Ultra high content imaging using
MICS technology

The principle of cyclic staining

Miltenyi Biotec’s MICS (MACSima™ Imaging Cyclic Staining) technology enables the simultaneous analysis of hundreds of markers on a single sample. Based on fluorescence microscopy, it uses the principle of cyclic staining with different fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies to acquire microscopy data for a multitude of parameters without harming the sample. The cyclic process comprises three main steps that are conducted by the MACSima Imaging System in a fully automated manner.

The MICS technology - the principle of cyclic staining

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(01) Samples are stained with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies

(02) Epifluorescence images are acquired of the desired sample areas

(03) The fluorescence signal is erased and the process restarts automatically

The mechanisms for signal erasure

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After staining with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies (01) and image acquisition of the stained sample (02), the fluorescent signal can be erased by either of the two following mechanisms:

(03a) Photobleaching

The fluorescence signal of samples that have been stained with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies, such as our recombinant REAfinity™ Antibodies, can be erased via photobleaching.

To do this, the MACSima Imaging System will move your sample to the bleaching unit, where the area of interest is illuminated for a short time to bleach the attached fluorochromes. After photobleaching, the instrument initiates the next staining cycle in a fully automated fashion.

(03b) Fluorochrome release

Staining of samples with REAdye_lease™ (and REAlease®) fluorochrome-conjugated antibody complexes allows for signal erasure via a controlled release of fluorochromes.

For controlled fluorochrome release, the MACSima Imaging System simply adds the REAlease Release Reagent to your sample after the imaging cycle. This erasure mechanism is gentle and particularly efficient as the signal is erased from the entire sample at once.

After fluorochrome release, the instrument initiates the next staining cycle in a fully automated fashion. For maximum flexibility, both erasure mechanisms can be freely combined during one experiment.