Custom Cell-Based Assay Service For Drug Screening, Toxicity, MoA, Immunogenicity, Or In Vitro ADME!

Discover The Limitless Potential Of Cell-Based Assays To Advance Your Drug Development

Our cell-based assays offer a more realistic understanding of how drugs, chemicals, and biological agents impact cellular functions, surpassing traditional biochemical assays.

At NorthEast BioLab, we leverage the flexibility, adaptability, and versatility of cell-based assays to accelerate drug discovery, lead optimization, target validation, and mechanism of action studies. Our scientists utilize cutting-edge technologies and platforms to measure essential parameters like cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, signaling, and metabolism.

Unlock the true potential of your drug candidates with our comprehensive cell-based screening assays. We optimize potency, selectivity, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics by analyzing their effects on cellular phenotypes, functions, and targets. Whether you require sample analysis to track cellular dynamics or subcellular distribution or assess drug-induced cell movements and invasions, we deliver actionable insights driven by our tools and expertise.

Additionally, our cell-based functional assays are ideal for evaluating the biological activity and safety of drugs and biotherapeutics. From assessing cytotoxicity to measuring receptor modulation and cytokine secretion, we employ advanced technologies such as ELISA, Meso Scale Discovery, and flow cytometry to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Trust NorthEast BioLab for comprehensive, high-quality cell-based assays that drive breakthroughs in drug development. Contact us today to learn more and discover how we can support your research and development goals.

Discover Our Comprehensive Suite of Cell-Based Assays for Drug Development and Discovery
Unlock the potential of your drug candidates through our cutting-edge cell-based assays. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer a wide variety of assays that provide crucial insights into your drugs’ pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy.

In-Vitro ADME Assay:

Predict drug candidates’ absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion ates in cell cultures. Our in-vitro ADME assays also help identify potential drug-drug interactions, metabolic stability, and clearance mechanisms. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer the following in-vitro ADME assays:
Protein Binding, Metabolism, Elimination, Chemical Stability & Solubility, Absorption/Permeability

Drug Screening Assay:

Measure the impact of your drug candidates on cellular phenotypes, functions, or targets. Our drug screening assays assist in identifying the most promising candidates for further development and optimizing their potency, selectivity, and efficacy. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer the following drug screening assays:
High-throughput screening, Cell viability assays, High-content screening, Phenotypic screening, GPCR assays, Enzyme assays, Receptor assay, Cell permeability assays, Cell health assays, Cell function assays, Cell migration assays, Cell invasion assays, Cell differentiation assays, Transporter assays, Solute carrier assays

Toxicity Assay:

Evaluate the safety and tolerability of your drug candidates on cells, tissues, or organs. These assays help evaluate drug safety and tolerability and identify potential adverse effects. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer the following toxicity assays:
Cytotoxicity assays, Genotoxicity assays, Apoptosis assays, Oxidative stress assays, Hepatotoxicity assays, Necrosis assays, Autophagy assays, Neurotoxicity assays, DNA damage assays, Inflammation assays, Immunotoxicity assays, Mitochondrial toxicity assays, Hemolysis assays, Pyrogenicity assays, Sensitization assays, Irritation assays, Carcinogenicity assays, Developmental toxicity assays, Endoplasmic reticulum stress assays, Cell membrane integrity assays, Enzyme leakage assays

Biomarker Discovery Assay:

Measure the expression or activity of your biomarkers for diagnosing, prognosing, monitoring, or understanding drug responses. Our biomarker discovery assays facilitate the reliable identification and robust validation of biomarkers. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer the following biomarker discovery assays:
Protein expression assays, Gene expression assays, Cytokine secretion assays, Neutralizing antibody assays, Antibody assays, Cell surface marker assays, Phosphorylation assays, Epigenetic assays, microRNA assays, Metabolite assays, Reactive oxygen species assays, Cell signaling molecule assays, Translocation assays, Cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays, Proteolysis assays, Angiogenesis assays

Mechanism of Action Assay:

Explore the molecular or cellular mechanisms by which drug candidates exert their effects. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer the following mechanism of action assays:
Kinase assays, Cell signaling assays, Cell death assays, Cell cycle assays, Gene silencing assays, Protein-protein interaction assays, Cell metabolism assays, Cell adhesion assays, Cell morphology assays, Protease assays, Transcription factor assays, Chromatin remodeling assays, RNA interference assays

Experience the power of our state-of-the-art cell-based assays at NorthEast BioLab. Our comprehensive suite of assays caters to every stage and purpose of drug development and discovery. Unleash the potential of your drug candidates with confidence.

NorthEast BioLab offers several Cell based assays used in different phases of drug discovery and development. From target validation to lead optimization, Cell based assays (including cell proliferation, cell viability, and cell toxicity assays) help achieve quick iterations in drug discovery and development. In addition to the identification of new drugs, effective Cell based assays are used to determine the potency, efficacy, safety, selectivity, and specificity of these drugs. Furthermore, our scientists ensure that your tailored research is conducted thoroughly, FDA-guidelines are followed attentively, the viability and toxicity of your drug compounds are assessed correctly. This attention to detail helps us deliver rapid and reliable results to our clients every time.

