Sartorius iQue High-Throughput Flow Cytometry for Fast Multiplex Screening

Sartorius iQue turns classic flow cytometry into a plate-based, automated, low-volume screening platform. You can read 96/384-well plates in minutes, combine cell and bead assays in one well, and move from acquisition to decisions inside Forecyt software—ideal for antibody discovery, immunology, and cell line development.

What Is High-Throughput Flow Cytometry (HTS) with iQue?

High-throughput cytometry brings multi-parameter cell and bead analysis to microplates, so you screen many samples quickly with tiny volumes and plate-level analytics. iQue routinely runs a 96-well plate in ~5 minutes (384-well in ~15–20 minutes) and aspirates as little as 1 µL per well, all while preserving flow-cytometry data quality.

Applications & Use Cases for Multiplex Screening

The iQue platform helps you answer more questions per run, cutting cycles between assay, analysis, and iteration. Below are representative workflows you can stand up fast.

• Drug & Antibody Screening: Parallel readouts for binding, function, and titer; rapid hit triage across plates.
  
• Immunophenotyping & Function: Profile T/NK subsets (e.g., CD3/CD4/CD8) and evaluate activation or killing in the same well.
  
• Cell Health & Proliferation: Viability, apoptosis, and proliferation kits optimized for no-wash protocols.
  
• Cell Line Development (CLD): Rank clones faster with multiplexed readouts that correlate productivity and viability.
  
• Cytokine / Secreted Protein Panels: Bead-based quantitation (human/mouse/rat) with 7-plex to 30-plex options.

What’s Included: iQue Instruments, Forecyt Software & Qbeads

Think of iQue as a complete HTS cytometry stack: instruments for speed, software to crush analysis bottlenecks, and validated panels to shorten setup time. Forecyt unifies setup→plate-level analytics→reporting, including automated EC50 curves and optional 21 CFR Part 11 tools; Qbeads panels cover secreted proteins and more.

Key Technologies: Plate-Based Speed, Low-Volume, Multiplex Power

Under the hood, iQue’s patented micro-volume sampling and smart fluidics make plate-based flow screening practical at scale. Here’s what that means for day-to-day work.

• Patented rapid micro-volume sampling delivers whole-plate runs in minutes.
  
• Low-volume aspiration (≈1 µL) lowers sample and reagent costs—great for precious primary cells.
  
• Multi-laser, multi-channel optics support deep phenotype + function in a single well.
  
• Automation-ready design enables continuous plate loading and easy robot integration.
  
• Integrated analytics in Forecyt accelerate hit calling with plate-level views and audit-ready records.

Featured Models & Specifications (iQue 3 / iQue 5)

To help you choose quickly, the table summarizes optics, throughput, plate formats, and verified catalog numbers. Values below are taken from Sartorius’ current instrument page.

*Same patented sampling engine across configurations; platform-level run times shown by Sartorius. Detection rate up to ~35,000 events/sec; dynamic range ≥7 decades.

Good to know: Optional software/licenses are available—Forecyt Enterprise (Cat. No. 91131) and an Automation API license (Cat. No. 90208).

Assay Panels, Reagents & Qbeads Multiplex Immunoassays

Assay setup shouldn’t slow you down. Sartorius’ iQue kits and Qbeads panels are validated for the platform (many with one-wash/no-wash protocols), cover human/mouse/rat targets, and ship with Forecyt templates to standardize analysis.

Examples (verified catalog numbers):

Human Qbeads Inflammation Panel Kit — 7 analytes; Cat. No. 97097 (1×384 wells) / 97098 (5×384 wells).

Mouse PlexScreen Kits — customizable 22- to 28-plex panels; e.g., Cat. No. 90851 (28-plex, 1×384 wells) / 90879 (28-plex, 5×384 wells).

DevScreen Sulfhydryl (SH) Coupling Kits — build your own multiplex; e.g., QSH01 kit Cat. No. 90892 (50×384).

Forecyt includes kit-specific analysis templates; optional 21 CFR Part 11 and offline/enterprise tools are available if you need compliant, multi-user environments.

Compatibility & Integration with 96/384/1536-Well & Automation

Whether you’re running a single bench plate or a multi-plate robot cell, iQue fits into standard HTS infrastructure. It supports common microplate formats, integrates with leading robotic handlers for walkaway runs, and exports data for LIMS/ELN or downstream analytics—so you keep your existing workflow.

Integration notes (selected options): Continuous plate loading; automation client/API license (Cat. No. 90208); Forecyt Enterprise server for floating clients (Cat. No. 91131).

Selection Guide: Choose the Right iQue & Panels for Your Workflow

If your priority is clarity over choice, start here. Pick by endpoints, throughput, and budget—then match panels.

• Fastest path to screens with basic phenotyping: iQue 3 BR; add BR HD if you need 1536-well support.
• Broader multiplexing & violet dyes: iQue 3 VBR (V/B/R) or VYB (V/Y/B) depending on your fluorophores.
• Maximum channels & flexibility: iQue 5 (4 lasers / 27 channels) for complex multiplex or growth room.
• Panel pairing: Start with Human Qbeads Inflammation 97097/97098 for cytokines; extend with PlexScreen mouse sets for preclinical or DevScreen SH to build bespoke analyte mixes.

FAQs

1. How fast is iQue, really? 

A full 96-well plate can run in ~5 min (384-well ~15–20 min), with plate-level analytics immediately available in Forecyt.

2. Does it work with our robot/HTS cell? 

Yes—iQue is designed for common handlers and continuous plate loading; Sartorius also offers an Automation API license.

3. Can we meet 21 CFR Part 11 requirements? 

Yes—Forecyt provides optional tools/licenses for audit trails and role control; Enterprise/Offline editions are available.

Get Pricing & Expert Help

Tell us your plate format, desired endpoints (phenotype, function, secreted proteins), and weekly throughput. Contact Iright now and we’ll configure the right iQue model, map Qbeads panels to your assay, and provide pricing and lead times—so you can start screening sooner.