A novel liquid biopsy, BioAgilytix and ATCC present the first ‘Trends in Cell-Based Assays’ forum plus Bioanalysis Zone are heading to WRIB…

Written by Georgi Makin (Future Science Group)

The week in brief:

Bioanalysis and Bioanalysis Zone are heading to Philadelphia for the 12th Workshop on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis

Researchers develop liquid biopsy to identify patients likely to respond to prostate cancer treatment

ATCC (VI, USA) and BioAgilytix (NC, USA) partner to host the first ‘Trends in Cell-Based Assays’ forum, held in Cambridge (MA, USA)


Visit us at WRIB next week and fill your boots with Great British treats!

If you follow Bioanalysis Zone or Bioanalysis on Twitter, you may already be aware of the treats we have available for you to win at WRIB in Philadelphia (USA) next week. Make sure you make the time to visit us at booth #5, spin the wheel and win something from our stash of British-themed treats! We will also be on hand to answer any enquiries about the journal and the Zone and would be delighted to meet you. Please drop either Naamah Maundrell or Sankeetha Nadarajah an email to put something in our diaries.

To find out more about our conference and event highlights for the next few months, read our round-up post here. If you would be interested in writing an event or conference report for WRIB or any other event you may be attending, please email Georgi Makin for more information.

 

 

Liquid biopsy for the identification of patients likely to respond to prostate cancer treatment

A recent study published in Nature Chemistry describes a novel approach utilizing biomarkers to identify which patients may or may not respond to standard prostate cancer therapy, prior to delivery.

Researchers from the University of Toronto (ON, Canada) utilized magnetic nanoparticles with DNA capture probes on their surface to target circulating tumour cells in blood samples, allowing the detection of cellular biomarkers associated with drug resistance.

“We can then trap the individual magnetized cells in a microfluidic device built in the lab, isolating them from all the other cells in the sample and allowing us to perform highly sensitive analysis,” Shana Kelley, from the University of Toronto explained.

Cells with higher magnetic content will also have higher mRNA expression for the biomarker associated with drug resistance.

“This means that patients with high mRNA expression should be considered for other therapies because they won’t respond to the first-line treatment,” Kelley concluded.

Sources: Labib M, Mohamadi RM, Poudineh M, Ahmed SU, Ivanov I, Huang C, Moosavi M et al. Single-cell mRNA cytometry via sequence-specific nanoparticle clustering and trapping. Nat Chem. doi: 10.1038/s41557-018-0025-8 (2018) (Epub ahead of print); www.utoronto.ca/news/finding-needle-haystack-u-t-researchers-develop-liquid-biopsy-technology-prostate-cancer

 

 

ATCC and BioAgilytix partner to host the first ‘Trends in Cell-Based Assays’ forum

The first ‘Trends in Cell-Based Assays’ forum was held this week in Cambridge (MA, USA), hosted by ATCC (VI, USA) and BioAgilytix (NC, USA), who partnered with Shire Pharmaceuticals (Dublin, Republic of Ireland), Takeda Pharmaceuticals (London, UK), Visterra (MA, USA) and the former senior advisor of Science Innovation and Policy for the FDA (MD, USA).

Aimed to benefit scientists currently working in the biopharmaceutical industry as well as non-scientists who seek a better understanding of the processes, challenges, regulatory landscape, and opportunities in the industry; topics covered included recent advances in the development of in vitro cell models, innovative technologies in antibody-drug conjugate assay development and the challenges in analytical method transfer in pharmaceuticals.

Speaking ahead of the event, Maryellen de Mars, Vice President, Standards Resource Center, ATCC Global commented: “ATCC is pleased to partner with BioAgilytix to provide scientists with a unique opportunity to hear from some of the most respected and accomplished thought leaders in the discovery, development and commercialization life cycle of cell-based assay advancements. We believe this educational forum will generate quality discussions and give participants important access to the latest industry knowledge and key trends.”

Source: www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atcc-and-bioagilytix-to-host-first-trends-in-cell-based-assays-forum-300622983.html