Cell based assays are extensively used in drug discovery and development, as this method provides feedback from experiments with living cells. These tests include various types of assays, some of which are already discussed above, such as toxicity assay, cell proliferation assay, motility assays, etc.

Cell based assays allow scientists to monitor cell behavior and achieve accurate quantitation of cellular pathways. Undoubtedly, the obtained insights from these experiments facilitate drug development across various phases such as discovery, preclinical, and clinical. Thus, Cell based assay development can be critical in quickly identifying potentially viable drug candidates while eliminating the need for multiple screening methods.

Some of the common applications of cell-based assays in drug discovery and development are as under:

• Evaluating non-toxic and toxic drug substances that can affect cell viability, proliferation, differentiation, migration, or death
• Screening pathogen recognition receptor antagonists and agonists that can modulate immune responses and inflammation
• Recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that can trigger innate immune responses and inflammation
• Detecting viral contaminations that can harm the body or interfere with the quality of biopharmaceutical products
• Identifying antiviral and antimicrobial compounds that can inhibit or kill pathogens or infected cells

Cell based assays are used in measurements of various biological markers critical to drug discovery and development. At NorthEast BioLab, we offer a wide range of cell-based assay services for various types of studies. We use state-of-the-art bioanalytical technologies and platforms, such as ELISA, Meso Scale Discovery, Luminex, qPCR, dPCR, LC–MS, and Western Blotting, to develop and validate robust and reliable cell-based assays. We also follow GLP/GCLP standards and FDA guidelines to ensure the quality and compliance of our cell-based assays.

The cell based assays are methods that use living cells to measure the biological activity or effect of a compound, such as a drug, a toxin, or a biomolecule, on a cell or a cell population. Cell-based assay measures the biological activity or effect of a compound, such as a drug, a toxin, or a biomolecule, on a cell or a cell population. Cell based assays can provide information about the mechanism of action, the efficacy, and the safety of a compound. Cell based assays can also help identify potential therapeutic targets, screen for novel compounds, or optimize the dosage, delivery, or combination of compounds. 

The different types of assays in cell culture are methods that use cultured cells to measure diverse attributes of cell biology, such as cell viability, cell proliferation, cell death, cell signaling, cell function, cell differentiation, cell morphology, or cell interaction. Examples of assays in cell culture are MTT, BrdU, TUNEL, ELISA, Transwell, Matrigel, Alizarin Red, and co-culture assays.

Cell based bioassays use living cells to measure the biological activity or potency of a biologic, such as a protein, a peptide, or an antibody, that mimics or modulates a natural biological process. Cell based bioassays can use various readouts of cell response, such as cell viability, cell proliferation, cell signaling, or cell function. Cell-based bioassays include TNF-α cytotoxicity assay, EPO cell proliferation assay, IL-receptor signaling assay, and insulin function assay.

Cell-based immunoassays use living cells to measure the binding or the effect of an antibody or an antigen on a cell surface receptor or a channel. Cell based immunoassays can use various detection methods, such as fluorescence, luminescence, or electrochemical signals. Cell-based immunoassays include FACS, ELISA, Luminex, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) assays.

Cell based assays use living cells to measure the biological activity or effect of a compound, such as a drug, a toxin, or a biomolecule. Different cell-based assays depend on cell type, assay format, detection method, and outcome of interest. Some common types of cell based assays are:

• Cell viability assays measure the number or percentage of live cells in a population after exposure to a compound. They can use various indicators of cell health, such as membrane integrity, metabolic activity, enzyme activity, or ATP content. Examples of cell viability assays are MTT, WST, LDH, and ATP assays.
• Cell proliferation assays measure cell division and growth rate or extent in response to a compound. They can use various cell proliferation markers, such as DNA synthesis, cell cycle progression, or cell number. Examples of cell proliferation assays are BrdU, EdU, CFSE, and Ki-67 assays.
• Cell death assays measure the occurrence or mode of cell death induced by a compound. They can use various indicators of cell death, such as DNA fragmentation, caspase activation, phosphatidylserine exposure, or mitochondrial membrane potential. Examples of cell death assays are TUNEL, Annexin V, JC-, and Caspase-Glo assays.
• Cell signaling assays measure a compound’s activation or inhibition of cellular signaling pathways or networks. They can use various readouts of cell signaling, such as phosphorylation, transcription, or reporter gene expression. Examples of cell signaling assays are ELISA, Western blot, FACS, and luciferase assays.
• Cell function assays measure the functional behavior or performance of a cell or a cell population in response to a compound. They can use various cell function assays, such as cytokine secretion, cell migration, cell invasion, cell adhesion, or cell differentiation. Examples of cell function assays are ELISPOT, Transwell, Matrigel, and Alizarin Red assays.

Membrane based functional assays use isolated or reconstituted cell membranes to measure the binding or activation of membrane receptors or channels by a compound, such as a ligand, an agonist, or an antagonist. They can use various detection methods, such as radioligand binding, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), or surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Examples of membrane based functional assays are I-β-endorphin binding assay, FRET-based GPCR assay, and SPR-based ion channel assay.

