What are typical types of high-content, cell-based assays that you offer?
PhenoVista’s core capabilities focus on the development, execution, and analysis of cell-based assays through high-content imaging across numerous areas of biology/disease. We routinely design, develop, and run assays that generate diverse readouts at the cellular and subcellular levels, including, but not limited to, cytotoxicity, target identification, target validation, therapeutic efficacy, mode-of-action determination, and therapeutic delivery.
Are your assays standardized workflows, or is customization possible?
We support a broad range of projects, from our pre-validated, off-the-shelf, Ready-2-Go assays to completely customized development projects. We also offer Imaging & Analysis services, in which you ship to us your fixed cells for high-content imaging and we send you your quantitative-analysis results.
What type of markers and readouts can you accommodate in a typical study scope? Is there a limit to the total number of markers that you can assess in each study?
Theoretically we can accommodate assessment of any number of markers, provided that robust detection reagents are available that address the relevant biology and are compatible with our in-house, high-content imaging platforms. We define “palettes” of up to four compatible markers per grouping, tailored to ensure cross-compatibility in the staining workflow and to minimize potential spectral crosstalk between fluorophores. Each project may incorporate use of one or more palettes to capture all desired measurements.
What types of 3D assays do you offer? Which cell types can you integrate into these models?
We have extensive expertise in developing and working with 3D, in vitro cell models including spheroids, organoids, and 3D, bioprinted co-cultures. We can incorporate a wide array of cell types into these models. These include, but are not limited to, immortalized cells, primary cells (including immune cells), iPSCs, and/or patient-derived cells. We have used these models in diverse assays, such as CAR-T cell-mediated cancer organoid cytotoxicity, synovial-joint modeling, and gut neurosphere differentiation.
Can you execute time-resolved studies that require imaging of live cells?
Yes - we can design time-resolved studies based on two different approaches. For studies that require fully kinetic readouts, we can utilize live cells that either express fluorescently tagged marker(s) and/or are compatible with fluorescent indicator dyes that do not impact cell viability and image over time in our live cell-enabled imaging instruments. This approach is best suited to small-scale projects that do not require high-throughput data generation. If the study design incorporates analysis of markers that require fixation and/or high-throughput assessment, we can set up a multi-timepoint workflow.
Do your services require transfer of an established assay protocol, or can PhenoVista support assay development?
Protocol transfer is not required. Our bespoke assay services offer tailorable, comprehensive solutions that span initial assay development and setup, staining and imaging, and data analysis and mining. Clients can choose to collaborate with us at any point in this process. However, we also can certainly onboard customer protocols, fixed-cell plates, stained-cell plates, or previously captured images for downstream processing and analysis. We can also incorporate outbound technology transfer into project plans, should clients prefer to transition any developed assay protocol back to their organization for subsequent in-house use.
What types of cell models can you accommodate in your assay services? Do you offer analysis of tissues?
We can utilize a wide array of cell types in our assay services, including immortalized, primary, iPSCs, and patient-derived cells. While we do not offer tissue analysis, we have established expansive 3D, high-content imaging assays to characterize more complex, physiologically relevant cellular models, such as spheroids, organoids, and 3D bioprinted co-cultures that incorporate diverse cell types.
Can you accommodate non-imaging readouts (such as genomic characterization or biochemical assays) into a project plan?
Our core expertise is based in assay development and high-content imaging and analysis. If your project requires generation of complementary data sets to achieve your goal(s), we can offer parallel generation of cellular samples for external analysis as a deliverable. Where appropriate, we may suggest partnering with one of our collaborators to analyze these samples, and we can incorporate contracting these additional services into your project plan.
What therapeutic modalities can you evaluate in a high-content, cell-based assay?
Depending on the assay design, we have the flexibility to evaluate a broad spectrum of therapeutic agents, including, but not limited to, small molecules, targeted therapeutic antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, biologics (such as natural products and peptides), and therapeutic siRNAs.
