Biomarker analysis during the discovery phase is important for evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of therapeutic molecules in preclinical model systems. They may be a sign of normal or diseased processes in vivo. Biomarkers can be specific cells, small molecules, or genes, gene products, proteins (enzymes) or peptides (hormones). Like non-regulated bioanalysis, our focus on targeted protein biomarker analysis is based on both of ELISA and mass spectrometry-based technologies. We collaborate with the clients to provide fit-to-purpose solutions to meet the requirements for assay performance and timeline. We also provide service for small molecule biomarker analysis which can be found here. 

One important challenge to be addressed for protein  biomarker analysis is the sensitivity and the matrix effect. The concentration of cytokines to be measured in serum/tissue samples can be as low as ~1 pg/mL. One of our highlighted assay to address the sensitivity issue is the dual-IP nanoLC-SRM-MS assay. Briefly, the workflow involves offline enrichment of analyte using a capture antibody coupled with magnetic beads, trypsin digestion, online enrichment of specific tryptic peptides using anti-peptide antibodies and quantification using nanoflow LC coupled with Thermo TSQ Quantiva triple quadruple MS.

We also provide services for proteomics-based biomarker discovery or mass spectrometry–based identification of MHC-bound peptides for immunopeptidomics, please contact us for details.