Spatial biology is transforming the way we understand biological systems. By integrating spatial information into research, it provides a holistic view of how cells and molecules interact within their native environment. This approach sheds light on the complex interplay between cellular and molecular components, offering deeper insights into the function and behaviour of living organisms.

To achieve reliable and reproducible results in spatial biology, careful antibody selection is essential. Here are some key considerations:

Secondary antibody selection begins with species. The host of your secondary must differ from both the tissue species and the host of the primary antibody. For example, when using a rabbit primary antibody on human tissue, a goat anti-rabbit secondary is preferred. This reduces background interference and ensures the signal reflects true binding rather than cross-reactivity..

Not all primary antibodies are the same. Polyclonal IgGs require anti-IgG secondaries, while monoclonal IgMs need anti-IgM secondaries. For monoclonal IgG subclasses (such as IgG1), it is best practice to use subclass-specific secondaries (anti-IgG1) for maximum accuracy. This level of matching safeguards against nonspecific binding and strengthens reproducibility.

Affinity purification ensures secondaries recognise their targets with high specificity. By removing unwanted immunoglobulins, affinity-purified antibodies deliver clearer signals and consistent results – especially when detecting low-abundance proteins. The result: less noise, less background, and greater confidence in your data.

Spatial biology thrives on multiplexing, but multiple species and fluorophores introduce complexity. Cross-adsorbed antibodies are refined to remove cross-reactive components, lowering background and minimising false positives. This makes them ideal for multi-label experiments where precision is paramount.

Signal clarity depends on the brightness and stability of your fluorophores. Rockland offers a wide range of conjugates, including DyLight™, Cy™, and FITC dyes. These high-performance labels are particularly powerful for detecting low-expression targets, ensuring that no signal is missed in complex tissue environments.

In any qPCR workflow, the quality of your cDNA is critical. Poor reverse transcription can lead to low sensitivity, biased results, and unreliable gene expression data. By following a few best practices and using a high-performance kit such as the SensiFAST™ cDNA Synthesis Kit from Meridian Bioscience (Bioline), together with Meridian’s RNA Isolation Kits, researchers in Australia and New Zealand can achieve consistent, reproducible results from sample to data.

Not all cDNA synthesis kits are created equal. Some introduce a 3′ bias, leaving long transcripts under-represented. The SensiFAST cDNA Synthesis Kit uses a combination of anchored oligo(dT) primers (which ensure the 3′ ends of mRNAs are always captured) and random hexamer primers (which prime across the whole transcript). This ensures a more accurate reflection of gene expression.

For labs trialling Bioline solutions for the first time, trial kits are available. These smaller packs let you test both the RNA Isolation Kit and the SensiFAST cDNA Synthesis Kit in your own workflows before scaling up—helping you validate results with minimal upfront cost.

As the exclusive distributor of Meridian Bioscience Bioline products in Australia and New Zealand, Millennium Science provides:

• Local stock availability for faster delivery
• Expert technical support across RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis workflows
• Competitive pricing and access to trial kits for first-time users

  From RNA isolation to first-strand synthesis, every step matters in your qPCR workflow. By combining Meridian’s RNA Isolation Kits with the SensiFAST cDNA Synthesis Kit, researchers can achieve reproducible, high-quality results, even with challenging or low-input samples.

A microarray is an assay that allows the simultaneous detection of multiple molecules – such as nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, or antibodies – within a small surface area. For example, thousands of molecules can be analysed on a standard glass slide (75 mm × 25 mm). Microarrays provide researchers and clinicians with a broad snapshot of biological processes at a given time.

One common type of microarray for protein analysis is the antibody array. Compared to traditional “single-plex” assays, such as ELISAs that analyse one protein at a time, antibody arrays are more cost-effective, require minimal sample volume, and enable multiplex protein detection. This blog explores the different antibody array formats, how they work, and considerations for choosing the right format for your research.

Step 1: Immobilise Capture Antibodies onto Substrates

Capture antibodies are immobilised on solid substrates such as glass slides, membranes, or microbeads.

• Planar surface arrays: Capture antibodies with known specificities are spotted on a slide or nitrocellulose membrane in an addressable format.
• Bead-based arrays: Capture antibodies are bound to beads of varying sizes and fluorescent properties. Each bead’s characteristics indicate the target protein.

Step 2: Block the Array

Before sample incubation, the array is blocked to prevent non-specific binding. Protein-based blockers such as BSA or non-fat milk, often with a detergent (e.g., 1% Tween-20), reduce background noise and improve data accuracy.

Step 3: Add Samples and Detection Antibodies

During incubation, capture antibodies bind their target proteins. Unbound proteins are removed via washing.

• Label-based arrays: Proteins are pre-labelled with biotin before incubation.
• Sandwich-based arrays: Biotinylated detection antibodies are added after sample incubation, creating a “sandwich” with the target protein.

Alternative approaches, such as using a biotinylated lectin to detect glycosylated proteins, can also be employed.

