EXHIBIT 5.1

                             BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                    ----------------------------------------
                    A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

                                 AmSouth Center
                        315 Deaderick Street, Suite 2700
                         Nashville, Tennessee 37238-3001
                                 (615) 742-6200

                                  May 25, 2006

Luminex Corporation
12212 Technology Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78727

      RE:   Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the Luminex
            Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and the Luminex Corporation
            2006 Management Stock Purchase Plan attached hereto as Exhibit A and
            B, respectively.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted as counsel to Luminex Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Luminex"), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating to certain shares
of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Luminex to
be issued pursuant to the above referenced plans (the "Plans").

      In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such
records, documents, certificates, and other instruments as in our judgment are
necessary or appropriate in order to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.
We have also assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness
of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this
opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the
parties thereto and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all
documents by the parties thereto.

      Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and
limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion
that the shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with the Plans have been
duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Plans, will
be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

      Our opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we
express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of any
laws except the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, applicable
provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions
interpreting these laws.

      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement, and to the use of our name under the
heading "Legal Opinions" in any prospectus constituting a part thereof. In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

      This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no
opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein.

      This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement.

                                              Sincerely,

                                              /s/ Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
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                                              Bass, Berry & Sims PLC