REPROCELL

MOLECULAR SERVICES: Genotyping Services

Our in-house expertise in assay design, oligonucleotide synthesis and SNP validation enable us to deliver accurate data, quickly and cost-effectively. We specialize in smaller to mid-size projects, providing intense customer service from assay design to data delivery and discussing your experiment results.

MOLECULAR SERVICES: Real-Time PCR

Real-time PCR measures amplification cycle-by-cycle enables quantitative measurements during the exponential phase of PCR. We now utilize latest in the family of real-time PCR instruments by Applied BioSystems – the ViiA7™.

MOLECULAR SERVICES: Genomic DNA Extraction

BioServe has 20 years of experience with genomic DNA isolation from nearly all biomaterials including whole blood, blood clots, buffy coats, PMBCs, nuclear pellets, serum, saliva, mouthwash, buccal swabs, cytobrushes, plant material, cultured cells, fresh and frozen tissues and paraffin embedded tissues. Quality of DNA is determined through electrophoresis.

MOLECULAR SERVICES: RNA Extraction

BioServe has 20 years experience with RNA isolation from a variety of starting material. We have been successful in RNA extraction from whole blood, buffy coats, PAXgene tubes, lymphocytes, cultured cells, plant material, cartilage, fresh and frozen tissues and various bacteria. The quality of RNA isolated is determined using Agilent’s Bioanalyzer.

Cystic Fibrosis Genotyping Test (FDA Approved)

CLIA certified molecular diagnostic tests utilizing FDA approved GenMark Dx Tm platform. The Cystic Fibrosis Genotyping Test (FDA Approved) detects a panel of 23 recommended ACOG/ACMG mutations associated with cystic fibrosis

Warfarin Sensitivity Test (FDA Approved) : This test detects three genetic markers known to play a critical role in metabolism of and sensitivity to warfarin: CYP450 2C9(*2 and 3) and VKORC1 (-1639G>A). CLIA certified molecular diagnostic tests utilizing FDA approved GenMark Dx Tm platform.

Thrombophilia Risk Test (FDA Approved) : This test detects all four inherited genetic risk factors of thrombophilia: FV, FII, MTHFR 677 and MTHFR 1298. CLIA certified molecular diagnostic tests utilizing FDA approved GenMark Dx Tm platform

Respiratory Viral Panel (FDA Approved) : This panel is designed for simultaneous detection of 20 respiratory virus types and subtypes. CLIA certified molecular diagnostic tests utilizing FDA approved GenMark Dx Tm platform.

Plavix Sensitivity Testing: This test is designed for detection and genotyping of the *2, *3, *4, *5, *6 ,*7, *8, *9, *10, *13 and *17 alleles of the cytochrome P450 2C19 gene locus. CLIA certified molecular diagnostic tests utilizing FDA approved GenMark Dx Tm platform.

Pain Management: This test is designed to test the variations in CYP 3A4 and CYP 3A5 that can help predict the effectiveness of the drugs involved in pain management. CLIA certified molecular diagnostic tests utilizing FDA approved GenMark Dx Tm platform.

CLIA certified molecular diagnostic tests utilizing FDA approved GenMark Dx Tm platform.

The current assay menu includes the following:

• Cystic Fibrosis Genotyping Test (FDA Approved) : This test detects a panel of 23 recommended ACOG/ACMG mutations associated with cystic fibrosis
  
• Warfarin Sensitivity Test (FDA Approved) : This test detects three genetic markers known to play a critical role in metabolism of and sensitivity to warfarin: CYP450 2C9(*2 and 3) and VKORC1 (-1639G>A)
  
• Thrombophilia Risk Test (FDA Approved) : This test detects all four inherited genetic risk factors of thrombophilia: FV, FII, MTHFR 677 and MTHFR 1298.
  
• Respiratory Viral Panel (FDA Approved) : This panel is designed for simultaneous detection of 20 respratory visrus types and subtypes.
  
• Plavix Sensitivity Testing: This test is designed for detection and genotyping of the *2, *3, *4, *5, *6 ,*7, *8, *9, *10, *13 and *17 alleles of the cytochrome P450 2C19 gene locus
  
• Pain Management: This test is designed to test the variations in CYP 3A4 and CYP 3A5 that can help predict the effectiveness of the drugs involved in pain management.

Human Biorepository

BioServe’s Global BioRepository is one of the largest commercial human tissue banks in the world. With more than 600,000 human serum, DNA, RNA, and FFPE samples, from over 120,000 patients on four continents. BioServe also continues to establish procurement partnerships with speciality clinics around the United States in a number of indications/diseases for prospective sample collection.

