The genesis and evolution of bead-based multiplexing

•xMAP is the most widely adopted bead-based multiplexing platform for biomarker testing.•xMAP is used in a variety of immunoassay and nucleic acid testing applications.•xMAP applications include both research use assays and in vitro diagnostic tests.•The platform is: reagents, microspheres, a detection instrument and analysis software.•xMAP is used by diverse fields that are highlighted in this article. Multiplexed analysis has the advantage of allowing for simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a single reaction vessel which reduces time, labor, and cost as compared to single-reaction-based detection methods. Microsphere-based suspension array technologies, such as the Luminex® xMAP® system, offer high-throughput detection of both protein and nucleic acid targets in multiple assay chemistries. After Luminex’s founding in 1995, it quickly became the leader in bead-based multiplexing solutions. Today, xMAP Technology is the most widely adopted bead-based multiplexing platform with over 35,000 peer-reviewed publications, an installed base of approximately 15,500 instruments, and over 70 Luminex Partners offering more than 1300 research use kits as well as custom assay solutions. Because of the open architecture of the xMAP platform it has been implemented in a variety of applications that range from transplant medicine, biomarker discovery and validation, pathogen detection, drug discovery, vaccine development, personalized medicine, neurodegeneration, and cancer research.