Question 1: There is less than a 2-fold difference in signal intensity between my positive control and lysis buffer blank. Why?
Answer 1: To accurately measure luminescence signal intensity between the positive control and buffer blank, please check the instrument settings on the luminometer (see below for suggestions). We also recommend running some &ldquo, set-up&rdquo, experiments with just the buffer blank and positive control to determine optimal settings for detecting the positive control signal 3-5 fold higher than the buffer blank. It is also important to remember to use a fresh control protein tube for each run of positive control samples. Do not store and re-use the positive control.
Machine Settings
Gain
Gain controls the sensitivity of the machine. Most luminometers do not allow manual alteration of gain and use an auto-calibration or limited calibration function. Turn off auto-settings and auto-calibration to use the machine in manual mode. It is important to contact the luminometer manufacturer or consult the user&rsquo, s manual to determine the best way to alter the machine sensitivity. If gain can be altered, one should read at low, medium and high gains to determine the reading within the linear range of the assay (positive control should be 3-5X higher than blank). Gain range varies with instrument. For example, gain in the Tecan GmbH SpectroFluor Plus ranges from 0 - 150 (where 150 is the highest).
Integration Time
This parameter can be varied on most machines. It is a good idea to set the machine at the lowest integration time (usually 10 &ndash, 100 ms). Integration times greater than 200 ms are likely to read out of the linear range of the assay and may require lowering of gain or dilution of primary and/or secondary antibodies.
Shaking
Most machines give the shaking option. The recommended setting is 5 sec shake, medium orbital speed before read. This option is not essential to the assay.
Temperature
Room temperature
Plate type
Any setting that specifies 96 well flat, white will be sufficient.
Filters
Luminescence does not require excitation or emission filters so the filter spaces should be left blank. If this is not an option, excitation can be set at any value and emission should be set between 400-500nm, with 430-445 as optimal setting.
Question 2: My arbitrary luminescence units (ALU) or relative luminescence units (RLU) are very different from what is depicted in the manual. Why?
Answer 2: This is very typical as the luminescence units will vary from luminometer to luminometer based on the machine&rsquo, s sensitivity and instrument settings. The important information to take note of is what the relationship is between buffer blank and positive control luminescence values. The positive control signal should be 3-5 fold greater than the buffer blank luminescence signal. If that is the case, then the G-LISA assay is functioning in the linear range and experimental samples can now be processed.