Profile

In the discovery cycle, for the predictions of the effects that a drug will display, measurement of its specific functional response induced in a biological system ‘a bioassay’ is required. A bioassay is thus an essential tool for research and development. Bioassays based on the in vitro responses of enzymes or stable cell lines are commonly the assay systems of choice for this purpose. These bio-assays are rapid, reproducible, economical, sample hungry. We have standardized and routinely perform more than 125 in-vitro assays relevant to the selection and optimization of new drug candidates using specialized assay technologies based on different detection modes like Absorbance (colorimetric, ELISA), Luminescence, and Fluorescence (Fluorescence Intensity, Fluorescence Polarization, Time-Resolved Fluorescence, etc) in 96 and 384 well formats.

Mandate

The simple, rapid, and cost-effective nature of bioassays facilitates the screening of a large number of samples. Plants effective in in-vitro assays are developed into prototypes, which ultimately get tested in in-vivo assays. Apart from new product development, bio-assays can be effectively be used for screening campaigns, bio-activity guided fractionation, compatibility studies, and stability studies.

Areas of competence
  • Development of in-vitro pharmacological methods for drug evaluation.
  • Biological standardization of herbal products.
  • Application of bioassay methods to stability testing and testing combinational effect of herbal extracts.