Minimal Amount of Samples
Many genes and proteins play essential roles in cellular growth regulation and signal transduction, serving as targets or stratification markers for new therapeutics. A common challenge is obtaining a sufficient quantity of biological samples—such as cells or tissues—to examine multiple biomolecules. This is especially true for proteins, which often require large input amounts for traditional methods like LC-MS/MS, Western blot, IHC, or flow cytometry.
At Axela Biosciences, we enable the quantification and expression profiling of DNAs, RNAs, and proteins using minimal sample volumes—as few as 1–100 cells or 1 µL of plasma or serum—through our cutting-edge technologies and platforms.
Protein and mRNA expression levels, including pathway activation and post-translational modifications, can change rapidly after surgical resection or animal sacrifice—leading to results that may not reflect true biological responses in vivo. As a result, data from such samples can often be misleading when evaluating drug effects.
Leveraging our patented technologies and standardized protocols for rapid, controlled tissue processing, we collect minimal samples via minimally or non-invasive approaches from patients or live animals. This allows us to monitor the real-time efficacy of novel therapies before, during, and after administration. Our approach yields more accurate and actionable insights into gene and protein dynamics, supporting rational drug dosing strategies and efficacy evaluation.
Better Data from Fewer Animals
Coordinated application of PK/PD provides a rational, efficient, and informative approach to preclinical and clinical drug development. In clinical studies, core or fine needle aspirate biopsies (FNAB) are used routinely for PK/PD evaluation. In preclinical studies, whole tumor samples are often collected for the same studies requiring the sacrifice of animals at each time point, resulting in large numbers of animals used. By using our patented µ-biopsy sampling technique combined with sensitive assays, we are able to determine PK/PD responses, capture the transient changes of target proteins, and make it possible to perform longitudinal studies to evaluate protein changes, leading to development of drug resistance without using large numbers of animals.
Protein and Gene Level Data
Proteins, the targets of most drugs, are often studied through indirect DNA or RNA surrogates, since many proteins lack cost-effective assays for quantitation due to limit of sample size. Critical information, such as post-transcriptional regulation (including mRNA stability and posttranslational modifications), is also often missed. Common technologies require either high amount of input samples, prohibitively complex expertise and sophisticated instruments (such as LC-MS/MS), or both for direct protein biomarker discovery and screening efforts. We now offer unique, sensitive, and reliable assays for many signaling proteins and disease mediators while requiring minimal amount of sample.
Multiplex and Ultrasensitive
Our validated assays for cytokine, chemokine, tumor suppressor, oncoprotein, and other signaling molecule panels can be multiplexed up to 150-plex without losing specificity or sensitivity.
Both Qualitative and Quantitative
Our assays to test drug effects on protein expression can be both qualitative and quantitative. Unlike ELISA and FACS, our assays measure protein amount after separation based on MW/ size or pI/charge changes (such as phosphorylation). Unlike western blotting which is often inconsistent and semi-quantitative at best, we quantitate the absolute amount of a protein (as low as pM level) in minimal amount of samples.
Diverse Assays and Formats
Our diverse assays can meet clients’ various needs: large or limited volume of sample; high or low multiplex; ultra or high sensitivity; single cell, protein, mRNA, or microRNA data.
We have a panel of ready-to-use tumor and primary cell lines, bioassays, and animal models to support your drug discovery and development, from preclinical to clinical studies.