Collaborative Research and Services

Unique Technology Platform for Protein
Biomarker Discovery and Quantitation

Download a written summary describing our services. The written summary also shows an example of a recent study.

Tissue proteomics requires a unique blend of competencies, from pathology, histology and cell biology to mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. With our expertise, we can offer comprehensive biomarker discovery and validation services, as well as absolute quantitation of protein biomarkers in tissue. Let us help you with your projects from tissue sourcing and selection, through sample processing, analysis and bioinformatics.

Expression Pathology’s proprietary Liquid Tissue® sample processing and Director™ laser microdissection technologies make possible —for the first time—mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue.

Countless collections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue constitute a rich untapped source of protein information. Annotated with detailed clinical outcome data, such as disease progression, drug response and toxicity, they offer enormous potential for discovery and analysis of protein biomarkers and drug targets.

Tissue Sourcing

Many organizations have their own tissue collections, but even the best collections can lack a particular type of sample to ensure that a study is representative and complete. We can procure tissue samples that may be required for a study, to complement an existing collection, or for an independent study.

DIRECTOR™ Slide Laser Microdissection

Good data requires analysis of the proper cells. In tissue proteomics that means focusing on only the specific cells of interest. DIRECTOR™ slides and the Leica LMD6000™ microdissection system quickly and precisely harvest sufficient target cells from even the most difficult and dispersed tissue features.

Liquid Tissue® Sample Processing

The Liquid Tissue® MS Protein Prep Kit provides a high throughput, reproducible process for preparing FFPE tissue for microproteomic mass spectrometry analysis. Our sample preparation protocols use very small amounts of starting material.

• Requires only 30,000 cells, the equivalent of an area 2 mm x 4 mm from a 10 µm thick tissue section.

• Enables analysis of microdissected cellular features and conserves rare and precious tissue samples.

• Fully solubilizes all of the tissue sample, capturing the entire protein content for mass spectrometry.

Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Through our alliances with leaders in proteomic mass spectrometry, we provide a full range of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry capabilities.

• Global proteomic profiling using LC-MS/MS to identify novel, differentially expressing candidate biomarkers

• Protein Quantitation: When antibodies fail, or the precision and accuracy of immunohistochemistry is insufficient, we develop and validate protocols for absolute quantitation of proteins in FFPE tissue using Single Reaction or Multiple Reaction Monitoring (SRM/MRM) assays.

NextGen Sciences is a highly qualified mass spec CRO with experience generating excellent LC MS/MS results with Liquid Tissue preps in FFPE tissue. Inquire for details as we are continuously improving our methods and expanding our network of collaborators.

Bioinformatics Analysis

With our bioinformatics analysis capability we sort through and organize large sets of data. EPI’s data processing resources allow us to select the most relevant differentially expressing proteins.

Mass spectrometry data is analyzed to investigate the nature and types of proteins found and to search for protein differences and commonalities between the tissue samples, and identify candidate protein biomarkers.

Project Proposals and Collaborations

Every project is unique. Contact us to discuss how we can help in areas that complement your own internal needs, resources and expertise.

All tissue analysis projects are developed in collaboration with the principal investigators and customized to meet the specific needs of a study. Contact us to discuss your project.

We reserve the right to continuously improve the methods used.