Step 4: Detect Proteins via Chemiluminescence or Fluorescence

A streptavidin molecule conjugated to a fluorophore or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) binds to biotin. Detection is then achieved using:

• Chemiluminescence: HRP substrate produces light, measured via CCD camera, X-ray film, or gel documentation system.
• Fluorescence: Fluorophores are detected with laser scanners for glass slides or flow cytometry for bead-based arrays.

Antibody arrays can generate:

• Qualitative data: Visual inspection of signal intensity.
• Semi-quantitative data: Fluorescent or chemiluminescent outputs with relative expression differences (fold changes).
• Quantitative data: Data compared against a standard curve to determine exact protein concentrations.

Sample volume depends on the substrate, array design, and sample dilution:

• Sample dilution: At least 2-fold to minimise “sample matrix effects” (SMEs) that can block antibody binding.
• Protein concentration: For non-serum samples, aim for ≥1 mg/mL (ideally >2 mg/mL) for stronger signal.
• Sample handling: Membrane-based arrays require more sample than glass or bead arrays but are easy to handle and have low background noise.

Label-based Arrays

• One antibody per protein (capture antibody).
• High-density arrays possible (up to 6,000 human proteins).
• Low sample volume required; semi-quantitative data.
• Best for biomarker discovery.

Sandwich-based Arrays

• Two antibodies per protein for higher specificity.
• Available on membrane, bead, and glass substrates.
• Provide semi-quantitative and quantitative data.
• Ideal for clinical trials and biomarker validation.

A Comparison of Label-based and Sandwich-based Antibody Arrays

Decision tree to help choose the appropriate antibody array for the experiment.

Antibody arrays are a powerful tool for multiplex protein detection and profiling. High-density arrays are ideal for large-scale biomarker discovery, while smaller panels can focus on specific pathways such as inflammation, angiogenesis, or growth factors. Customisable panels and full testing services are available, making these arrays accessible even for laboratories with limited resources.

Why include it in your proposal

• Measures Tm, Tagg and Tsize in a single 1-hour run by combining full-spectrum fluorescence with SLS and DLS (single instrument).
• 96-well sealed quartz plate, only 8 µL per well; ideal for large screens and long-term/isothermal studies.
• AAV/viral vector stability workflow tracks genome ejection, capsid disruption and aggregation.
• Unmatched speed: Aunty can measure size and fluorescene for a full 96-well plate of samples every minute.

Why include it

• Only system to combine UV/Vis with rotating-angle DLS (RADLS) so you get concentration, size and polydispersity from the same 2 µL sample.
• For AAV, reports total capsid, full/empty ratio, size and aggregation in one workflow. For LNPs, quantifies payload by UV/Vis (Unmix) while measuring particle metrics by RADLS.
• 96 samples/run, automation-friendly microfluidic plates; wide absorbance range (0.03-275 OD10mm).

Why include it

• 5 minutes for 96 samples (typical) and no drop-and-wipe – microfluidic plates handle sample loading and retention.
• UV/Vis plus Unmix applications to quantify targets and common impurities across a very wide linear range (no serial dilutions).
• Automation-friendly; GLP options available.

Why include it

• Combines SP-IRIS with fluorescence microscopy to measure concentration, size and protein composition at the single-particle level.
• LV assays quantify capsid and RNA-containing particles, empty capsids, aggregates, soluble p24, and EV contaminants from the same sample – minimal prep.
• Exosomes down to 35 nm, with phenotyping across up to 4 markers at once; 16 samples/run; 1-25 µL per sample.

Why include it

• Automates 96 unique formulations <6 hours with flexible TFR/FRR and optional inline dilution – walk-away runs cut time and material use.
• Uses reusable glass microfluidic “Sunnies” (40-200 nm applications) to improve reproducibility and reduce consumables.
• Designed to transfer methods directly to Sunshine for process development and continuous production. 

Why include it

• Direct method transfer from Sunscreen to scale-up: Sunshine sits downstream of Sunscreen; the same pumping technology and microfluidic Sunnies are used across the Sunny Suite, so process parameters and learnings carry forward from screening into process optimisation and production.
• Built for optimisation and continuous operation: Sunshine is described as an automated process optimisation and continuous pumping system for moving to larger volumes, helping you justify end-to-end capability within one ecosystem.
• Lower implementation risk: Using the same Sunny Suite hardware and software stack across steps reduces re-validation effort when moving from hit-finding to robust production protocols. 

Why include it

• Hands-off UF/DF you can trust: Big Tuna fully automates plate-based ultrafiltration/diafiltration to buffer-exchange, concentrate and clean up proteins, AAVs, LNPs and other biomolecules – cutting manual steps and setup time.
• High throughput, flexible formats: Run up to 96 samples (Unfilter 96) or 24 samples (Unfilter 24) in one experiment; the plates are designed for pressure-driven UF/DF, supporting efficient, parallel prep.
• Tight process control for reproducibility: Gentle mixing and positive pressure deliver uniform exchange; the system monitors volumes and auto-adjusts cycles to hit your target % exchange and concentration – then can reconcentrate if needed.
• Great for formulation and characterisation workflows: Ideal upstream of stability or particle analyses; Unchained Labs shows streamlined formulation screens and sample prep when pairing Big Tuna with other tools in the portfolio.

