Immunology Research
Biochip Array Technology (BAT)
Overview
Randox Biosciences offer a comprehensive range of technologies and solutions to make immunology focused research become more efficient, cost effective and accurate. These technologies, coupled with Randox’s excellent support, ensure you receive consistent results with a high level of accuracy. We produce the majority of our products in-house and are much more flexible in terms of adapting to the methods of your research project. Therefore, whatever stage of the process you are in, be it biomarker identification studies right through to clinical trials, we can provide you with a full range of arrays, biomarkers and analysers that will best fit your individual requirements.
Evidence Investigator, Versatile, efficient and comprehensive testing
Randox Biosciences offer a comprehensive range of technologies and solutions to make immunology focused research become more efficient, cost effective and accurate. These technologies, coupled with Randox’s & BioSPX's excellent support, ensure you receive consistent results with a high level of accuracy. We produce the majority of our products in-house and are much more flexible in terms of adapting to the methods of your research project. Therefore, whatever stage of the process you are in, be it biomarker identification studies right through to clinical trials, we can provide you with a full range of arrays, biomarkers and analysers that will best fit your individual requirements.
Quality Results
• Inter and Intra-assay CV’s typically less than 10%
• Assays standardised to reference material where appropriate
• Excellent sensitivity, sub-pg/mL in many instances
• Assays validated to a clinical diagnostic standard
• Minimal batch variation, ideal for longitudinal research studies
Reduced Sample Volume
• Analyse a complete profile of biomarkers from as little as 25µl of sample
• Ideal when conservation of sample is critical
No Hidden Costs
• Full analyser package includes biochip imaging module, PC and imaging software, thermoshaker, biochip
carrier handling tray and barcode scanner
• Protein arrays: all inclusive kits including reagents, biochips, buffer and multi-analyte calibrators
Consolidation
• Consolidation of immunoassay and molecular diagnostics onto a single platform
Cytokine
and Inflammatory Research
Cytokines are small innate regulatory proteins involved in immune response and are produced by various cell types including B-cells, T-cells, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils and endothelial cells. Cytokines function as intercellular chemical messengers. They act as external controlling elements in hematopoiesis and also mediate and control immune and inflammatory responses. They have been implicated in pathological conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, allergic response and play a significant role in surgery recovery, including transplantation.
Cytokine Facts
• Similar functions can be stimulated by different cytokines.
• They can act synergistically or antagonistically therefore measuring a single cytokine
may miss an important facet of response progression
• Have duplicity of function when dealing with infection
• Can affect their host cell (autocrine), nearby cells (paracrine)or distant cells (endocrine)
• Commonly cascade so cytokine activation pathways can more readily be observed if many are measured
simultaneously
• Exert their influence through receptors in the cell membrane or within the cell
Standard Arrays
• Cytokine Array I
• Cytokine High Sensitivity Array
• Cytokine Array III
• Cytokine Array IV
• Cytokine Array V
Cytokine Biochip Arrays
To determine multiple cytokines in a single sample at a single time point, Randox offers a comprehensive menu of 33 cytokines, cytokine receptors and growth factors, over five multi-analyte arrays. Each cytokine assay is performed on a 9 x 9mm activated biochip with spatially discrete test regions containing antibodies specific to each of the analytes. The combination of highly specific antibodies and advanced chemistries enables cytokines, cytokine receptors and growth factors to be detected simultaneously in a single sample, providing valuable information relating to each cytokine under test and possible associations between cytokines in each sample
Hypersensitive Response
In some cases, the immune response over-reacts, turning cytokines against the body they are designed to protect. When the cytokine cascades fail to shut down, they can drive the host into a state of acute or chronically activated cells, which dominate an otherwise dormant immune system. Examples of the most obvious manifestations of this hypersensitivity are an unnecessary inflammatory response and fever; both of which can be life threatening if left untreated.
Details
Put simply, Biochip Array Technology is a multi-analyte testing platform allowing the simultaneous quantitative or qualitative detection of a wide range of analytes from a single sample. It provides a unique platform for assessment of biological samples in a rapid, accurate and easy to use format.
The problem with traditional diagnosis
Traditional diagnosis takes the form of single analyte assays, even though several tests are usually required. This may result in multiple patient blood draws, increased reagent volume, ultimately increasing time to diagnosis.
The solution
In response, Randox created Biochip Array Technology and the Evidence analyser as a solution. Simultaneous detection of multiple analytes produces a complete patient profile, providing exceptional time, resource and cost savings.
