The In Vitro Services department at BTS Research provides clinical pathology services for all animal species, bioanalytical for small molecules and biologics, and cell-based functional assays to support pharmaceutical product development.
BTS Research offers its clients several in vitro assays to help determine the efficacy, mechanism of action and toxicity of their compounds. We have over 350 cancer cell lines, primary normal cells and various drug resistant cell lines, valuable tools to evaluate small drug molecules and biologics, siRNA and liposomal formulated drugs.
Detailed Research Plan
Once a business agreement is reached with the client, BTS Research will develop a detailed research plan with the scientists of the potential partner. The plan will be developed once a business agreement is reached with the client. The comprehensive research plan will describe the assay, its development, and the goals of the Lead Compound Discovery project.
Analytical Testing
BTS Research conducts a variety of tests in-house in addition to using their time tested collaborating partners for small molecules bioanalysis. Our in-house analytical services utilize expedient equipment which is recognized as an industry benchmark. The following tests are conducted in house:
- RT-PCR
- PCR
- Q-PCR
- Clinical chemistries
- Hematology
- Coagulation
- Blood gas
- ELISA
- Cytokine analysis
- FACS
- Flow Cytometry (FACS)
- Western Blot
- LC MS/MS
- HPLC
- Extracellular Flux (Seahorse)
In Vitro Functional Assays
Assay Development
Like any new project, additional work might be needed to prepare the assay(s) for expedient screening. Assay development is defined broadly, from simple technology transfer to complete de novo development depending on the client’s target and the assay’s stage of development. BTS will apply the best technologies for measuring and screening of biomolecular interactions and functions of cells to improve the efficiency of the screening process while keeping expenses to a minimum.
Services
- Angiogenesis
- Antibody production and characterization
- Apoptosis
- Calcium Flux
- Cell viability (cytotoxicity)
- Cell proliferation
- Cell cycle analysis
- Cell adhesion
- Cell migration
- Cell invasion
- Chemotaxis
- Cell shape change
- Cell culture and expansion of various primary and cancer cells
- Cell differential count of lung infiltrating cells in asthma studies by cell cytospin staining and microscopic evaluation
- Cellular uptake of FITC-labeled drug
- Custom in vitro assays
- Dendritic cell vaccine for cancer models treatment
- Drug degradation ex vivo in whole blood
- Endotoxin measurement (LAL assay)
- Ex vivo antibody production
- Hypoxic studies
- Heparin compatibility drug evaluation
- Intracellular pH change
- In Vitro hair growth
- Mast cell isolation and histamine release in vitro
- Mechanism of action, intracellular signaling pathway identification
- Oxygen/glucose deprivation: evaluation of anti-apoptotic laser treatment in rat CNS cell culture
- Receptor binding
- Soft Agar Colony Formation Assay
- Stem cell viability
- Stem cell batch release
- Primary Cell Function Assays
- Neutrophils Functions: degranulation, oxidative burst, calcium mobilization, adhesion, chemotaxis, cytokines and lipid mediators production, integrin upregulation
- Macrophage Function: Degranulation, phagocytosis, chemotaxis, calcium mobilization, integrin upregulation
- T Cell Function: proliferation, cytokine production, chemotaxis, T-B cognate interaction, MLR, calcium mobilization, phosphorylation, TH1/Th2/Th3/Treg assays, antigen T cell recall.
- B Cell function: Ig production, Ig Switching, chemotaxis, calcium mobilization, proliferation, phosphorylation
- Dendritic Cell Function: maturation, antigen presentation, cytokine production, chemotaxis, calcium mobilization, phosphorylation
- NK Cell Function: cytolytic activity, ADCC, CDC, chemotaxis, calcium mobilization, phosphorylation, cytokine production
- Endothelial Cells: tube formation, cell-cell interaction, cell-substrate interaction, chemotaxis, migration, integrin up-regulation
- Hepatocytes: proliferation, toxicity, drug metabolism
- Sebocytes: cell proliferation, sebum production
- Keratinocytes: proliferation, chemotaxis, cytokine production, phosphorylation
- Cardiac toxicity: drug induced toxicity is evaluated in vitro on 16 primary heart cell types, release of LDH is measured at 24 and 48 hr post treatment.
- Platelet activation: upregulation of markers of activation
- RBC lysis Assay
Biomarkers
- Biomarker identification and validation
- Flow cytometry (cell surface and intracellular staining)
- Western blot
- Zymogels for protease activity
- ELISA (development, validation and use of commercial kits)
- Multiplex technology for cytokines
- Pharmacodynamic studies: quantification of drug target inhibition following animal treatment
- Factor VII A measurement in dogs and mice
- HSV2 and Clamydia measurement by Q-RTPCR
- Nitrite/nitrate measurements
- Butyrylcholinesterase and Carboxylesterase-1 and -2 by Western Blot
- Beta amyloid measurement by ELISA
- Hydroxyproline measurement to evaluate anti-liver fibrosis drug
- DsDNA IgG measurements by ELISA