Biological Sample Analysis

Our sample analysis team draws on years of experience to detect specific analytes in biological samples and provide you with the highest quality data for your project.

• Sample homogenization and purification
• Analyses performed using Cayman’s high-quality assays or other qualified commercially available assays
• Fit-for-purpose characterization
• Absorbance, fluorometric, and luminescent readouts
• Multiple assay formats including:
  • Immunoassays (ELISA)
  • Enzyme activity assays
  • Multiplexed cytokine detection
  • Biochemical assays
  • Inhibitor screening assays
• Custom assay development available

High-Throughput Screening

Our flexible formats and automated workflows allow us to provide robust data you can trust.

• Automated liquid and microplate handling (96- to 384-well capacity)
• Fluorometric, absorbance, luminescent, (H)TR-FRET, and Alpha readouts
• Enzymatic activity and inhibitor screening assays
• Cell-based assays and reporter assays
• Custom assay development available

Lipidomics

We utilize standardized bioanalytical methods and provide industry-leading expertise in lipid biosynthetic pathways to support biomarker discovery and validation.

• Untargeted analysis to identify relative changes in samples across lipid classes
• Targeted panels for quantitative analysis of eicosanoids, phospholipids, endocannabinoids, sphingolipids, SCFAs, and more

Immunology

Our immunology team applies experience in a wide range of areas to bring you solutions in immune-mediated disease and immuno-oncology applications.

Cellular Metabolism

Explore therapeutic avenues in various disease models using high-content imaging, enzymatic screening, and the Agilent Seahorse^TM XF platform.

• Mitochondrial biogenesis and function
• ROS generation and oxidative stress
• Immunometabolism studies
• High-content imaging
• Custom cellular models of disease

Proteomic & PTM Analysis

With support from our core facilities and through our partnership with MS Bioworks, we offer full-service targeted and untargeted conventional and mass spectrometry-based proteomics services from immunoprecipitation and other sample prep to data analysis.

• Immunoprecipitation and Western blot for analysis of binding partners
• Target deconvolution using tagged bait molecules for pulldown
• Analysis of post-translational modifications, including ubiquitination, citrullination, phosphorylation, and others

Custom Assay Development

Along with our extensive catalog of commercial assays, Cayman offers custom assay design, development, validation, and manufacturing. Supported by our core facilities, we can build robust quantitative assays on a variety of analysis and detection platforms to suit your specific target and application. We follow industry-standard best practices that are the foundation of decades of commercial assay kit development and manufacturing. Fit-for-purpose characterization ensures that your custom assay is well suited to meet your specific needs. We can also provide enhanced documentation to support technology and/or method transfer to CLIA/CAP certified diagnostic testing labs.

We can develop assays in all of the areas for which we perform sample analysis. Available formats for custom assays include, but are not limited to:

• Immunoassays (competitive and sandwich ELISAs)
• Enzyme activity assays
• Inhibitor screening assays
• Transcription factor assays
• TR-FRET assays
• Fluorescence polarization (FP) assays
• Cell-based assays
  • High-content imaging
  • Reporter assays
  • Calcium mobilization
  • Membrane potential
  • Flow cytometry
• Seahorse^TM XF assays
• Detection kits
• High-throughput assays

Our scientists have experience creating assays for viability, immunology (including cytokine release), cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, GPCR signaling, nuclear receptor and transcription factor activation, transporter and ion channel function, and more.

Contact us to learn more about our capabilities and available platforms and discuss how Cayman can help meet your assay development needs.

Antibody Services

• Monoclonal or polyclonal antibody production using protein, peptide, or small molecule immunogens with custom conjugation
• Epitope-directed PTM-specific antibody development
• Recombinant antibody production
• Bulk production and purification
• Antibody conjugation to a label or tag of choice
• Antibody characterization (antibody pair optimization, epitope mapping, affinity assessment by SPR)
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) antibody testing against FFPE samples with histology sectioning capabilities on a wide range of tissue types
• Antibody-coupled resin and sorbent development for immunoprecipitation

Protein Production

• Protein production and characterization
• Bacterial, insect, and mammalian expression systems
• Large-scale protein expression, including shake flask and fermenter capabilities
• Biocatalyst development and target optimization in conjunction with Cayman’s Chemistry Services

Cell & Molecular Biology

• Expression and reporter construct design and assembly
• Cell culture, including expansion and banking, in our fully equipped BSL2 facility
• Multiple transient transfection platforms available (LNP, lentiviral transduction, reverse transfection, and large-scale flow electroporation)
• Enrichment of selected stable cell pools or development of stable cell clones using the Namocell Pala Single Cell Dispenser
• Cell treatment, sample preparation, cell-based assays, and high-content imaging
• Stable Isotope Labeling with Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC)
• DNA/RNA extraction and sequence analysis
• RNAi knockdown and qRT-PCR analysis