The Biochip - The foundation of Biochip Array Technology
• A 9x9mm biochip acts as the solid phase and as the reaction vessel, replacing multiple cuvettes
• Biochips are pre-fabricated with an array of discrete test regions (DTRs) with a different test located at each DTR
• One biochip is used per sample to produce multiple test results simultaneously
• Randox Biochips currently hold up to 49 tests, with the potential to significantly increase this number
The biochip surface
The surface of the biochip is chemically coated using a proprietary silanation process which allows for:
• Activation of the biochip surface – ensuring uniformity and reproducibility, minimising batch to batch variations
• Modification of surface chemistry during the activation process – controlled binding of antibodies in optimal orientation
Control sites – ensuring reliable IQC Each Biochip contains internal quality control sites, which are always on the same position on every biochip. The control DTRs have set target levels in order to identify problems. If the levels for these control DTRs fall outside specified target ranges, an error code will be generated instead of a result, indicating an inaccurate result.
Save time - save costs
• Multiplex testing allows multiple tests to be carried out from a single patient sample reducing the amount of time and labour spent on individual tests
Consolidation on one system
• The world’s first platform allowing consolidation of immunoassay and molecular diagnostics with protein and DNA based biochips
• Delivering cost savings and improving laboratory efficiency
World’s most diverse test menu
• More tests available than any other sole supplier
• Routine and novel markers available
Result traceability
• Chain of custody features
• Barcoded calibrators
Complete patient profiling
• Multiplex testing with Biochip Array Technology allows clinicians and investigators to consider the complete picture allowing for well informed decisions and accurate diagnosis
Optimum laboratory efficiency
• Multi-analyte controls and calibrators available for accurate and reliable laboratory testing
• Compact benchtop system saves valuable laboratory space
Reduced sample volume
• Analyse a complete profile of biomarkers from as little as 25µl of sample
• Ideal for paediatric testing
• Saves patient distress
High throughput
• The Evidence Investigator has the ability to process 702 tests in 70 minutes using the protein arrays
• It can also detect up to 40 mutations, SNPs or pathogens in as many as 54 samples at once, in as little as three hours for molecular applications
Quality results
• Inter and intra-assay CV’s typically less than 10%
• Extensive QC capabilities with multi-analyte controls available
• User defined reference ranges
• Quantitative and qualitative results available
• Immunoassay arrays: serum, plasma, whole blood, urine, tissue, egg, feed, honey, milk, cell culture supernatant, stool, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and forensic matrices
Ease of operation
• Straightforward testing procedure, reducing operator error
• Ready to use biochips
• Minimal sample handling
No hidden costs
• Full analyser package includes biochip imaging module, PC and imaging software, thermoshaker, biochip carrier handling tray and barcode scanner
• Protein arrays: all inclusive kits including reagents, biochips, wash buffer and multianalyte calibrators
Protein / Antibody assay formats
Competitive immunoassay
In a competitive immunoassay, the more analyte present in a sample, the less labelled conjugate that will bind to the immunoreaction site. Therefore the signal produced will be low. If there is little analyte in the sample, more labelled conjugate will bind to the capture antibody resulting in a higher signal.
Sandwich immunoassay
In a sandwich immunoassay, the more analyte present in a sample, the more conjugate will bind to the capture antibody. As a result, the signal will be high. Conversely, lower signal is produced when the concentration of analyte in the sample is low.
Antibody Capture
In this methodology antigens are immobilised onto the surface of the biochip and antibodies in the sample are then bound.
Highly accurate testing
• BAT has a proven high standard of accurate test results with typical CV’s ‹ 10%
• Multiplex analysis minimises analytical variation between tests
Better patient diagnosis
• Testing for multiple markers simultaneously increases the amount of patient information rapidly available to the clinician, allowing for more informed patient diagnosis
Optimum efficiency
• Multi-analyte reagents and quality control material, provides highly efficient testing while eliminating any wastage
Small sample volume
• Reduced sample volume requirements puts the patient at ease
• Patient profiling saves precious sample if further analysis is required
Cost consolidation
• Multiplex testing reduces the amount of time spent on individual tests and associated laboratory costs
Multiple sample types
• Multiple sample types can be used on one analyser including serum, plasma, whole blood, urine, oral fluid and alternative matrices
• This allows the clinician to offer flexible patient testing
Result traceability
• Barcoded controls and patient samples ensure complete traceability of results
Retrospective reporting
• Retrieve previously unreported results without additional testing, saving time
Extensive Quality Control features
• Internal quality control markers on every biochip ensure optimum assay performance
• Comprehensive Quality Control data is automatically created and displayed on LeveyJennings charts
Wide and varied test menu
• Randox’s vast biochip test menu allows clinicians to detect routine and novel markers for advanced diagnostic analysis
Research Arrays