Exclusive provider of the Stemgent® StemRNA™ 3rd Gen reprogramming technology — the most rapid, robust, and clinically relevant integration-free method on the market, allowing REPROCELL to deliver iPSCs in around half the time of its competitors, even from refractory patient lines. Custom iPSC production services include:

• Fresh, normal or diseased tissue available through our custom collection network
• Establishment of patient-derived primary somatic cell lines as part of the standard service
• Reprogramming of multiple human and non-human cell types
• Cryopreserved patient-derived primary cells and iPSCs expanded and provided
• Milestone achievements for flexible project customization and fair value

We have extensive experience with differentiation of iPSCs into hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes and neuronal cells (mixed progenitors, dopaminergic, sensory). REPROCELL also has collaborations with key academic labs and ongoing projects related to several other differentiated cell types. This service can be used in conjunction with our iPSC Reprogramming Services.

With more than 600,000 human tissue, serum, DNA, and RNA samples, from over 120,000 patients on four continents, academic and industry researchers have access to a diverse range of human biospecimens in various disease states to meet their research needs.

Novel Alvetex-based 3D assay for inhibition and recovery of Neurite Outgrowth. Using TERA-2 or ReproNeuro™ iPSC-derived Human Neurons (wild-type, Alzheimer's presinilin-2 patient and presinilin-1 mutant). Explore physiological and pathological ECM coatings (laminin, CSPGs), known pathway inhibitors and therapeutic lead compounds.

Human Mucosa (ileum, trachea) Ion Channel Activity Assays

This assay assesses whether a test compound causes a change in short circuit current across healthy human tracheal mucosa or healthy human gastrointestinal mucosa. Controls include isoprenaline, amiloride and cholera toxin.

Human Ex-vivo Culture Inflammation Assays

These assays assess the effect of test compounds on ex-vivo cultures of Human biopsies from skin, GI and lung tissue, from healthy and diseased patients. Diseased tissues that can be accessed include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, COPD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. Inflammation can also be induced via pre-treatment of healthy biopsies with LPS, TH-17 cocktail or TH-2 cocktail. Common endpoints are ELISA and gene expression.

Access to over 1.5 million human tissue samples is banking on an industrial scene

This assays assesses the effect of test compounds on viability, cytokine release, as well as artery and airway diameter, in Human precision-cut lung slices. Treatments include LPS and isoprenaline.

This assay assesses the permeability of test articles across healthy human gastrointestinal mucosa. It is possible to assess permeability across multiple regions of the GI system, eg. stomach, jejunum, ileum, colon.

This assay assesses whether test compounds cause bronchoconstriction in human airways, using denuded secondary, tertiary or lower airways from healthy, asthma or COPD human donors. Controls include carbachol, histamine, acetylcholine, leukotriene D4, U46619.

This assay assesses whether test compounds cause bronchodilation in human airways, using denuded secondary, tertiary or lower airways from healthy, asthma or COPD human donors. Controls include isoprenaline, formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol.

Human Cardiac Muscle Contractility Assays

This assay assesses whether test compounds cause an increase in contractile force in electrically stimulated human atrial or ventricular muscle, from normal or failing hearts. Targets include 5-HT receptor, adrenoceptors, PDE3 receptor, acetylcholine receptor.

Human Uterus Contractility Assays

This assay assesses whether test articles cause an increase, or a decrease, in spontaneous contractile activity in isolated human uterine tissue. Controls include oxytocin, vasopressin, isoprenaline, isradipine and SNP.

Human Gastrointestinal (stomach, colon) Muscle Contractility Assays

This assay assesses whether test articles cause a change in contractile force on electrically stimulated human stomach or colon. Controls include galantamine, meptanizol and erythromycin.

Human Urinary (Ureter, Bladder, Urethra) Contractility Assays

This assay assesses whether test articles cause contraction in isolated human urethra, or cause relaxation in isolated human ureter or human bladder strips. Controls include epinephrine, isoprenaline and isoproterenol.

We have 20 years of experience with genomic DNA and RNA isolation from nearly all biomaterials. Samples are quantitated by optical density. Quality of DNA is determined through electrophoresis. RNA quality control checks are performed through Agilent’s Bioanalyzer.

Experience with genomic DNA isolation from nearly all biomaterials including whole blood, blood clots, buffy coats, PMBCs, nuclear pellets, serum, saliva, mouthwash, buccal swabs, cytobrushes, plant material, cultured cells, fresh and frozen tissues and paraffin embedded tissues.

