25 Drug Discovery, Pharmaceuticals & Cannabis Testing Novel reagents drive breakthroughs in Parkinson’s
and sleep disorder research In a recent blog post, AMSBIO sheds light on the ground-breaking strides achieved in Parkinson’s disease research, hypersomnia studies, and eco- friendly microbial ester production facilitated by their innovative BioPORTER®, Detachin™, and SoluLyse™ reagents. These reagents play a pivotal role in elevating research efficiency, precision, and reproducibility.
potential therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease. The utilisation of the BioPORTER® protein delivery reagent kit enabled seamless transduction of α-syn preformed fibrils to HEK293T cells, unravelling the relationship between α-syn aggregation and PFFNB2. BioPORTER® utilises biocompatible polymers to encapsulate and shield proteins during delivery, ensuring stability and activity for more accurate and reproducible outcomes.
A collaborative initiative led by Dr Wenjing Wang at the University of Michigan and Dr Xiaobo Mao of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has propelled significant advancements in
Optimised reagents for automated qPCR workfl ows
In response to the increasing demand for stable reagents in automated qPCR workflows, Thermo Fisher Scientific introduces the Applied Biosystems™ TaqPath™ DuraPlex™ 1-Step RT-qPCR Master Mix. Unlike conventional mixes, this innovative solution maintains peak performance at room temperature for over 8 hours, offering labs greater flexibility in incorporating 1-Step RT-qPCR into their automated processes.
Tailored for biopharma and clinical diagnostics labs, the TaqPath DuraPlex Master Mix provides a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible method for high-throughput molecular diagnostics and bioprocess quality control assays. Its benchtop-stable, single-tube design is optimised for detecting virus and bacterial pathogens, even in the presence of challenging PCR inhibitors. Labs can confidently automate their 1-Step RT-qPCR workflows without compromising sensitivity, specificity, or reproducibility, with the added capability to multiplex up to 6 targets in a single reaction.
Dr Andrew Jenkins and his team at the University of Saint Joseph are trailblazers in repurposing compounds to address sleep disorders, particularly hypersomnia. Employing Detachin™ Cell Detachment Solution, the researchers prepared cells for electrophysiological analysis, ensuring high cell viability and functionality through a reliable detachment process. This step is crucial in cell culture experiments, and Detachin™ minimises the risk of altered cell behaviour.
Microbial production of short-chain esters presents an eco-friendly alternative to chemical synthesis, yet challenges in low yields persist. Dr Arul M. Varman at Arizona State University and Dr Ryan Davis from Sandia National Laboratories harnessed the SoluLyse™ Bacterial Protein Extraction Reagent to streamline and expedite the extraction of high-quality protein from E. coli. This efficient formulation ensures optimal cell lysis without compromising protein integrity, addressing the challenge of low yields in microbial ester production.
Dr Maja Petkovic, Business Unit Manager at AMSBIO, emphasised the transformative impact of these reagents, stating: “Replacing basic life science reagents with products like BioPORTER®, Detachin™, and SoluLyse™ can lead to significant improvements in your research outcomes, offering enhanced performance and convenience for more reliable and reproducible results.”
Read the full blog post for comprehensive insights. For further details on innovative products for cellular and microbial research, contact AMSBIO or visit their website.
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Enhancing pharmaceutical safety: Microcrystalline
cellulose with ultra-low nitrite concentration Asahi Kasei is advancing pharmaceutical safety by presenting Ceolus™ microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with nitrite levels reduced to 0.1 μg/g (ppm) or less. This initiative aims to contribute to minimising the potential risk of carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements.
In response to the detection of potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals in 2018, there has been a global increase in awareness regarding the health risks associated with nitrosamine. Aligning with guidelines from authoritative bodies such
as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the pharmaceutical industry has been actively investigating and addressing the factors contributing to nitrosamine impurities. Nitrosation, a reaction involving secondary or tertiary amines with nitrites during or post the drug manufacturing process, is identified as a key risk factor. Reducing nitrite concentrations in pharmaceutical raw materials stands out as a crucial strategy for mitigating the risk of nitrosamine formation.
Ceolus™, Asahi Kasei’s MCC produced in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan since 1970, primarily serves as an excipient in pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and foods. Recognised for its application as a tablet binder, especially in high-performance formulations, Ceolus™ contributes to overcoming tableting challenges and creating distinctive and patient-friendly dosage forms. Asahi Kasei has succeeded in maintaining the nitrite concentration in various grades of Ceolus™ at 0.1 ppm or less, underscoring its commitment to delivering safer pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements.
Hideyuki Kimura, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei’s Healthcare Materials Division overseeing Ceolus™, emphasised: “Controlling the nitrite concentration in our products is an important step to ensure the provision of safer pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. We will continue to work on further improvements and emphasise the importance of reducing the risk of nitrosamine impurities.”
Additionally, in January 2024, Asahi Kasei commenced full commercial operations of its second Ceolus™ manufacturing facility at Mizushima Works in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. This strategic move not only increases supply capacity but also enhances supply chain stability through dual-site production.
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Alison Todd, Chief Scientific Officer & Founder of SpeeDx Pty Ltd, expressed satisfaction with the product’s performance, noting significant improvements in inhibitor tolerance and in-channel multiplexing, especially at low copy numbers.
The 1-Step RT-qPCR Master Mix from Thermo Fisher Scientific presents several advantages for laboratories. It boasts improved handling with lower viscosity and flexible characteristics for ease of use and storage, enhancing automation performance and compatibility. Moreover, the master mix instills confidence by demonstrating high tolerance to qPCR inhibitors, such as VTM, stool, blood, and urine, ensuring reliable assay performance even with challenging sample types. To guarantee reproducibility, the product is manufactured in an ISO 13485-certified and FDA-registered facility, with all lots undergoing functional testing for consistent and reliable performance.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/JRKd 62021pr@reply-direct.com
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