Selecting the best ELISA kit for your research isn’t always straightforward. With so many options available, researchers need to ensure their chosen kit delivers reliable, reproducible, and biologically relevant results. The most critical factor? Antibody validation. Poorly validated antibodies can compromise sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility – leading to wasted time and research funds.

At the core of any ELISA are the antibody pairs it’s built from. Inconsistent or poorly characterised antibodies are one of the leading causes of failed assays and irreproducible results. In fact, antibody validation has been a major focus in the scientific community since 2016, when the International Working Group on Antibody Validation proposed five “pillars” for antibody validation in research【Nature Methods†】.

Many leading suppliers now adopt rigorous validation strategies. For example:

• Cloud-Clone applies CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out cell lines to confirm antibody specificity.
• Rockland contributed to shaping global guidelines on antibody validation.

Choosing ELISAs from suppliers that embrace these validation practices gives confidence in your results.

Sensitivity is crucial for identifying native, correctly folded proteins in complex biological samples. Poor sensitivity often stems from antibodies raised against recombinant proteins or short synthetic peptides, which may lack proper folding or post-translational modifications.

Specificity ensures antibodies bind only the target antigen. Problems like cross-reactivity (binding to similar but unintended proteins) or interference (other sample substances blocking antibody binding) can cause false positives.

Reliable results require reproducibility. Reputable manufacturers perform lot-to-lot validation, comparing new antibody lots against previous batches to maintain consistent performance.

When choosing the best ELISA kit, focus on antibody validation, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. Selecting kits from suppliers committed to rigorous validation standards not only safeguards your data but also maximises research productivity.

At Millennium Science, we work with suppliers leading the way in antibody standardisation and ELISA validation. Whether you’re studying cytokines, growth factors, or disease biomarkers, we can help you find the right kit for your target.

👉 Contact us to explore validated ELISA kits for your research needs.

In this article, we share 10 essential cell culture contamination tips to help you safeguard your cultures and protect your work.

Mycoplasma contamination silently affects 15–35% of continuous cell cultures worldwide, undermining research reliability and wasting time and resources. Unlike other contaminants, mycoplasma is too small to detect under a microscope, can pass through standard filtration, and is resistant to many antibiotics. Preventing mycoplasma is critical for reproducibility and confidence in results.

Good aseptic technique is your first defence. Consistent practices – such as hand hygiene, sterilising equipment, and minimising culture exposure – help reduce contamination risk.

Routine testing is essential. Kits such as MycoStrip provide rapid and reliable detection of mycoplasma, ensuring issues are caught before they compromise experiments.

Always isolate and test new cell lines before introducing them to your main laboratory environment. This step prevents cross-contamination and protects existing cultures.

Use filtration with appropriately sized pores to eliminate potential contaminants in culture media and reagents.

Surprisingly, 80% of lab staff carry mycoplasma. Talking or sneezing over cells can spread contamination, so keep lids closed and conversations outside the hood.

Mouth pipetting can introduce mycoplasma species such as M. orale. Always use proper pipettes – your cells (and lab safety officer) will thank you.

Regular cleaning of biosafety cabinets, incubators, and other workspaces prevents contamination from building up in the lab environment.

Well-trained staff are less likely to make mistakes that lead to contamination. Invest in training for all team members handling cultures.

Preventative antibiotic cocktails, such as those from InvivoGen, provide an additional safeguard when working with primary cells or cloning, where contamination risks are high.

Always request certification from suppliers confirming that cell lines are free from mycoplasma contamination before introducing them into your workflow.

By adopting strict aseptic practices, regular mycoplasma testing, and preventive measures, you can dramatically reduce the risk of contamination. Keeping your cultures clean ensures reliable results, saves time, and prevents costly experimental setbacks.

Download this Practical Guide to Understanding Cell Culture Contamination e-book for in-depth insights and strategies.

10x Genomics is a proven leader in single cell research, expanding access to single cell with optimised protocols, end-to-end support, and easy-to-use analysis tools. 10x Genomics’ technology – backed by 10 years, over 2,200 patents, and > $1.5B in R&D investment – has empowered researchers to publish over 8,000 studies, including many high-impact applications of their tools.

10x Genomics’ complementary Visium and Xenium platforms offer an essential balance between unbiased discovery and precision insights and are leading the way in performance, flexibility, and ease-of-use. Being at the nexus of spatial biology means seeing what others may have missed: global cell-type organisation, cell–cell interactions, heterogeneous spatial niches, novel gene programs, critical ligand–receptor signalling networks, and spatial biomarkers of therapeutic response.