomolecular interactions. The evolution of the AlphaScreen technology to AlphaLISA® provides a rapid, more cost-effective, sensitive technology for detecting markers within biological samples.
Why is Array Tape a good choice for Alpha Technology?
High Throughput
Streamline Workflow: The simple Alpha technology eliminates washing, separation and dilution steps required by many standard techniques. This allows us to easily and cost-effectively customize our highly automated inline Nexar (liquid handling) and Araya (detection) instruments for various Alpha assays – with the potential to realize quantum throughput gains by eliminating robotic or manual handling of microtiter plates.
Application Flexibility
Modular Nexar and Araya Instruments: Customized liquid handling may be achieved for multiple Alpha-based assays.
Cost Effective
Miniaturized Reaction Volumes: AlphaLISA® assay volumes are easily miniaturized without loss in sensitivity or assay performance. After initial optimization, all volume additions can be reduced proportionately without re-optimization or increased reagent concentrations.
Array Tape provides miniaturized reaction wells which may be further customized in well geometry and format for specific AlphaLISA® assays and platforms. Miniaturized reaction wells in Array Tape provide a customizable, cost-effective replacement for low volume microplates - conserving both reagents and samples with significant cost savings per well.
Less Labor: The simple, homogenous Alpha technology combined with our highly automated, easy-to-use platform eliminates labor associated with standard microplate-based technology.
