The BLINK X is an integrated technology package that allows you to develop novel BLINK Bead test assays whether for your research, laboratory assays or with an eye to future product development on a fully automated platform such as the BLINK One for Point-of-Care use or other solutions for laboratory process automation.
A four-channel fluorescence imager with integrated thermocycling module for BLINK X Mini-plate.
A small vertical shaker for efficient transfer of BLINK Beads from aqueous solutions to an oil phase, providing for a stable Bead suspension and cross-talk free target amplification.
A magnetic rack that accommodates the BLINK X Mini-plate. It facilitates simple loading of processed Bead samples onto the Mini-plate and alignment of the Beads in a self-assembled monolayer for detection.
A magnetic rack for manual processing of BLINK Beads in micro-well strips or tubes for nucleic acid extraction and purification.
BLINK Bead technology integrates sample preparation and ultraplex digital analysis. BLINK X is the product platform to explore this technology in your own lab and start developing ideas on where this approach may take you in your own research and development.
Next Generation Fully Integrated Digital Assay Design
Unlike other digital assay technology BLINK Beads integrate sample preparation with a complete analysis workflow. By using the same carrier for nucleic acid extraction/enrichment, extraction yield is improved, and total captured material is used in the analysis, providing more precise and sensitive results.
Different samples can be processed with BLINK Beads.
Nucleic acid extraction steps and loading of amplification reagents are performed on the Processing Rack.
The sample material is lysed and contacted with Beads.
An optimized binding buffer is added to the solution. Nucleic acids bind to Beads.
A wash step removes un-specifically bound materials leaving purified nucleic acid bound to the Bead.
Amplification reagents (RT/PCR enzymes, dNTPs are added to the Beads.
A suspension of Beads in oil is generated with the Shaker.
Beads are separated by oil and contain defined volume of amplification solution.
Loading of Beads on Mini-Plate is facilitated with the Loading Rack.
Beads are placed in wells and aligned in monolayer formation for thermocycling and fluorescence imaging.
Thermocycling and fluorescence imaging are performed on the Instrument.
PCR amplification and fluorescence detection are performed on the Beads with the BLINK X Instrument.
Image analysis provides for Bead decoding and PCR analysis. The quantity of each amplified target is determined for the samples processed on the Mini-Plate.
Using BLINK Beads you can apply the principles of digital assay design beyond PCR to create any class of assay.
Digital assays are based on partitioning the sample into thousands of independent reactions, a function that the BLINK Beads are optimally designed to achieve. After being loaded with targets and amplification reagents and transferred to oil, each Bead forms an isolated reaction compartment for performing independent enzymatic reactions. This approach is typically utilised for PCR based assays; the Beads provide the technology to apply this principle to other enzymatic assays.
BLINK has accelerated digital PCR to the next generation.
BLINK Beads provide microfluidics-free digital PCR, enabling unprecedented performance and novel assay schemes to empower your next scientific breakthrough.
With the ability to provide a complete analysis workflow on a single reagent carrier, single molecule sensitivity, exquisite quantification and results in 15 minutes the BLINK Beads coupled with the BLINK X platform are the pathway to endless possibilities.
BLINK’s design drastically reduces time to result.
By integrating sample prep and the entire assay workflow within individual Beads workflows are completed in 15 minutes from sample to result.
All material is amplified in a minimised volume distributed across thousands of individual compartments which provide for optimal thermal control, enabling fast cycling on BLINK’s hardware.
Microfluidics-free absolute target quantitation with pre-made Bead nanoreactors. Single molecule sensitivity with wide measurement range.
Ultraplexing is highly flexible and sensitive multiplexing. It provides fully quantitative detection for each target across the entire measurement range without cross-interference from other targets in the panel.
Selective encoding of individual samples with encoded Beads, allowing for parallel processing of multiple samples in one test assay.
While our development of the BLINK Beads has revealed many of their capabilities, there is still much to be discovered.
Register your interest in the BLINK X today.
Ultra-sensitive + Multiplex = Ultraplex
The unique characteristics of the BLINK Beads translate into extraordinary assays. With BLINK Beads you can achieve ultra-sensitive assays and exquisite quantification.
When you equip the Beads with different primers and probes they can be combined to form complex digital multiplex panels by assigning the analyte specific reagents to a specific fluorescent code. Assay reactions are carried out in individual Bead compartments, eliminating competition for molecular resources and providing the ability to quantitate different concentration levels of targets in one reaction.
The performance characteristics of this technique, namely single molecule sensitivity and exquisite quantification, are ideally suited to advanced applications such as copy number variation, rare mutation detection, gene expression and miRNA analysis, GMO detection, and NGS validation and preparation.
The applications of dPCR will continue to expand as platforms evolve and improve. The BLINK X platform is the next step in this journey, offering a greatly simplified approach to assay development and implementation.
Clever does not mean complicated. The BLINK X is designed with usability at its core. We have created a technology package that is easy to setup and run.
Developers receive the BLINK X equipped with the BLINK Toolbox software package. The Toolbox is an assay design and development software platform that facilitates the development and validation of new assays on the platform. It is connected to the BLINK Hub, a cloud-based development portal managed by BLINK. The Hub provides for continuous documentation of achieved development results and gives access to template development documentation, technical test information and analysis software.
The BLINK team is there to support you all the way, providing training and support throughout your development journey.
A four-channel fluorescence imager with integrated thermocycling rack for BLINK X Mini-plate
A small vertical shaker for efficient transfer of BLINK Beads from aqueous solutions to an oil phase, providing for a stable Bead suspension and cross-talk free target amplification.
A 6-chamber plate optimized for simple BLINK Bead loading with standard laboratory pipettes and Bead self-assembly into a monolayer for thermocycling and fluorescence detection. It is designed to be used with the BLINK X Loading Rack.
A magnetic rack that accommodates the BLINK X Mini-plate. It facilitates simple loading of processed Bead samples onto the Mini-plate and alignment of the Beads in a self-assembled monolayer for detection.
A magnetic rack for manual processing of BLINK Beads in micro-well strips or tubes for nucleic acid extraction and purification.
Different kits for various applications are available. The kits contain all reagents for high yield nucleic acid extraction, target amplification and detection.
