Cell Line Development

Cell surface expression screening

Many proteins that express to the surface of cells are targets for the discovery and development of biopharmaceuticals. For instance, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of cell-surface proteins and are targets for almost 40% of existing drugs. Discovery and selection of high value clones with elevated cell surface expression of GPCRs from a transfected pool of cells can be challenging. The ClonePix 2 System represents an automated method of screening large populations of cells that increases the probability of finding rare high-affinity binder or high producer.

• Rapid automated selection of mammalian cell colonies by cell surface protein expression
• Rapid selection and development of GPCR expressing mammalian cell lines using novel ClonePix Technology
• Rapid and efficient selection of high producing mammalian cells secreting non-mAb proteins

Cell viability

Cell line development requires the discovery of single cell-derived clones that produce high and consistent levels of the target therapeutic protein. A critical first step in the process is the isolation of single, viable cells. Single cells proliferate to form colonies that can then be assessed for productivity of the target therapeutic protein. Viability and growth rates of single cell-derived clones can be characterized on the CloneSelect Imager and the SpectraMax i3x microplate reader and imaging cytometer.

• Confluence and growth curve generation on the CloneSelect Imager
• Measuring cell viability and cytotoxicity with the EarlyTox Cell Integrity Kit
• Luminescent cell viability and cytotoxicity assays
• Brochure: SpectraMax i3x

Clone productivity screening and titer

An important component in identifying high-value clones is determining productivity of single cell-derived colonies. Screening for productivity using traditional approaches is laborious and time consuming, generally consisting of a multistep process that involves isolating single cells from limiting dilution followed by assessment of titer using ELISA. The ClonePix 2 system combines phenotype selection, single-cell isolation and productivity screening into a single step, resulting in dramatically shorter screening times and increased number of candidates.

• Rapid Screening and Selection of Stable High Producing Clones
• Automated optimization of IgG production in CHO Cells
• Enhanced development of virus-specific hybridomas

Colony Picking

Colony picking is an essential step in biological research as scientists often need to isolate high-value clones in order to mass-produce DNA or proteins to be used in a variety of applications downstream. Traditionally, microbial colony picking is performed manually using sterile pipette tips or inoculation loops, which are usually slow, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. Mammalian colonies are typically selected with tedious processes like limiting dilution that can negatively affect cellular outgrowth. Not only do automated colony pickers make the entire process quicker, but the results are more consistent and repeatable.

Learn more about our automated colony pickers:

• The QPix® Microbial Colony Picker leverages best-in-class colony picking technology to alleviate bottlenecks and quickly, accurately, and efficiently screen through massive genetic libraries. Learn more 
• The ClonePix® 2 Mammalian Colony Picker is a fully automated system for selecting high-value clones used in antibody discovery and cell line development. Screen more clones in less time with monoclonal verification on day zero, then screen and identify for highest producers in weeks, not months. Learn more 

COVID-19 and Infectious Disease Research

Here we've addressed common applications in infectious disease research including cell line development, binding affinity, viral neutralization, viral titer and more with a focused effort on understanding the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to develop potential therapies for COVID-19 including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

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IgG Quantification

In therapeutic protein engineering and cell line development, IgG quantification is the process of measuring the amount of immunoglobulin G (IgG), a common class of therapeutic proteins, produced by a genetically modified cell line. This is important for evaluating and monitoring the productivity of the cell line and selecting the best candidate for further development of therapeutic antibodies.

• High-throughput IgG quantitation platform for clone screening during drug discovery and development

• Poster: High-throughput IgG quantitation platform for clone screening during drug discovery and development

• Qualitative measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid IgG antibodies in serum samples

• Virology and Vaccine Research: Microplate Reader Solutions

Monoclonality

Cell line development and assurance of monoclonality are critical steps in the process of generating biopharmaceutical molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies. A cell line can be established following the isolation of a single viable cell robustly expressing the protein of interest. A key milestone in this process is documenting evidence of clonality. Documentation of clonality is typically image-based, whereby an image of a single cell is produced and included in regulatory filings.

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Single-Cell Sorting

Cell line development requires the discovery of single cell-derived clones that produce high and consistent levels of the target therapeutic protein. The first step in the process is the isolation of single, viable cells. Limiting dilution is a technique that relies on statistical probability but is time consuming. The DispenCell™ Single-Cell Dispenser enables fast, easy, and gentle isolation of cells, as well as provides instantaneous proof of clonality and traceability post-cell dispensing.

• Brochure: DispenCell Single-Cell Dispenser