Instruments

NanoInk Custom Services

NanoInk extracts multiplexed proteomic data from just 2 µl of sample

NanoInk proteomic assay contract research organization

Proteomic Assay Services

Drawing on its expertise in nanoscale protein array fabrication and protein analysis, NanoInk’s contract research organization provides a comprehensive line of services for a wide range of proteins. Each contract research service project begins with the client specifying their proteins of interest. NanoInk’s dedicated contract research team then works in close consultation with the customer to design and print ideally-patterned nanoscale protein arrays (with up to 96 different proteins) on a modified glass substrate. NanoInk develops the optimal assay conditions and protocols for the client’s proprietary set of arrays. If the client prefers to conduct their own screening and discovery assays, NanoInk will deliver the custom protein arrays and optimized protocols to them for subsequent screening in the client’s own laboratory. For those clients that wish to have NanoInk conduct the on-array assays, NanoInk processes the client’s samples using the custom protocols, analyzes the resultant data, prepares a comprehensive report containing image files and raw data, and rapidly delivers this report to the client.

Features and Benefits

Usable proteomic data from rare and hard-to-collect samples: NanoInk can extract multiplexed protein information from just 2 µl of sample
Low abundance protein biomarker detection: the NanoInk contract research team achieves up to single femtogram/ml assay sensitivity
Multiplex, high throughput analysis on a single slide: nanoarray slides can accommodate up to 96 sub-arrays with as many as 48 features per sub-array and both nanoarray and sample slides are compatible with most lab automation systems

Services Offered

Complete custom assay development and analysis
Protein profiling
Custom protein array printing
Technology transfer

Live Single Cell Assay Services

At the heart of NanoInk’s live single cell array assay services program is the DPN line of nanofabrication instruments that can construct multiplexed patterns of biocompatible materials at sub-cellular scales. NanoInk harnesses these capabilities to fabricate defined microenvironments for which to attach live single cells and subsequently investigate cellular responses. Up to 5,000 individual cells on a single NanoInk chip can be exposed to different external stimuli (including biological, chemical and topographical stimuli) and the downstream effects can be monitored at the cellular, proteomic or genomic levels. The ability to pattern hundreds of different conditions in a small culture area enables the statistically significant study of limited or rare cells. For example, various combinations or concentrations of drugs can be delivered to patient-harvested cells to help develop theranostics. DPN-generated microenvironment arrays can also be used to characterize stem cell or primary cell populations and to investigate underlying mechanisms of cell behavior like cell motility, cancer cell invasion and cell adhesion.

Features and Benefits

Custom protein nanoarray slide with 96 sub-arrays and 48 features per sub-array

Controlled cell microenvironment: NanoInk fabricates patterns consisting of sub-cellular features and defined geometries

Minimal experimental variability: the NanoInk platform can analyze multiple experimental conditions on one slide in one cell culture step
Conservation of samples and reagents: compared to conventional assay platforms, DPN uses fewer cells, less drug, and less media
More data from fewer cells: NanoInk can expose rare and primary cells to many conditions over small cell culture areas

Services Offered

The NanoInk contract research team fabricates defined cell microenvironment arrays for use in many applications, including:

Theranostic development: based on targeted delivery of drugs to cells for cytotoxicity (LD50) or drug effectiveness (IC50) studies
Cell characterization: including stem cells, primary cells or cell line
Cancer cell invasion assessment: using custom microenvironment arrays of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins with MatrigelTM or other basement membrane materials
Cell motility studies: leveraging ECM proteins patterned in controlled shapes and sizes
Cell adhesion studies: using a variety of different DPN-deposited ECM proteins

Single fibroblasts in DPN-defined microenvironments

Other Services

In addition to the proteomic assay and live single cell assay services described above, NanoInk partners with clients to conduct completely customizable contract research projects such as proof-of-concept studies and collaborative research programs.

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