Find an optimal combination

Hi to everyone,

I'm new to this forum, so please forgive me if I post at the wrong place.

I have a longstanding problem that I have not been able to solve so far. I have tried many solutions, but none worked out as expected.

The problem is the following one: we use antibodies (Abs) for our experiments. Each Ab can be purchased coupled with different fluorochromes. We then use an instrument to detect each of them (if bound to cells) with band pass filters. When we design a new experiment, the various Abs to be used are mixed together, and hence, we cannot use 2 (or more) Abs with the same fluorochromes: one filter of detection must be paired with one Ab-fluorochrome conjugate (I hope I am clear enough).

Now, since our experiments are getting more and more complicated, that we have 17 detectors, and a lot of antibody combinations possible, it is becoming a nightmare to decide which is the optimal Ab combination to use.

I thought that an Excel macro could help to choose the best combination. The users would specify which Abs they want to use and for each, would provide the macro with the list of fluorochrome conjugates at our disposal. The macro would then return the optimal combination(s). I have attached a file with an example of Ab combination.

Many thanks for any help!!

Antonino