Live Cell Assays

The use of cell-based assays within pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies is driven in large part by the need to evaluate the plethora of drug targets derived from genomics and proteomics. In addition, the potential of biomarkers to facilitate the development of effective and safe drugs is being recognized as an integral part of all phases of drug development, and cell-based technologies are a critical part of biomarker discovery and development. Despite this critical role, cell-based assays have not been standardized and made compliant with Good Laboratory Practice guidelines. In this book, the editors have collected assays for which validation procedures have been developed, making this a vital purchase for anyone using such assays in drug development. This book: Describes the development, optimization and validation of cell-based assays, including procedural documentation required for Good Laboratory Practice Presents validations of cell-based assays for select targets, with step-by-step instructions, allowing the reader to reproduce the assay conditions and results Provides details of techniques used in the evaluation of immunodeficiency, autoimmune and oncological disorders, including assessment of cancer vaccines Offers a compendium of validation parameters that need to be considered when using these methods to develop a new drug Includes detailed protocols for the evaluation of cytokines and of neutralizing antibodies directed against protein therapeutics Validation of Cell-based Assays in the GLP Setting provides the professional with an invaluable reference source, featuring key guidelines. The book will prove extremely useful to all scientists working in the areas of drug development.

Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from the existing vasculature, is essential for physiological growth and over 18,000 research articles have been published describing the role of angiogenesis in over 70 different diseases, including cancer, diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. One of the most important technical challenges in such studies has been finding suitable methods for assessing the effects of regulators of eh angiogenic response. While increasing numbers of angiogenesis assays are being described both in vitro and in vivo, it is often still necessary to use a combination of assays to identify the cellular and molecular events in angiogenesis and the full range of effects of a given test protein. Although the endothelial cell – its migration, proliferation, differentiation and structural rearrangement – is central to the angiogenic process, it is not the only cell type involved. the supporting cells, the extracellular matrix and the circulating blood with its cellular and humoral components also contribute. In this book, experts in the use of a diverse range of assays outline key components of these and give a critical appraisal of their strengths and weaknesses. Examples include assays for the proliferation, migration and differentiation of endothelial cells in vitro, vessel outgrowth from organ cultures, assessment of endothelial and mural cell interactions, and such in vivo assays as the chick chorioallantoic membrane, zebrafish, corneal, chamber and tumour angiogenesis models. These are followed by a critical analysis of the biological end-points currently being used in clinical trials to assess the clinical efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs, which leads into a discussion of the direction future studies should take. This valuable book is of interest to research scientists currently working on angiogenesis in both the academic community and in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Relevant disciplines include cell and molecular biology, oncology, cardiovascular research, biotechnology, pharmacology, pathology and physiology.

Edited by one of the leading experts in the field, this book fills the need for a book presenting the most important methods for high-throughput screenings and functional characterization of enzymes. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach, making it indispensable for all those involved in this expanding field, and reflects the major advances made over the past few years. For biochemists, analytical, organic and catalytic chemists, and biotechnologists.

This book highlights the applications of coupled bioluminescence assay techniques to real-world problems in drug discovery, environmental and chemical analysis, and biodefense. It separates theoretical aspects from the applied sections in a clear and readable way. Coupled Bioluminescent Assays, explains the uses of CB technologies across drug discovery to analyze toxicity, drug receptors, and enzymes. It covers applications in environmental analysis and biodefense, including cytotoxicity, fertilizer and explosives analysis, and nerve agent and pesticide detection. This is the premier reference on coupled bioluminescent assays for chemists, biochemists, and molecular biologists.

A consolidated and comprehensive reference on ligand-binding assays Ligand-binding assays (LBAs) stand as the cornerstone of support for definition of the pharmaco-kinetics and toxicokinetics of macromolecules, an area of burgeoning interest in the pharmaceutical industry. Yet, outside of the Crystal City Conference proceedings, little guidance has been available for LBA validation, particularly for assays used to support macromolecule drug development. Ligand-Binding Assays: Development, Validation, and Implementation in the Drug Development Arena answers that growing need, serving as a reference text discussing critical aspects of the development, validation, and implementation of ligand-binding assays in the drug development field. Ligand-Binding Assays covers essential topics related to ligand-binding assays, from pharmacokinetic studies, the development of LBAs, assay validation, statistical LBA aspects, and regulatory aspects, to software for LBAs and robotics and other emerging methodologies for LBAs. Highlights include: A general discussion of challenges and proven approaches in the development of ligand-binding assays More detailed examination of characteristics of these assays when applied to support of pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies of compounds at different stages in the discovery or development timeline A concise, but detailed, discussion of validation of ligand-binding assays for macromolecules A practical approach to «fit-for-purpose» validation of assays for biomarkers, those molecules receiving increased attention as potentially demonstrating that the target chosen in discovery is being modulated by the candidate therapeutic, both in nonclinical and clinical studies Written by a team of world-recognized authorities in the field, Ligand-Binding Assays provides key information to a broad range of practitioners, both in the pharmaceutical and allied industries and in related contract research organizations and academic laboratories and, perhaps, even in the field of diagnostics and clinical chemistry.

This long-awaited, first comprehensive book on this topic of fundamental importance in our understanding of cancer begins with an overview of cellular junctions, before covering cell-matrix junctions, cell-cell junctions and cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion in separate sections. Of high interest to cell and molecular biologists, cancer researchers, oncologists, biochemists, pharmaceutists and those working in the pharmaceutical industry.

Cell walls are defining feature of plant life. The unique and multi-faceted role they play in plant growth and development has long been of interest to students and researchers. Plant Cell Wall Patterning and Cell Shape looks at the diverse function of cell walls in plant development, intercellular communication, and defining cell shape. Plant Cell Wall Patterning and Cell Shape is divided into three sections. The first section looks at role cell walls play in defining cell shape. The second section looks more broadly at plant development. While the third and final section looks at new insights into cell wall patterning.

An accessible and straightforward intro to cell biology In the newly revised Fourth Edition of Cell Biology: A Short Course , a distinguished team of researchers delivers a concise and accessible introduction to modern cell biology, integrating knowledge from genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, and microscopy. The book places a strong emphasis on drawing connections between basic science and medicine. Telling the story of cells as the units of life in a colorful and student-friendly manner, Cell Biology: A Short Course takes an “essentials only” approach. It conveys critical points without overburdening the reader with extraneous or secondary information. Clear diagrams and examples from current research accompany special boxed sections that focus on the importance of cell biology in medicine and industry. A new feature, “BrainBoxes” describes some of the key people who created the current understanding of Cell Biology. The book has been thoroughly revised and updated since the last edition and includes: Thorough introduction to cells and tissues, membranes, organelles, and the structure of DNA and genetic code Explorations of DNA as a data storage medium, transcription and the control of gene expression, and recombinant DNA and genetic engineering Discussion of the manufacture of proteins, protein structure, and intracellular protein trafficking Description of ions and voltages, intracellular and extracellular signaling Introduction to the cytoskeleton and cell movement Discussion of cell division and apoptosisPerfect for undergraduate students seeking an accessible, one-stop reference on cell biology, Cell Biology: A Short Course is also an ideal reference for pre-med students.

This text tells the story of cells as the unit of life in a colorful and student-friendly manner, taking an «essentials only» approach. By using the successful model of previously published Short Courses, this text succeeds in conveying the key points without overburdening readers with secondary information. The authors (all active researchers and educators) skillfully present concepts by illustrating them with clear diagrams and examples from current research. Special boxed sections focus on the importance of cell biology in medicine and industry today. This text is a completely revised, reorganized, and enhanced revision of From Genes to Cells.