The Immuno/BioSpot Core specializes in assays related to the detection, quantification, and qualification of biological spot assays and single-cell related analyses, including ELISPOT, colony counting, plaque assays, FluoroSpot, cell viability tests, apoptosis tests, in vivo/in vitro cytotoxicity measurements using cells labeled with fluorescent dyes, histochemistry stains, genotoxicity assays, multi-color intracellular/surface quantification, etc.
The Core’s latest specialization adds systems for analysis of multiple proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids in a single well as suspended in a variety of solution types (blood, media, tears, urine, milk) with the addition of a Luminex-based multiplexing array and assay-related support facilities and equipment alongside regulatory compliant software and validation tools for reliable and high-throughput multiplex assay results.
Operating Policies
Once the workscope is determined, the investigator contacts the Core manager, Brent Gordon, who is responsible for all Immuno, BioSpot, and Bio-Plex acquisitions, analyses, materials, and equipment. Brent Gordon can help with study implementation, and schedule time and location to meet the investigator for assay consultation, data acquisition, assay analysis, or material provisions. With two distinct campus locations (Factor 12-541 and 188F BSRB), each featuring different analyzers, accessibility is not a problem. Mr. Gordon may be contacted at both locations from the same phone number and e-mail, and requests 24hr advanced notice to schedule or alter an appointment time to help ensure testing is performed in a timely manner. Dr. Uittenbogaart will assist, as requested, in data interpretation during the project and at the end of the studies.
Quality Control
Quality Control for the Immuno/BioSpot core is a particular strength. Possessing the very latest and most sophisticated software, the analysis programs utilize advanced algorithms to assess the entire plate and identify trends in spot intensity, morphology, and size among assigned assay groups, accounting for the variation inherent in distinct experimental groups, yet reducing post-analytic, subjective, user alteration throughout Quality Control. Following analysis, variations inconsistent with plate trends are tagged in Quality Control, requesting verification or signaling the necessity to alter counting parameters to retain valuable or unexpected data. Each alteration from the original counting parameters is recorded in the analysis data file and annotated. All altered counting parameters that fall out of the statistical bounds established in the initial assay analysis are also flagged. The software is compliant with 21 CFR part 11 and GLP regulations. Long term project and analysis trends can also be quantified and observed utilizing the SpotMap software. Finally, the Core Manager has extensive, ongoing experience in assay evaluation and image analysis to help the investigator reduce inaccurate data reporting.
The Core’s various multiplex software suites combine multiple instrument runs to efficiently analyze multiplex data trends in an investigators biological system. The Core offers the latest and most acclaimed multiplex database applications to effortlessly organize large volumes of data and combine xMAP result files into manageable projects and reports.
Labeled samples can be adjusted and amended with all biologically relevant information for quick data set comparisons, creating error-free custom tables of any size for further processing in standard spreadsheets and statistical software. Calculations can be automated to promote rapid project results in a finished state with little input and negligible need to perform extensive data auditing.
These data management suites permit effortless and accurate automated calculations to test new hypotheses and adjust for new insights and observed trends with GLP compliance. The Core’s multiplex software suites offer tools to import and modify proprietary files into universal statistical data and options to rapidly present results in a manner relevant to research and instantly update graphs with modified comparisons when alternate or novel analysis options and data are applied. Graphs and unique spreadsheets can be designed in real time without repetitive copy and paste to Excel. Additionally the multiplex software suites are compliant with 21 CFR part 11 and GLP regulations.