Cell Biology

Scientists in blue lab coats and face masks are working in a row at laboratory benches, focusing on genetic toxicology. They use pipettes, containers, and other lab equipment under a sterile hood. The lab environment appears clean and organized.

Cell-Based Assays

Pharmaron’s cell-based assay services encompass the entire spectrum of cell biology—from standard IC50 doses to custom-tailored analyses of cellular responses to drug treatment. Our state-of-the-art technologies, including fully automated high-throughput screening via high-content imaging, push the boundaries of data-driven drug discovery.

Strategically co-located with our in vivo pharmacology, laboratory chemistry, and DMPK divisions, our cell-based assay services benefit from streamlined compound logistics, accelerating turnaround times, and DMTA cycles. For example, we execute routine cell-based assays within a 5-day turnaround from order to report.

Pharmaron’s cell-based assays vary in complexity according to project goals. We work with immortalized cell lines, disease-relevant primary cells, and advanced 3D models such as organoids derived from PDX tumors. These advanced cell biology readouts provide robust and clinically relevant findings.

Our unmatched expertise in cell-based assay services enables us to offer unparalleled functional assays and phenotypic screening with over 2,000 cell lines at our disposal:

Cell Models

  • Human cancer cell lines
  • Human normal cell lines
  • Rodent cancer cell lines
  • Organoids
  • Primary cells (whole blood, immune cells, microglia, etc.)
  • Drug-resistant cell lines
  • iPSCs (cardiomyocyte, neuron, etc.)
  • Engineered cell lines

Our cell line engineering department supports the development of cell-based assays.

The operetta high-content imaging system is used for cell biology services

Phenotypic Screening

  • Monolayer, 3D spheroid, organoid, co-culture cell-based assays
  • Primary cell and stem cell assays
  • High-content & real-time imaging
  • Cell Painting
  • Cellular disease models
    • Oncology
    • Neurology
    • Immunology
    • Metabolic Disorders
    • Cardiovascular Disorders
    • Fibrosis
Cell-based functional assays are performed with state-of-the-art instrumentation such as the SynchroPatch.

Cell-Based Functional Assays

  • Oxidative stress
  • Membrane potential, current, and field potential
  • Ion flux
  • Protein degradation
  • Post-translational modifications
  • Second messengers
  • Cell morphology
  • Cell activation and differentiation
  • Cell organelles
  • Cell metabolism
  • Cell migration
  • Protein location and translocation
  • DNA damage and repair
Mesoscale discovery is employed to study the mode of action after performing cell-based functional assays.

Mode of Action (MoA) Studies

Downstream Functional and Signaling Pathway Assays

Gloved hands handling an xMAP Technology automated maintenance plate used in biochemistry for high-throughput analysis.

Target Engagement

  • NanoBRET for multiple target classes
  • NanoBiT-based protein: protein interaction
  • Fluorescent probe-based high-content assay
  • Radioligand binding
  • Cellular thermal shift assay with various readouts
  • Flow cytometry
  • Mass spectrometry
Bioinformatics are required to analyze the complex data sets created when performing phenotypic screening.

Bioinformatics

  • Molecular docking
  • Genomics analysis
  • Proteomics analysis
  • Image analysis
  • Modeling and machine learning
  • Predictive metrics

View 5 Case Studies showing how Pharmaron uses High-Content Screening and Real-Time Imaging

A poster presentation titled "Illuminating Pathways in Drug Discovery." The poster includes text, graphs, and images related to drug discovery research, with a focus on Radiolabelled ADME. The backdrop features a geometric pattern, and the Pharmaron logo is at the bottom right corner.