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Cell-Based Assays and Imaging

Cell-based assays in both 2D and 3D formats across a broad range of human primary cell types
Our assays have provided data supporting a range of different therapeutic indications from diabetes to fibrosis and oncology, but our primary focus remains in anti-inflammatory and autoimmune research. Our customized approach develops fit-for-purpose assays to the specific needs of your program. In addition to assay development, our breadth of analytical platforms enables us to deliver a comprehensive range of assay endpoints, including mediator/cytokine release, changes in gene expression, ICC, and high content cellular imaging.

Cell-Based assays customized to your program

Example Cell Types Used for Assay Development


  • Blood cells: PBMCs, monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocyte-derived macrophages
  • Skin cells:  keratinocytes, fibroblasts
  • Lung cells: bronchial epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, alveolar type II cells, smooth muscle cells, tumor epithelial cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts
  • Liver cells: hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells
  • Other cell types:  pancreatic islets, synovial fibroblasts

Culture Formats


  • 2D
    • multiwell plates
    • transwells
  • 3D
    • air-liquid interface
    • matrix-based and matrix free
    • simple or co-culture

Cell-Based Assay and Endpoint Types


  • Cytokine-mediator release
  • Cell viability/proliferation
  • Apoptosis
  • Changes in gene expression
  • Enzyme activity/release
  • Barrier permeability
  • Cell migration
  • ICC
  • Multiplex immunofluorescence/high content cellular imaging
  • Automated Western blotting (Jess™)

CELL TYPE(S)ASSAY EXAMPLES

Whole blood

Inhibition of LPS stimulated TNFα and IL-6 release

Stimulation (PHA) and inhibition (CsA) of cell proliferation

PBMCs

Inhibition of OKT3 (CD3) stimulated IL-2 and IFNγ release

Inhibition of CD3:CD28 stimulated TNFα release

Monocytes & Monocyte-derived Macrophages

Inhibition of LPS stimulated TNFα release

Lymphocytes

Inhibition of OKT3 (CD3) stimulated IL-2 release

Neutrophils

Transmigration (+HUVEC)

Superoxide release

HUVECs

Inhibition of thrombin stimulated IL-8 and MCP-1 release

Hepatocytes

Inhibition of TNFα stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 release CYP induction (mRNA)

Stellates

TGF-β1-induced changes in fibrogenic gene expression and collagen deposition

Alveolar macrophages

Inhibition of LPS stimulated TNFα release

Keratinocytes

Stimulation (IL-4) and inhibition (CsA) of cell proliferation

Synovial fibroblasts (RA)

Validated assay for screening novel anti-TNFα therapeutic antibodies (biosimilars)

Case study: bioassay validation supporting EMA marketing authorization application

Details:

  • 2D assay
  • Synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis donors

Assay development included:

  • Reference standard inhibitor
  • Titration of stimulus
  • Selection of sentinel marker
  • Formulation effect

Assay validation included:

  • Linearity and range
  • Relative potency
  • Parallelism
  • Specificity
  • Precision—intra-/interassay
  • Biosimilar screen

Precision also performed a biosimilar screen comparing relative potency vs Humira.


Results

1268-IL-6-RA-syn-fibs-2

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    Standard and spectral flow cytometry, on both research-grade and CLIA-validated instruments.
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    Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF)

    Automated multiplex immunofluorescence services that enable quantitative visualization of up to 9 markers in tissue and liquid biopsies.
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Explore the Precision blog

Read our blog to gain more insights and discover work that Precision has supported.

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    has not third author: true, (SizeLimitingPyMap: {main={hs_id=159488778875, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1716454216458, hs_published_at=1736962071401, description=Pharma industry veteran and expert at biomarker-driven clinical trial design and execution. Leader of biomarker and drug development programs for pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, as well as the National Institutes of Health. Spearheaded the discovery of pharmacodynamic biomarkers and novel targets for inflammatory disease therapy., avatar=Image{width=576,height=576,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/PfM%20Website/Headshots/Headshots%20no%20background/Deb%20Phippard.webp',altText='Deb Phippard',fileId=165892372605}, linkedin=https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-phippard-103b54, team=[{id=163072475007, name='Precision for Medicine Leadership'}], hs_name=, hs_path=, lastname=Phippard, PhD, hs_initial_published_at=1716212769184, hs_created_at=1709645745106, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Deborah, job= Chief Scientific Officer, slug=deborah-phippard, email=, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, second={hs_id=159488778840, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1716132440837, hs_published_at=1736962071401, description=Maham Ansari, MS, RAC is a Senior Director, IVD Regulatory Affairs. Her focus is on companion diagnostic co-development programs, where she leverages her regulatory expertise to secure approvals in the US, Europe and beyond for companion diagnostics with a specific focus on gene therapy. She brings more than 16 years of global regulatory leadership experience in the medical device and in vitro diagnostics industry, spanning major multinationals to small start-ups, including full life cycle management across all stages of product development, execution of global regulatory strategies, and post-market surveillance.sh, avatar=Image{width=710,height=710,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/PfM%20Website/Headshots/Headshots%20no%20background/Maham_Ansari.png',altText='Maham_Ansari',fileId=167373022876}, linkedin=https://www.linkedin.com/in/maham-ansari-ms-rac-6a735739, hs_name=, hs_path=, lastname=Ansari, hs_initial_published_at=1716212769184, hs_created_at=1709645745071, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Maham, job=, slug=maham-ansari, email=, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, third={}})
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    has not third author: true, (SizeLimitingPyMap: {main={hs_id=159488778858, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1736540179119, hs_published_at=1736962071401, description=Rob Maiale is an innovative marketing leader and creative technologist who transforms complex healthcare challenges into meaningful, impactful stories. With over 15 years of experience across clinical and translational research, patient education, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics, he merges cutting-edge technology with inspired storytelling to build award-winning brand narratives. At Precision, Rob collaborates with leading experts to translate deep scientific expertise into accessible, engaging, and culturally resonant content—connecting audiences to the future of life-changing research., avatar=Image{width=400,height=400,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/Rob%20Maiale.jpg',altText='Rob Maiale',fileId=184765575245}, linkedin=https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-maiale/, hs_name=, hs_path=, lastname=Maiale, hs_initial_published_at=1729783715853, hs_created_at=1709645745089, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Rob, job=, slug=rob-maiale, email=, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, second={hs_id=181884577650, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1729782746463, hs_published_at=1736962071401, description=Niveda Ramkumar is a seasoned growth strategist with over 15 years of experience in marketing, business development, and account management at leading CROs and life science research firms. She has successfully spearheaded the launch of new services and technologies in clinical development, genomics and biomarkers, regulatory affairs, safety, and commercialization., avatar=Image{width=753,height=800,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/niveda-ramkumar.jpg',altText='niveda-ramkumar',fileId=181890014492}, lastname=Ramkumar, hs_initial_published_at=1729782775265, hs_created_by_user_id=26433386, hs_created_at=1729782662277, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Niveda, job=Director, Marketing, slug=niveda-ramkumar, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, third={}})
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