Cell based functional assays use intact cells to measure the active behavior or performance of a cell or a cell population in response to a compound, such as a ligand, an agonist, or an antagonist. They can use various cell function assays, such as cytokine secretion, cell migration, cell invasion, cell adhesion, or cell differentiation. Examples of cell based functional assays are ELISPOT, Transwell, Matrigel, and Alizarin Red assays.

The methods used to assay cell function depend on the type of cell function of interest and the detection method of choice. Some standard techniques used to assay cell function are:

• ELISPOT: This method uses a membrane coated with an antibody that captures a secreted cytokine or other molecule from a single cell. The captured molecule is then detected by a second antibody and a colorimetric or fluorescent substrate. This method allows the enumeration and characterization of cytokine-secreting cells.
• Transwell: This method uses a porous membrane that separates two chambers containing different media or stimuli. Cells get seeded on the upper chamber and can migrate or invade through the pores to the lower chamber in response to a compound or a gradient. The migrated or invaded cells are then quantified by staining, counting, or imaging.
• Matrigel: This method uses a gelatinous matrix derived from mouse tumor cells that mimics the extracellular matrix and supports cell growth, differentiation, and invasion. Cells are seeded on or within the matrix and exposed to a compound or a stimulus. The cell behavior or morphology is then assessed by staining, microscopy, or biochemical analysis.
• Alizarin Red: This method uses a dye that binds to calcium deposits in mineralized tissues, such as bone or cartilage. Cells get induced to differentiate into osteoblasts or chondrocytes by a compound or a stimulus and cultured in a mineralization medium. The mineralized matrix is then stained by the dye and quantified by spectrophotometry or microscopy.

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is a method that uses a solid phase coated with an antigen or an antibody to capture and detect a specific antibody or antigen in a liquid sample. ELISA can be used as a cell based assay if the solid phase is a cell or a cell membrane that expresses a receptor or a channel of interest, and the liquid sample is a solution containing an antibody or an antigen that binds or activates the receptor or the channel. Examples of cell based ELISA are GPCR ELISA, ion channel ELISA, and cytokine ELISA.

Cell proliferation assays measure the rate or extent of cell growth and division to a compound, such as a drug, a toxin, or a biomolecule. Cell proliferation assays can provide information about the stimulatory or inhibitory effect of a compound on cell proliferation. Cell proliferation assays can also help to evaluate the cell cycle status, the cell number, or the cell density of a cell population.

An example of a cell proliferation assay is the BrdU assay that measures the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a synthetic nucleoside analog, into the newly synthesized DNA of proliferating cells. The BrdU-labeled cells are then detected by an anti-BrdU antibody and a colorimetric or fluorescent substrate. The BrdU assay allows the quantification and characterization of proliferating cells.

The steps to perform a cell proliferation assay depend on the type of assay and the detection method of choice. Some common steps to perform a cell proliferation assay are:

• Seed cells in a suitable culture medium and plate format, such as a 96-well plate.
• Treat cells with a compound or a stimulus of interest, such as a drug, a toxin, or a growth factor, at different concentrations or time points.
• Add a proliferation marker or indicator, such as BrdU, EdU, CFSE, or Ki-67, to the culture medium and incubate for a suitable period, depending on the cell type and the assay format.
• Fix and stain the cells with an antibody or a substrate that recognizes or reacts with the proliferation marker or indicator, generating a colorimetric or fluorescent signal.
• Measure the signal intensity or the signal-to-noise ratio using a suitable instrument, such as a spectrophotometer, a fluorometer, or a flow cytometer, and calculate the percentage or the number of proliferating cells.
• Analyze the data, plot the dose-response or the time-course curves, and determine the IC0 or the EC0 values, which indicate the concentration or the time point that causes 0% inhibition or stimulation of cell proliferation, respectively.

An assay for cell viability is a method that measures the number or percentage of live, healthy cells in a sample. Cell viability assays determine the overall health of cells, optimize culture or experimental conditions, and measure cell survival following treatment, such as a drug screen.

A cell viability fluorescence assay is a method that uses fluorescent dyes or substrates to detect live or dead cells based on their membrane integrity, enzyme activity, or metabolic activity. Cell viability fluorescence assays can be performed using microscopy, flow cytometry, or microplate readers. Examples of cell viability fluorescence assays are SYTOX, MTT, WST, and ATP assays.

Cell based screening assays use living cells to test many compounds for their potential biological activity or effect on a cell or a cell population. Cell based screening assays can measure various aspects of cell biology, such as cell viability, cell proliferation, cell death, cell signaling, cell function, cell differentiation, cell morphology, or cell interaction. Cell based screening assays differ from other screening methods, such as biochemical or biophysical assays, in that they provide a more relevant and realistic model of the cellular response to a compound in a physiological context.

Cell viability assays contribute to our understanding of cell health, proliferation, and treatment response by providing a readout of cells’ physical and physiological state to extracellular stimuli, chemical agents, or treatments. Cell viability assays can help to understand the mechanisms of action, the efficacy, and the safety of a compound. Cell viability assays can also help identify potential therapeutic targets, screen for novel compounds, or optimize a compound’s dosage, delivery, or combination.