Tools for Problem Solving

Expertise

Capitalising on the many decades of academic and industrial experience of its founders Dr Cliff Elcombe and Prof. Roland Wolf, the company combines scientific excellence with effective project management to deliver cost effective solutions. A key part of the success of CXR Biosciences in problem solving is it’s multi-disciplinary team, combining extensive expertise in a range of conventional techniques and cutting edge technologies. The judicious use of appropriate tools and techniques maximises the chance of successfully elucidating toxic mechanisms.

Toxicology and molecular biology

In addition to the standard toxicokinetic and toxicology studies that are performed routinely at CXR Biosciences, an experienced team of molecular biologists is used to develop new assays or models where required. This approach can, for example, include the cloning of rodent and human receptors to compare species differences or the development of an assay to demonstrate the mechanism of toxicity of a chemical.

Transcription profiling

Transcription profiling involves the measurement of changes in global gene expression that occur as a result of a toxic insult. This is particularly useful when the mechanism(s) of toxicity are unknown. Using gene-chip microarrays and sophisticated bioinformatic analysis software, CXR Biosciences uses this technology to generate biologically relevant hypotheses for mechanisms of toxicity. Applied in this focused and thoughtful manner transcriptional profiling provides a powerful approach towards elucidating and understanding toxic mechanisms.CXR Biosciences has recently being accredited as an ‘Agilent Service Provider’. This is an independent measure of the high standard of CXR Biosciences expertise and quality in transcriptional profiling. Agilent, a leading worldwide supplier of microarray technology, has only awarded accreditation to 2 other companies worldwide who have demonstrated the ability to consistently deliver optimal performance of Agilent’s microarray system.

Rapid in vitro and in vivo toxicity screens

CXR Biosciences has developed revolutionary systems for the rapid assessment of potential mechanisms of toxicity. Bioinformatic searching has been used to identify a series of genes that are activated in response to toxic agents. The promoters of these genes have been linked to proprietary reporters, to provide rapid in vitro and in vivo methods for the assessment of candidate compounds. CXR Biosciences can also develop customised reporter systems that measure changes in the transcriptional regulation of any gene of interest, which can be applied to specific toxicological issues.