Skip to content
Precision for Medicine
Contact Us

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

Related services

  • Explore
    lmmunohistochemistry (IHC)
    tissue-slide

    lmmunohistochemistry (IHC)

    End-to-end IHC solutions including kitting, sample logistics, staining via all major platforms, and in-house pathology services.
    Explore
    tissue-slide

    lmmunohistochemistry (IHC)

    End-to-end IHC solutions including kitting, sample logistics, staining via all major platforms, and in-house pathology services.
    Explore
  • Explore
    cytometry

    Flow Cytometry

    Standard and spectral flow cytometry, on both research-grade and CLIA-validated instruments.
    Explore

    Flow Cytometry

    Standard and spectral flow cytometry, on both research-grade and CLIA-validated instruments.
    Explore
  • Explore
    Multiplex

    Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF)

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

    Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF)

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

Explore the Precision blog

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

Explore our blog
Read: Back to the Source: A Translational Leader on Extending the Living Legacy of Genomic Data Back to the Source: A Translational Leader on Extending the Living Legacy of Genomic Data

Translational Research - Biospecimens - Oncology

Back to the Source: A Translational Leader on Extending the Living Legacy of Genomic Data

|
    has not third author: true, (SizeLimitingPyMap: {main={hs_id=159488778886, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1763657611624, hs_published_at=1763657615332, description=Robert Snyder, PhD, is a seasoned expert with a 20-year track record in genomics, specializing in in vitro diagnostic assay development and bioinformatics. Committed to advancing medical science, he is proficient in regulatory V&V study designs and understands the nuances of orthogonal methods. A collaborative partner in biomedical development, Dr. Snyder champions the critical transition of biospecimens from benchtop to bedside., avatar=Image{width=576,height=576,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/PfM%20Website/Headshots/Headshots%20no%20background/Robert%20Snyder.webp',altText='Robert Snyder',fileId=165892444501}, linkedin=https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-snyder-ph-d-9b67b035, hs_name=, hs_path=, lastname=Snyder, PhD, hs_created_at=1709645745117, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Robert, job=, slug=robert-snyder, email=, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, second={hs_id=164691024166, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1716326265678, hs_published_at=1763657615332, description=Respected veteran of the biospecimen and biomarker laboratory services industry. Honed his expertise through leadership roles in organizations including Roche, Cancer Genetics, and BioServe. Holds a Master of Public Health and a Masters of Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins University., avatar=Image{width=576,height=576,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/PfM%20Website/Headshots/Headshots%20no%20background/Rob%20Fannon%20Headshot.webp',altText='Rob Fannon Headshot',fileId=165893006477}, linkedin=https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-fannon-901378/, team=[{id=163072475009, name='Translational Sciences Leadership'}], lastname=Fannon, MPH, MBA, hs_initial_published_at=1713346931329, hs_created_by_user_id=62155952, hs_created_at=1713345787919, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Rob, job=General Manager, Biospecimen Solutions, slug=rob-fannon, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, third={}})
  • Robert S. avatar

    Robert S.
  • Rob F. avatar

    Rob F.
Discover
Read: Reflect on 20 Years of Cancer Research with MIRROR Biospecimens Reflect on 20 Years of Cancer Research with MIRROR Biospecimens

Translational Research - Biospecimens

Reflect on 20 Years of Cancer Research with MIRROR Biospecimens

|
    has not third author: true, (SizeLimitingPyMap: {main={hs_id=199448088864, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1762810484868, hs_published_at=1763657615332, avatar=Image{width=1200,height=1200,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/Kaylee%20Mueller.png',altText='Kaylee Mueller',fileId=199456336149}, lastname=Mueller, hs_initial_published_at=1762810487482, hs_created_by_user_id=26433386, hs_created_at=1762810467146, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Kaylee, slug=kaylee-mueller, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, second={}, third={}})
  • Kaylee Mueller avatar

    Kaylee Mueller
Discover
Read: Lost in Translation: Turning Multi-omic Chaos into Clinical Clarity Lost in Translation: Turning Multi-omic Chaos into Clinical Clarity

Translational Research - Lab Services

Lost in Translation: Turning Multi-omic Chaos into Clinical Clarity

|
    has third author: false, (SizeLimitingPyMap: {main={hs_id=159488778872, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1744653337128, hs_published_at=1763657615332, description=Visionary leader with decades of distinguished biotechnology and clinical translational research experience. Founded ApoCell in 2004 and later was instrumental in developing and commercializing the ApoStream® rare-cell liquid biopsy technology. Globally recognized cancer researcher and the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. Dedicated and committed to improving the lives of patients with debilitating diseases., avatar=Image{width=576,height=576,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/PfM%20Website/Headshots/Headshots%20no%20background/Darren%20Davis.webp',altText='Darren Davis',fileId=165891429693}, linkedin=https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdarrendavis, team=[{id=163072475009, name='Translational Sciences Leadership'}], hs_name=, hs_path=, lastname=Davis, PhD, hs_created_at=1709645745103, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Darren, job=Senior Vice President, Translational Sciences, slug=darren-davis, email=, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, second={hs_id=167888548278, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1722451546286, hs_published_at=1763657615332, 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=163072475009, name='Translational Sciences Leadership'}], hs_name=, hs_path=, lastname=Phippard, PhD, hs_initial_published_at=1716194887110, hs_created_by_user_id=2737751, hs_created_at=1716194842710, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Deborah, job=Chief Scientific Officer, slug=deborah-phippard-translational-sciences, email=, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}, third={hs_id=159488778883, hs_child_table_id=0, hs_updated_at=1762803857448, hs_published_at=1763657615332, description=Jie Yang, PhD is a Scientific Liaison for Precision for Medicine. An Immunologist by training with extensive industry expertise in designing translational assays for biomarker-guided clinical trials. Conducted postdoctoral research on immuno-oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Led biomarker assay development and collaborated on the implementation of new technologies for pre-clinical and clinical studies conducted by pharmaceutical and biotech companies for drug development., avatar=Image{width=885,height=886,url='https://5014803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5014803/PfM%20Website/Headshots/Headshots%20no%20background/Jie-Yang.png',altText='Jie-Yang',fileId=167372215352}, linkedin=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jie-yang-0528221b, hs_name=, hs_path=, lastname=Yang, PhD, hs_created_at=1709645745114, hs_is_edited=false, hs_deleted_at=0, name=Jie, job=, slug=jie-yang, email=, hs_updated_by_user_id=26433386}})
  • Darren D. avatar Deborah P. avatar Jie Y. avatar

  • Darren D.

    Deborah P.

    Jie Y.
Discover
Loading...