Effect-Based Bioanalysis Analytical Service
BDS has generated a panel of CALUX cell lines that respond to chemically-induced alterations of key cellular pathways (see Product section for details). Exposure of the respective cells to the chemicals class of interest results in the production of luciferase and the emission of light. This signal predicts the type and magnitude of the biological effect that can be expected from exposure to the chemical or chemical mixture. We employ these methods in the discovery of compounds and compound mixtures with beneficial health effects, like functional foods, and drug candidates.
When, however, these pathways are overstimulated or repressed, effects of chemicals may become adverse, which forms the basis of our effect-based safety assessment. CALUX assays are used to quantitatively assess hazard profiles of chemicals and complex mixtures. In addition, assays have been developed for targeted analysis of groups of chemicals addressing the same biological effect, such as dioxins and PFASs. Analyses carried out in our service department are strictly confidential and are performed under ISO17025 and GMP+ certified conditions. BDS offers its technologies and services world-wide through a network of laboratories and agents. Benefits of BDS’ CALUX® technology for safety- and bio-activity assessment
- High throughput panel covering major health effects
- Sensitive and specific
- Easy sample clean-up / work-up
- Applicable to a wide variety of matrices and many applications
- Accepted in international legislation and guidelines, e.g., EU, OECD, ISO
- Offered under ISO17025/GMP+ certified conditions
- Complementary assays and analysis to match your application
- Short turn-around time
- Cost-effective
- Professional services, backup, and consultancy
- Global sales and support network
Use in safety assessment
A wide range of assays is used by BDS to assess hazard profiles of chemicals and complex mixtures. Their application is in safety assessment and quality control of food, chemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, bio-based materials, water and the environment, for bioactivity profiling of clinical samples and functional foods, and any other application requiring straight forward animal-free safety assessment. These measurements are relevant to predict toxic effects like genotoxicity/carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, and interferences with lipid metabolism/obesogens.
Genotoxicity/carcinogenicity
Our p53 CALUX assay detects compounds that are genotoxic by causing damage to the DNA. This assay can optionally be performed in combination with microsomal S9 fractions to detect compounds that require metabolic conversion to be active. In addition, our assay panel includes a wide range of assays involved in proliferation and differentiation steps that are relevant for non-genotoxic carcinogens, including several nuclear receptor- and dioxin-receptor pathway assays.
Endocrine disruption
Endocrine disruption has been recognized as a priority endpoint in safety evaluation of chemicals and consumer products. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are being classified as substances of very high concern and regulations to restrict their use are being installed world-wide. EDC effects are hard to predict and are best tested using in vitro bioassays. To avoid animal studies BDS has developed a range of assays that allow screening and safety assessment of chemicals and consumer products in a rapid and cost-effective way.