NeuroValida specializes in using adult human brain tissue microarray to validate CNS drug targets. We offer tailored human brain tissue microarray services including case selection, tissue microarray construction, immunohistochemistry and other assays, image processing and data analysis. We perform all aspects of data interpretation, MetaMorph® journal development and write comprehensive reports describing the findings from the arrays.
We offer extensive services for clients and collaborators who wish to engage our CNS drug discovery services, which utilizes our unique adult human brain tissue microarray platform and other extensive capabilities (see Neuroscience services).
We can localise the target of interest at the anatomical, cellular and sub-cellular level in normal and diseased human brain cores from varied brain regions. Thus, we can validate the drug target in terms of expression levels, map its anatomical localisation in the human brain and determine the cellular type(s) (eg: neurons, astrocytes, pericytes, oligodendrocytes, etc) expressing the target.
We have pre-made tissue microarrays for several brain disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Motor neurone disease with control cores for each array. Specifically, we have a pre-made tissue microarray containing the middle temporal gyrus from 29 neurologically normal controls and 29 Alzheimer’s disease donors arrayed on 1 slide. We can also construct customised tissue microarrays per client’s requirement. We use immunohistochemical localisation with target-specific antibodies on arrays, followed by image acquisition and analysis. Antibody specificity can be assessed using blocking peptides, if available, as well as western blotting on human brain tissue. Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction services for mRNA target validation in human brain are also available if requested to further validate the client’s drug target. In most cases, we provide high resolution digitized images of the drug target in human brain and a detailed report of our analysis by scientists from the research team.
We have vast expertise in in vitro human brain cell models (Park et al Nature Protocols, 17:190-221, 2022) aligned with strong molecular pharmacology capabilities (Smyth et al, Commun Biol. 2022;5(1):235; Jansson et al, Commun Biol. 2021;4:260) to undertake drug mode of action studies.
In addition to the more specialised services above, we also offer neuroscience services through a research programme which can include polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, mass-spectrometry, multiplex immunohistochemistry and histochemistry. We will be happy to discuss your needs and provide customised solutions for projects requiring a broad scope of techniques.
Scientists- During drug discovery and development, scientists engaged in animal research can benefit from NeuroValida by early drug target in human brain for go – no go assessment.
Early-stage start-ups - Information regarding drug target validation in human brain tissue and/or efficacy/mode of action data on human brain cells would enhance drug portfolios for early-stage start-ups.
Researchers - NeuroValida can benefit researchers by providing a broad neuroscience input on their projects. Human brain data would greatly enhance the impact of animal-based studies for academic researchers, thereby increasing the chances of publication in high impact factor journals.
AI companies - Companies engaged in generative AI for drug target identification would enhance their portfolio with validation of targets in human brain.
Investors - Investors can benefit from NeuroValida by early risk assessment of a CNS portfolio including early drug target validation in human brain tissue and/or mode of action data on human brain cells.
Ultimately drug target validation studies on the human brain and/or efficacy/mode of action studies using human brain cells will help the clinical translation process.
