Biomarker validation

The field of research mainly covers the development of specific assays for the biomarker validation and the processing and adaptation of assays to different platforms such as microarrays, ELISA, lateral flow systems and bead-based assays. In addition, physico-chemical parameters such as kinetic constants (KD) can be determined with label-free detection methods (e.g. Biacore, bScreen, Nanotemper) and the composition or modification of surfaces (e.g. contact angle measurements and elipsometry) can be determined. All techniques are continuously adapted to the customers needs. Applications include systems biology projects for the validation of potential biomarkers, kinetic analysis of antibodies, quantification of specific markers in serum samples and the development of point-of-need applications, e.g. for the determination of microbial contamination in environmental samples.

Range of services

Production (spotting) of customized DNA, peptide and protein microarrays

• Spotting on different materials, e.g. glass, plastic, membranes, microtiter plates, conductor paths etc.
• Benchmarking of various contact and non-contact spotters to select the optimal system (reference laboratory for liquid dispensing systems)
• Execution of customer-specific microarray experiments, evaluation and documentation
• Optimization of experiments by thermodynamic and kinetic measurements
• Adaption and transfer of assay formats
• Development and establishment of assays for ELISA and microarrays
• Colorimetric, fluorescence and electrochemical detection systems
• Serum screening to identify disease-associated antibody profiles
• Detection and validation of (potential) biomarkers in body fluids
• Epitope mapping of antibodies
• Bead-based assays (Luminex platform)
• »Design of Experiment« for Design of Experiments (DoE) methods

Methods

• ELISA
• lateral flow assay
• Label-free assays: Biacore, bScreen, Nanotemper
• Liquid handling and dispensing systems
• Various microarrays (production, assay development and evaluation)
• Various detection methods (e.g. optical, fluorescence, calorimetric)

Equipment and facilities

• Bio-Plex® 3D Suspension Array System
• Non-contact liquid handling systems like I2-400
• bScreen
• Contact angle measurements, ellipsometry
• Nanotemper
• MTP reader