Custom In Vitro Pharmacology Services
Autologous Cell Lines Support A Seamless Transition to In Vivo Programs
Whether you are generating pharmacogenomic hypotheses or understanding mechanisms associated with drug response, the results of preclinical investigations are inherently influenced by your choice of in vitro models. We specialize in spheroid cell line model development and optimization, and bring deep in vitro expertise to every study design. As with our patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, all our proprietary cell cultures are highly characterized and richly annotated with genetic variants and detailed expression profiles. And to support a more relevant, seamless transition from in vitro to ex vivo or in vivo investigations, we offer a growing library of autologous cell cultures derived from Certis PDX models.
Large 3D Tumor Spheroids of Glioblastoma
"I continue to be impressed (but no longer surprised) by the level of information Certis has on glioblastoma cell lines," says Jamie Cope, PhD, Vice President of Research & Translational Medicine at Synchronicity Pharma. Pictured here: BarneyOI Model CRT00362
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Choose the right in vitro test system for your program needs
The Certis in vitro team is experienced developing custom cultures from a variety of sources:
- Commercially available cancer cell lines
- Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) or cell-line derived xenograft (CDX) models
- Ex vivo assays using PDX tumor tissue
- In vitro irradiation
From Dish to Mouse
When planning follow-on animal studies, consider whether in vivo models developed from custom cell cultures might enhance the correlation of results from in vitro and in vivo investigations.
Our Vilber NEWTON 7.0 accommodates 8 excitation channels in the Visible (RGB) and Near-Infrared (NIR) spectrums. Signals can be overlaid so that several reporters can be visualized simultaneously in the same animal.
Targeted Focal Radiation Technology
A highly sensitive optical bioluminescence (BLI) and fluorescence imaging system (using one cell line) analyzes and measures drug effects. With a self-contained x-ray system for targeted radiation, the focal irradiator can hit an exceptionally fine point without whole-body radiation to mimic the clinic.
Featured Cell Cultures with Matching PDX Models
Certis Cell Cultures with Matching PDX Models |
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Disease |
Disease Subtype |
Model ID |
|
Brain |
Glioblastoma |
CRT_GBM_00358 |
|
Brain |
Glioblastoma |
CRT_GBM_00359 |
|
Brain |
Glioblastoma |
CRT_GBM_00361 |
|
Brain |
Glioblastoma |
CRT_GBM_00362 |
|
Colon |
Breast Ductal Carcinoma |
CRT_BRCA_00413 |
|
Colon |
Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (KRAS-mutated) |
CRT_CORE_00304 |
| Colon | Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (KRAS-mutated) | CRT_CORE_00348 |
| Lung | Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Adenocarcinoma (KRAS-mutated) | CRT_LUAD_00295 |
| Lung | Squamous Cell Carcinoma | CRT_LUAD_00404 |
| Lung | Carcinosarcoma | CRT_LUAD_00405 |
| Melanoma | Melanoma | CRT_SKCM_00148 |
| Melanoma | Melanoma | CRT_SKCM_00326 |
| Merkel Cell Carcinoma | Merkel Cell Carcinoma | CRT_MCC_00351 |
| Pancreatic | Adenocarcinoma (KRAS-mutated) | CRT_PAAD_00409 |
| Sarcoma | Pleomorphic Liposarcoma | CRT_SARC_00064 |
| Sarcoma | Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma | CRT_SARC_00073 |
| Sarcoma | Osteosarcoma | CRT_SARC_00093 |
| Sarcoma | Osteosarcoma | CRT_SARC_00174 |
| Sarcoma | Rhabdomyosarcoma | CRT_SARC_00316 |
| Sarcoma | Liposarcoma | CRT_SARC_00395 |
Robust and Reproducible Bioassays
- IC50 curves and proliferation studies
to determine the half-maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration of chemotherapeutics. - In vitro phenotypic screening. A robust suite of cell death, proliferation, viability and other phenotypic assays to screen compounds.
- Cytotoxicity assays
- Radiation response/susceptibility assays
- MTT assays ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole)
- Agent combo assays
- Luciferase assays
- And 3D assays for in vitro cancer models
- ELISA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to sensitively quantify key protein biomarkers.
- qPCR. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology to detect specific DNA and mRNA biomarkers.
"Our tailored approach and attention to detail yield optimal results that are reproducible and translate to the clinic,” says Jantzen Sperry, PhD, Vice President of Scientific Operations.
In-House Histology Services — Common to Complex Staining, Interpretation and Scoring
Every investigation performed at Certis is executed to precise, scientific standards. Our lab is CLIA-certified for high-complexity testing, which significantly reduces the turnaround time for our staff pathologist to interpret and score histology slides.
- H&E (Hemotoxylin and Eosin) to uncover subcellular structural and biochemical components in cell lines or PDX tumors.
- Ki-67 protein proliferation marker to determine cellular proliferation and risk of recurrence for certain tumor samples or cell lines.
- Custom antibody optimization/protocol transfer. Have a proprietary antibody for your in-house immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays? Transfer the assay to our scientific team to optimize your protocol.
Cellular analysis with 3DHISTECHTM Pannoramic Scan II. Ask us which IHC markers and antibodies will be most effective for your preclinical studies today.
Precise Study Execution for High-Quality Endpoint Analysis
Our number one objective is high-quality data. Certis will ensure the correct controls, techniques and statistical power are in place to deliver the most reliable and reproducible results.- Each cell line model is genetically sequenced using next-generation technology; WES and RNAseq data are analyzed to confirm the genetic fidelity of the model over serial passaging.
- We apply spectral flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry techniques to verify human content in all of our models.
- The Certis in-house bioinformatics team conducts regular quality control checks, reviewing gene coverage and removing murine contamination where applicable.
Certis Quality Control Workflow for In Vitro Preclinical Studies
A rigorous quality control process helps ensure experimental parameters are optimized for cell viability.
Delivering Early Decision-driving data
In Vitro Analysis Toolkit
Cell Viability Assay • Proliferation Assay • Cell Cycle Assay • Cytotoxicity Assay • Protein Expression Analysis Assay • Proliferation Assay • Cell Cycle Assay • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) • Biomarker Assay • MSD Immunological Assay • Protocol Transfers, Assay Validation and Optimization • Custom Assay Development
Cell Line Development, Panels, Screens, Authentication
Custom Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Cell Line Development • High Content Screening with PDX Cell Lines and Traditional Cell Lines • Cell-Based Lead Screening
Cell Line Tagging Technologies
96- or 384-Well Screening Formats • 2D Cell Culture and 3D Cell Culture Phenotypic Profiling with Spectral Flow Cytometry Assay • Multiplex Custom Panel Design and Validation