Embryonic stem cell models and systems biology
ProteoSys has long-standing expertise in embryonic stem cell models, taking full advantage of their characteristic properties: the unlimited self-renewal capacity and the specific
organotypic differentiation capability. In combination with quantitative differential proteomic display techniques and mass spectrometry tools the target spectrum of drugs, protein
interactions and post-translational protein modifications can be systematically profiled.
Efficacy and safety tests in vitro
- Incorporation into the drug discovery/development process
- Reproducible, robust and practicable
- Human predictivity
- Potential to reduce and replace in vivo tests
Biomarkers for embryotoxicity
- The discovery phase has been concluded, and novel, fast and intelligent in vitro test strategies for developmental toxicity are in development.
Due to the REACH legislation in Europe, not only pharmaceutical but also general industrial chemicals will be subject to stringent testing requirements for human safety assessment.
There is a broad understanding that current animal tests should be replaced by human in vitro systems in the future and that molecular pathways of toxicity should be considered
rather than "black box" end points from animal experiments. Central to this movement
[CAAT Europe] is the validation of in vitro systems like embryonic stem cell models for drug discovery and toxicology. Differential
proteomic profiling of such in vitro systems is offering a huge potential to clarify the molecular pathways of drugs and chemicals modes of action and their dynamic relationship
to "healthy" cellular signalling.