Can Infinium BeadChips that have been frozen still be used?

Infinium BeadChips that have been exposed to freezing conditions should not be used, as freezing can compromise both their physical integrity and assay performance.

The beads on the surface of the BeadChip are held within microscopic wells (pits) by relatively weak Van der Waals forces. When BeadChips are subjected to freezing temperatures and subsequent thawing, the materials of the BeadChip undergo expansion and contraction. These temperature-induced stresses can cause beads to become dislodged from the wells, resulting in bead loss and reduced data quality or assay failure.

Freezing may also damage the chemical integrity of the beads. The bead surfaces are functionalized with oligonucleotides that are essential for hybridization and signal detection. Exposure to freezing conditions can alter the bead surface or cause the oligonucleotides to shear off, leading to reduced signal intensity, poor reproducibility, and unreliable results.

BeadChips are shipped at room temperature. Upon receipt, they should be stored at 2-8°C and should not be frozen under any circumstances. For complete guidance on proper storage conditions, refer to the article The correct storage temperature for Infinium BeadChips is 2-8°C

For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #5924), contact Illumina Technical Support [e-mail].