Biomarker Analysis

Preclinical and Clinical Biomarker Assays

• High Throughput Screening Assays

  Multiplex immunoassays have enabled screening of important biomarkers involved in disease modulation and progression. Multiplexing makes it possible to measure up to 50 biomarkers simultaneously from a small sample size, which is a crucial advantage when dealing with limited sample volume from preclinical and clinical studies. By analyzing multiple biomarkers related to pain and neurological conditions, researchers can detect changes in individual cytokines, and identify unique trends associated with early disease progression and mechanism of action. This tool helps explain the crosstalk between the nervous system and inflammatory system and highlights specific targets that require greater levels of sensitivity. Even though high throughput assays are a robust screening tool, neuroscience-specific analytes can remain undetected and high sensitivity target analysis is needed as a next step. 

  	High-Throughput Screening	Ultra-sensitive Detection
  Sensitivity	pg/mL	fg/mL
  Sample Volume	< 25 uL	5-100 uL
  Dynamic Range	3-5.5 log	3-5.5 log
  Sample Type	CSF, plasma, serum, tissue	CSF, plasma, serum, tissue
  Species	human, rodent, pig, other	human, rodent, pig, other

   

  Sample data: Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rat paw skin. IL-1β and TNF-α increase significantly, showing an inflammatory response in the tissue.

  

   

• High Sensitivity Femtogram Assays

  High sensitivity biomarker evaluation for clinical and preclinical research is a non-invasive platform that can detect those difficult to measure analytes. This method takes multiplexing further into a specific target with fewer limitations. Traditional assays depend on invasive CSF sampling and cannot detect low abundant markers in blood-based samples, which is the ideal sample type for biomarker analysis. In general, 75% of proteins are at low abundance and cannot be detected, and 25% of proteins remain undetectable at a healthy state. High precision single plex digitally quantifies low abundant proteins, and is reliable, accurate, reproducible, and highly sensitive. This platform has better precision, a large dynamic range, and requires smaller sample volume, which leads to clinical relevance and accuracy. 

  	High-Throughput Screening	Ultra-sensitive Detection
  Sensitivity	pg/mL	fg/mL
  Sample Volume	< 25 uL	5-100 uL
  Dynamic Range	3-5.5 log	3-5.5 log
  Sample Type	CSF, plasma, serum, tissue	CSF, plasma, serum, tissue
  Species	human, rodent, pig, other	human, rodent, pig, other

   

  Sample data: 

  BDNF levels in the hippocampus 28 days following STZ. Decreased levels may show the beginning of degradation in diabetic neuropathy.

  

   

• Ultra Sensitive NFL Detection

  Neurofilament light (NFL) is a protein expressed in myelinated axons that reflects the level of axonal damage in the nervous system. NFL is released into the CSF or blood following axonal damage and is an indicator of disease progression. NFL is typically elevated in neurodegenerative or neuropathic pain conditions. 

  	High-Throughput Screening	Ultra-sensitive Detection
  Sensitivity	pg/mL	fg/mL
  Sample Volume	< 25 uL	5-100 uL
  Dynamic Range	3-5.5 log	3-5.5 log
  Sample Type	CSF, plasma, serum, tissue	CSF, plasma, serum, tissue
  Species	human, rodent, pig, other	human, rodent, pig, other

   

  Sample data: NfL levels in rat CSF and blood following MCAO in rats. NfL levels were elevated in MCAO treated animals compared to control or naïve animals 24 hours following occlusion.

  

   

• ELISA

  ELISA immunoassays are plate-based assays that detect and quantify target proteins. This tool offers high sensitivity and specificity for one analyte per run, while the multiplex assay can measure several markers per run.

• Western Blot

  MD Biosciences runs Western Blot services for target protein detection. Western Blot is an accurate and quantitative assay for analyzing protein expression in cells.

• Flow Cytometry

  MD Biosciences offers immunophenotyping by flow cytometry to assess efficacy, PK/PD and mechanism of action. Flow cytometry is the recommended analytical method to identify cell populations in blood and tissues.

  Our scientists can help design relevant panels that are either pre-validated or custom validated for preclinical and clinical evaluation.