Device built-in

MassARRAY 4 System Introduction

System Overview

The MassARRAY 4 System is a next-generation nucleic acid mass spectrometry analysis platform developed by Agena Bioscience (USA), which perfectly integrates the high sensitivity of PCR technology, the high throughput of chip technology, and the high precision of mass spectrometry based on mature MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) technology. As a benchtop mass spectrometer, this system features low detection costs, short turnaround times, and flexible operation, making it an ideal choice for medium-to-high throughput targeted detection laboratories. Currently, this technology has been widely adopted globally in pharmacogenomics, genetic diseases, oncology and liquid biopsy, infectious diseases, and other fields.

Core Technical Features

The MassARRAY 4 System employs an innovative 505nm solid-state laser and 96/384 capillary array design supporting fully automated sample loading. Key advantages include:

• Multiplexing capability: 10-60 plex detection in a single reaction, with one chip enabling multiplex analysis of 384 samples
• High sensitivity: Genotyping accuracy >99.7%, capable of detecting low-frequency alleles or rare mutations at 0.1%
• Rapid detection: From DNA to results in just 8 hours, processing over 1,000 samples within 24 hours
• Flexible throughput: Offers both 96-well and 384-well chip formats to accommodate varying testing volumes

Detection Principle

The system utilizes a unique "PCR + Single Base Extension + MALDI-TOF MS" workflow:

1. PCR amplification of DNA sequences containing target SNPs
2. Shrimp Alkaline Phosphatase (SAP) digestion to remove unincorporated dNTPs
3. Extension primer design for each SNP locus with single base extension in ddNTPs system
4. Purified products transferred to SpectroCHIP for mass spectrometry detection

Application Fields

The MassARRAY 4 System delivers exceptional performance across multiple domains:

• Pharmacogenomics: Guidance for psychiatric drugs, cardiovascular drugs, analgesics, oncology drugs, etc.
• Oncology testing: Solid tumor mutation detection, liquid biopsy, methylation analysis
• Genetic disease screening: Newborn screening, deafness gene screening, cystic fibrosis screening, etc.
• Other applications: Infectious disease detection, forensic identification, agricultural genomics, etc.

System Advantages

The MassARRAY 4 System offers these outstanding benefits:

1. Cost-effectiveness: No fluorescent labeling required, only standard primers needed, with low detection costs
2. Sample compatibility: Requires only 5ng DNA/reaction, suitable for degraded samples like FFPE
3. High automation: Data Collection software enables unattended operation
4. Flexibility: Users can customize detection content and rapidly establish new testing panels
5. Compliance: Meets CLIA, CAP and other clinical laboratory certification requirements