Immune checkpoint molecules play an important role in T cell functionality after TCR/MHC signalling. Blockade of two B7/CD28 family checkpoint molecules, CTLA-4 and PD-1, have already demonstrated excellent efficacy in increasing T cell responses to a variety of tumours. Identification of novel target and new checkpoint blockade remains a key element in Drug Discovery (See “Drug discovery: Immunotherapy checkpoint research for new Cancer treatments“). In this post, let’s take a look at the “Quantibody® Human Immune Checkpoint Molecule Array 1” for the detection of 10 Human Immune Checkpoint biomarkers.
3D cell culture: discover the new VitroGel™ 3D Hydrogel system
VitroGel™ 3D (TheWell Bioscience) is an animal origin-free hydrogel system closely mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. Cells grown in this 3D hydrogel possess morphologies and cellular behaviours close to their natural state making it ideal for 3D cell culture.
Therefore, VitroGel™ 3D fits perfectly with our “cellphy” offer, providing life scientists with reagents and laboratory services mimicking the physiological environment of the Human body in vitro, for more physiologically relevant experimental data.
You can choose between two:
- VitroGel™ 3D (cat. nr TWG001): an animal origin-free hydrogel system mimicking the natural ECM, ideal option for floating cell lines.
- VitroGel™ 3D-RGD (cat. nr TWG002): RGD peptide modified hydrogel of VitroGel 3D promoting cell attachment and cell-matrix interactions for 3D-culture and 2D-coating (invasion/migration, chemiotaxis…). Best solution for adhesion cell lines. [Read more…]
New: Nipah Virus G Protein and antibodies for developing specific NiV ELISA test
Nipah Virus Infection (NiV) is an emerging infectious disease of public health importance in the South-East Asia Region (source: World Health Organization). Along with Hendra virus (HeV), NiV is part of a new genus designated Henipavirus. Fruit bats have been identified as the natural reservoirs. Nevertheless, pigs, horses, goats, sheep, cats and dogs can also be infected and transmit the virus.
Symptoms of NiV infection are similar to influenza and in some cases can lead to encephalitis. The case fatality rate is high (40-70%) and there is no specific treatment. While able to bind with cellular EphrinB2, NiV G Protein (NiV-G) exhibits the antigenic epitopes and conformation necessary for specific antigen–antibody recognition. For this reason, Meridian Life Science have recently developed new Nipah virus glycoprotein (NiV-G) products suitable for the R&D projects of NiV using ELISA tests. [Read more…]
Find high performing monoclonal antibodies for your Renin-specific ELISA tests
Released by the kidneys, Renin is an enzyme which belongs to the Renin-Angiotensin system (RAS) and is involved in blood pressure homeostasis.
In healthcare, Renin assay blood tests can be performed to find the cause of high blood pressure (hypertension). When tested alongside with Aldosterone measurements, one can obtain a complete understanding of an individual’s hormone balance.
Aldosterone Regulatory Hormone Signalling pathway. Souce Arbor Assay
In preclinical and fundamental research, a Renin ELISA test therefore becomes of interest to monitor this biomarker in various disease states particularly when analyzed together with other biomarkers like Aldosterone and Cortisol. Different disorders can then be differentiated such as Primary and Secondary Hyperaldosteronism, Cushing syndrome, and Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency)… [Read more…]
Where to find antigens and antibodies for Enterovirus-specific Assay development
Enteroviruses are common human viruses causing rather mild symptoms. However many different species and serotypes (incl. Echoviruses, Polioviruses, Coxsackieviruses A and B) can cause serious illness (like EV71 & Coxsackie A16 with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease or EV70 with acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, neurologic dysfunction and permanent polio-like paralysis).
In this brief post, you will discover recent Antigen & Antibody developments made in this field by Meridian Life Sciences.
Where to find a sensitive Hyaluronic Acid (HA) quantitative assay
Hyaluronic acid (also called HA or Hyaluronan) is a glycosaminoglycan with elevated viscosity, enabling tissues (eye, skin, joint and synovial fluid…) to resist to physical and mechanical constraints (torsion, flexion…). Over time, when HA production declines, tissues progressively lose these tensile properties, leading to wrinkles and fold, weak re-epithelisation and age-related troubles. But HA is also involved in many other chronic and cancer-related diseases. In this post, we’ll review one of the most popular HA quantification assays (ELISA test), known to be highly sensitive and robust, appreciated by researchers involved in cosmetology and drug discovery. [Read more…]
Cell signalling: How to easily detect mono- and poly-Ub target proteins
Recently, a new series of ready-to-use reagents for studying post-translation modifications (PTMs) of your proteins of interest have been released by Cytoskeleton, Inc. To illustrate the advantages of these research tools, this post is focuses on ubiquitination detection, which is known to be an important event in cell signalling.
Cell signalling: Where to find multiplex arrays for glycobiology studies
How do you detect 300 specific glycan binding proteins in one experiment? Well, in this post we’ll answer this question by introducing the new Glycan Array, developed by RayBiotech for your cell signalling studies.
How to easily screen adenosine A2AR agonists and antagonists
Recently, BPS Bioscience have released a new Adenosine A2A Receptor (A2AR / ADORA2A) Functional Recombinant Cell Line for screening A2AR agonists and antagonists. An excellent means to efficiently evaluate the Adenosine cell signaling pathway known to be deeply involved in all phases of inflammation and immune responses with potential interest in immunotherapies.
Breast Cancer – Popular validated primary antibodies for research and biomarker discovery
Use of validated antibodies is primordial for Breast Cancer research and related biomarker discovery. Here, we’ll review the main biomarkers involved in this disease and introduce the most popular validated primary antibodies used by our clients.