Biotium, a leading provider of fluorescent reagents and kits for life science research, has launched the ViaPlex 2-Color Cell Barcoding Kit, a tool designed to dramatically streamline cell analysis workflows.
The new kit enables researchers to label and combine up to 15 distinct cell populations in a single tube, cutting reagent use and sample run time without compromising data quality. By pairing two reactive fluorescent dyes, ViaPlex allows multiplex analysis in a single reaction, a potential game-changer for laboratories seeking high-throughput solutions.
As demand for faster, more cost-effective drug discovery and immunology workflows grows, cell barcoding is emerging as a powerful solution. After labeling with the ViaPlex kit, multiple cell populations can be combined for antibody staining and later distinguished via flow cytometry. This approach improves sample-to-sample consistency while minimizing technical variability.
The kit features ViaPlex 405 Barcoding Dye for the 405 nm laser/Pacific Blue filter and ViaPlex 488 Barcoding Dye for the 488 nm laser/FITC filter. Using different concentrations, researchers can create a 15-plex barcoding matrix, with an optional 16th sample achievable through compensation.
“The ViaPlex Cell Barcoding Kit is an exciting new product that should be very useful for researchers doing drug screening or other cellular screening by flow,” says Dr. Alexis Madrid, Assistant Director of Biotium’s Bioscience department.
Unlike many barcoding methods, ViaPlex does not require fixation or permeabilization, making it suitable for live-cell assays. The covalent fluorescent dyes remain stable even if cells are later fixed for intracellular detection, and the labeling is compatible with both surface and intracellular antibody staining workflows.
Key Advantages: Combine up to 15 cell samples in a single staining reaction; Optional 16th barcode with stain-specific compensation; Reduce time and reagent usage with fewer flow samples; Improve sample-to-sample consistency; Works with surface and intracellular staining; Vompatible with live cells; fixation optional post-barcoding
With the ViaPlex kit, Biotium expands its portfolio of high-performance flow cytometry reagents, giving researchers a convenient, cost-effective solution for multiplex sample analysis and high-throughput workflows.
