Multicolor reagents containing compensation controls
The present invention provides multicolor reagent formulations containing in a single container both fluorescently labeled detection reagents and single-color compensation control reagents, wherein the compensation control reagents consist of reagent-capture particles bound to a fluorescently labeled detection reagent included in the multicolor reagent formulation. The multicolor reagent formulations of the present invention simplify manufacture and commercial distribution of multicolor reagent kits.
1. A multicolor reagent formulation comprising, prior to being added to a sample:
(a) a plurality of fluorescently labeled analyte detection reagents, wherein each of said plurality is distinctly labeled; and
(b) a plurality of single-color compensation control reagents, wherein each of said compensation control reagents consists of reagent-capture particles bound to one of said plurality of fluorescently labeled analyte detection reagents.
2. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 1 , wherein said fluorescently labeled detection reagents comprise an analyte-specific reagent conjugated to a fluorescent label.
3. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 1 , wherein said fluorescently labeled detection reagents comprise an antibody conjugated to a fluorescent label.
4. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 3 , wherein said reagent-capture particles are particles having antibody-capture reagents bound to the surface of the particles.
5. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 4 , wherein said antibody-capture reagents are antibodies specific for an epitope present on the detection reagents.
6. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 5 , wherein said single-color compensation control reagents are chemically stabilized to prevent dissociation of the reagent-capture particles bound to the fluorescently labeled detection reagent during storage.
7. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 6 , wherein said single-color compensation control reagents are chemically stabilized by exposure to condition that result in the chemical cross-linking of proteins.
8. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 1 , wherein said single-color compensation control reagents are chemically stabilized to prevent dissociation of the reagent-capture particles bound to the fluorescently labeled detection reagent during storage.
9. The multicolor reagent formulation of claim 8 , wherein said single-color compensation control reagents are chemically stabilized by exposure to condition that result in the chemical cross-linking of proteins.