Utilizes different types of reagents based on the type of biomaterials. The most common of which are our DNAQuik™ reagents developed by BioServe. DNAQuik reagents are non-organic and yield good quality, high molecular weight genomic DNA. We have utilized DNAQuik reagents for DNA extraction from a variety of tissues. We also utilize organic reagents to obtain high quality DNA from buccal swabs and cytobrushes.

Genomic DNA is quantitated by measuring optical density at 260 nm and A280 nm wavelengths. Samples that traditionally yield small quantity of DNA or have bacterial DNA are quantitated using Real-Time PCR using a probe specific for human DNA and also has capabilities to provide Picogreen quantitation.

Quality of DNA is determined by electrophoresing a small quantity of DNA (25 ng to 200 ng) on 1% agarose gel. We typically performs quality check on 10% of the samples. In case of mouthwash, buccal swabs, cytobrushes, and paraffin embedded tissues, quantitation by Real-Time PCR also serves as a quality check. The quality of some DNA samples isolated has been assayed after 15 years, and determined to be of high quality after storage in -70°C.

Genomic DNA isolated has been utilized in several molecular biology and genomics applications. These include SNP analysis by MassARRAY (Sequenom), Masscode (Qiagenomics), Beadchip Array (Illumina), GeneChip Array (Affymetrix) and TaqMan (ABI).

This experiment assesses whether test articles cause vasoconstriction in human coronary arteries, sub-cutaneous resistance arteries or saphenous vein. Ask us for other vascular beds. Targets include receptors for angiotensin, 5-HT, opiods, vasopressin, oxytocin, phenylephrine and prostanoids

The experiment assesses whether test articles cause vasodilatation in human chorionic plate arteries, skeletal muscle arteries or sub-cutaneous resistance arteries. Ask us for other vascular beds. Tragets include receptors for bradykinin, PDE3, PDE5, acetlycholine, SNP, vasopressin and oxytocin.

Biology Services

ReproCELL USA provides unrivaled access to clinical grade, data rich, IRB approved human tissue samples.

In-house biosamples: Our BioRepository is one of the largest commercial human tissue banks in the world. With more than 600,000 human serum, DNA, RNA, and FFPE samples, from over 120,000 patients on four continents, there is a good chance that the human DNA samples you need are already stored in the BioRepository.

**Prospective Sample Collections: Through our orphan disease network, rare human tissue samples are finally within reach. We continue to establish procurement partnerships with specialty clinics around the United States in a number of indications/diseases, including Autoimmune, Inflammatory and Rheumatology, Urology and Oncology. Our access to over 1.5 million human tissue samples is banking on an industrial scene. Even with so many samples, every once in a while we do get a request for specimens that we don’t have on hand.

In these situations, we use our Custom Collections to fulfill our client needs. With our Custom Collections services, we are able to tap our growing network of sites to quickly get the specific samples you need. We are experts at new collection site recruitment, training, and monitoring.

With Custom Collections, we are able to provide the following services:

• Case report form development. Custom case report forms specify exactly the type of data needed that is associated with the sample – ex. clinical, molecular, demographic, lifestyle, family history, etc.
  
• Technical specimen collection protocols. Want your ideal specimen to be maintained in a certain buffer? How about an extra centrifugation step? No problem, just tell us exactly what you need, and we’ll train our sites.
  
• Fresh material access. We can same-day ship specimens directly to you from our collection sites.
  
• Short- to long-term specimen storage. We can store your collection at BioServe’s state-of-the-art banking facility or at collection site.
  

With Custom Collections, we can collect blood, tissue samples, and other biofluids from a growing network of sites, including:

• The largest private urology network in Maryland. Indications include: Erectile dysfunction, Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Bladder cancer, Prostate cancer, Overactive bladder, Peyronie’s disease, Kidney stones, Hematuria, Incontinence, Prostatitis, Renal cell cancer, Testicular cancer, Testosterone deficiency, Varicocele, vasectomy, and more
  
• An East Coast autoimmune, inflammatory, and rheumatology clinic. Indications include: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Chronic Pain, Diabetic Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, GERD, Gout, Hyperlipidemia or Cholesterol Disorders, Insomnia, Low Back Pain, Lupus, Obesity, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Other Rheumatic diseases, Stress Urinary Incontinence, and more
  
• A West Coast gynecological oncology group. Indications include: Ovarian cancer, Uterine cancer, Vulvar cancer, Vaginal cancer, Cervical cancer, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Endometriosis, and more

REPROCELL has access to a range of human tissue and we are happy to discuss any assay formats that are not listed elsewhere on this page. Please be aware REPROCELL can also generate comparative pharmacology data using a variety of preclinical species. To discuss a customized assay, please contact us.

Cell and Tissue Culture Services

Human Tissue Services

Drug Discovery & Development Services