Biological Services

CreaGen offers flexible biology services for discovery and preclinical research, with an emphasis on robust experimental design, appropriate controls, and reproducible, decision-ready readouts. We support client programs from sample-to-data, spanning biomolecule preparation and quantification, molecular and immunoassay workflows, and cell-based phenotypic and functional testing.

Our capabilities include nucleic acid and protein workflows (isolation, quantitation, and quality assessment), gene expression assays (RT-PCR), and protein/biomarker measurement using immunoassay approaches (e.g., ELISA and tissue/cell staining methods). We also provide cell-based analysis using microscopy and plate-based functional assays to quantify viability/proliferation, enzyme activity, and lipid accumulation where relevant to the biology of interest.

For projects requiring complex cell handling, CreaGen supports cell culture operations (maintenance, cryopreservation, QC/testing, and basic culture analytics), as well as cell isolation from tissue and enrichment of defined populations using magnetic- or flow-based approaches (MACS/FACS), with protocol optimization for variable sample sources.

We also offer flow cytometry services on the Agilent NovoCyte platform, enabling immunophenotyping and a range of functional cellular readouts (e.g., apoptosis, proliferation, cytokine-related assays, calcium flux, and other cell-function assessments), selected and customized to match client study objectives.

Common In-Vitro Assays and Services

• Cell Viability and Proliferation Assays (e.g., MTT, CellTiter-Glo, BrdU, IncuCyte)
• Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity Assays (e.g., Annexin V, Caspase, LDH, TUNEL)
• Enzyme Inhibition Assays (e.g., kinase, protease, phosphatase)
• Receptor Binding Assays (e.g., GPCR, ion channel, nuclear receptor)
• ADME Assays (e.g., Caco-2, microsomal stability, CYP inhibition)
• Immunological Assays (e.g., cytokine release, T-cell activation, phagocytosis)
• Functional Assays (e.g., migration, invasion, angiogenesis)
• High-Content Screening (HCS) (e.g., phenotypic, multiparametric analysis)
• 3D Cell Culture Assays (e.g., spheroid, organoid, co-culture)
• Specialized Assays (e.g., target engagement, biomarker assays)

Common Services Offered by Our Cell Culture Laboratory

• Cell Culture and Maintenance (e.g., growing mammalian, insect, stem cells, passaging)
• Cryopreservation and Storage (e.g., freezing, liquid nitrogen storage)
• Quality Control and Testing (e.g., mycoplasma testing, STR analysis)
• Media Preparation and Supply (e.g., standard and custom media, sera, additives)
• Training and Education (e.g., hands-on technique training, aseptic methods)
• Access to Equipment (e.g., biosafety cabinets, incubators, microscopes)

Basic Cell Analysis

• Trypan Blue Cell Density and Viability: Stains dead cells blue, AI-based analysis for density and viability
• AO/PI Cell Density and Viability: Dual dye fluorescence for live/dead differentiation, using FRET-effect
• GFP/RFP Transfection Efficiency: Measure transfection efficiency using fluorescent proteins (compares to flow cytometry)
• Additional Parameters
  • Cell Size Distribution: Analyze the distribution of cell sizes for understanding cell populations.
  • Cell Shape Factor: Assess cell morphology, an early indicator of culture changes.
  • Aggregate Formation: Identify and quantify cell clusters for organoid or aggregate studies.
  • Relative Fluorescence Intensity: Measure the intensity of fluorescence, providing data on marker content or tagged products.
  • Growth Curve Analysis: Feedback on the kinetics of bio-processes, aiding in culture optimization.

Capabilities for a Broad Range of Biochemical, Cell-Based, and Immunological Research

• ELISA: Detect antibodies/antigens for immunological studies (absorbance or fluorescence)
• Protein Quantification: Measure protein concentrations (absorbance or fluorescence)
• Nucleic Acid Quantification: Quantify DNA/RNA (absorbance or fluorescence)
• Cell Viability Assays: Assess live cell populations for cytotoxicity/proliferation (luminescence or fluorescence)
• Enzyme Activity Assays: Measure enzyme function for drug discovery (absorbance, fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, or Alpha technology)
• Molecular Binding Assays: Study receptor-ligand or protein-protein interactions (fluorescence polarization or Alpha technology)
• Gene Expression Assays: Quantify gene expression via reporter systems (luminescence)
• Immunoassays for Biomarker Detection: Detect cytokines/biomarkers in various matrices (luminescence, TRF, or Alpha technology)
• GPCR Functional Assays: Assess GPCR activity for drug discovery (Alpha technology)
  Phosphoprotein Detection: Measure phosphorylated proteins for signaling studies (Alpha technology)
• Phosphoprotein Detection: Measure phosphorylated proteins for signaling studies (Alpha technology)

Standard Molecular Biology Applications

• Gene Expression Analysis: Quantify mRNA levels using TaqMan or SYBR Green
• SNP Genotyping: Detect SNPs using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays
• Pathogen Detection: Identify viral/bacterial nucleic acids using TaqMan
• miRNA Analysis: Quantify miRNAs using TaqMan miRNA Assays
• Copy Number Variation (CNV): Measure gene copy number changes using TaqMan CNV Assays
• Protein Thermal Shift: Assess protein stability via melting temperature
• Plus/Minus Assays: Detect presence/absence of sequences using TaqMan
• Absolute Quantification: Determine exact nucleic acid quantities using standard curves
• Relative Quantification: Compare gene expression relative to a reference using ΔΔCt

Assays Offered Using Our Agilent NovoCyte Flow Cytometer System

• Immunophenotyping: Identify immune cell subsets using multicolor antibody panels (e.g., 13- or 16-color panels for T-cell differentiation, activation, or exhaustion).
• Apoptosis Assays: Measure cell death via Annexin V, caspase activity, or DNA fragmentation, using fluorescent markers.
• Cell Proliferation Assays: Quantify cell division using dyes like CFSE or BrdU incorporation.
• Cytokine Production Assays: Detect cytokine secretion in immune cells using bead-based multiplexing or intracellular staining.
• Phagocytosis Assays: Assess neutrophil or macrophage engulfment of particles, using fluorescently labeled targets.
• Calcium Flux Assays: Measure intracellular calcium changes in cells (e.g., Jurkat T cells) to study signaling.
• Platelet Function Assays: Evaluate platelet activation via CD62P expression and platelet-leukocyte aggregates.
• Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) Assays: Quantify T-cell-mediated tumor cell killing and cytokine secretion.
• Osmotic Fragility Assays: Analyze red blood cell resistance to salinity and temperature changes.
• Bacterial Detection Assays: Detect bacteria in environmental samples using fluorescence triggering to separate from inorganic particles.