High-throughput multiplexed serology via the mass-spectrometric analysis of isotopically barcoded beads.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39939547.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41551-025-01349-0 and PMC identifier 12270904.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
In serology, each sample is typically tested individually, one antigen at a time. This is costly and time consuming. Serology techniques should ideally allow recurrent measurements in parallel in small sample volumes and be inexpensive and fast. Here we show that mass cytometry can be used to scale up multiplexed serology testing by leveraging polystyrene beads uniformly loaded with combinations of stable isotopes. We generated 18,480 unique isotopically barcoded beads to simultaneously detect, in a single tube with 924 serum samples, the levels of immunoglobulins G and M against 19 proteins from SARS-CoV-2 (a total of 36,960 tests in 400 nl of sample volume and 30 μl of reaction volume). As a rapid, high-throughput and cost-effective technique, serology by mass cytometry may contribute to the effective management of public health emergencies originating from infectious diseases.
Medical subject headings
- SARS-CoV-2
- COVID-19
- Mass Spectrometry
- High-Throughput Screening Assays
- COVID-19 Serological Testing