Shuichi Takayama, Ph.D., Sophie Paczesny, MD, Ph.D.
Third Year of funding – 2012 funding: $110,105; funding to date $382,963
PHASIQ, founded in 2012 based on a Coulter-funded technology, supplies immunoassay kits and custom assay development to research scientists investigating protein biomarker patterns for human health.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have become a widely used tool for the detection and quantification of various analytes for research and diagnostic use. Multiplex ELISAs in particular have gained popularity because they test multiple analytes in the same sample, saving both precious sample and labor. However, antibodies can cross-react, resulting in false data. Considerable effort goes into choosing antibodies according to specificity and lack of cross reactivity, often with imperfect results. Some panels of analytes simply can’t be tested together.
A technology out of Dr. Shu Takayama’s lab solves this problem by confining the complementary capture and detection antibodies into microdroplets within the sample well. The microdroplets are composed of dextran (DEX) and the sample is delivered in a solution of polyethylene glycol (PEG). This combination phase separates, keeping the drops intact throughout the experiment. Because antibodies prefer to remain in the DEX phase, this keeps potentially cross – reacting antibodies segregated and reduces the potential for false data. For the researcher, this means sensitive, interpretable, and reliable results about several biomarkers at once from their samples. PHASIQ hopes that their clear-cut and affordable multiplexing assays will provide answers consistent and robust enough for the clinic in the future. Coulter funded the development of this technology for three years.
Visit PHASIQ or email Tom Marten for more information.