Viral Vaccine Development Gets Major Boost from xCELLigence RTCA
December 14 2017 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Using xCELLigence Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA), Sanofi Pasteur
scientists have developed an assay for accurate viral titer
determination that is 5-times less labor intensive and 3.5-times
cheaper than conventional methods
Accurate determination of viral titers is critical to vaccine
development. Historically, titers have been determined using
endpoint assays which are labor intensive, expensive, and time
consuming. This is increasingly problematic in modern production
facilities where bioprocess optimization is performed using
high-throughput cell culture reactors that can produce batches of
virus faster than they can be analyzed. Looking for a solution to
this bottleneck, Sanofi scientist David Gaillac and his coworkers
have just described a transformative new approach for viral titer
determination using xCELLigence RTCA instruments.
Being able to accurately determine the concentration of
infectious virus is essential not only for controlling vaccine
dosing in patients, but also for optimizing the virus production
process. As changes are made to the virus production protocol,
changes in infectious titer are used as the readout. Whereas
virus-infected cells within a cellular monolayer have traditionally
been identified and counted using microscopy, which is both tedious
and subjective, xCELLigence RTCA uses gold biosensors to
dynamically monitor changes in host cell number, morphology, and
cell-substrate attachment strength that occur as part of the virus
cytopathic effect. When compared side by side with a traditional
titer quantification assay, xCELLigence RTCA yielded results that
were essentially identical. Beyond the accuracy and reproducibility
of the automated and label-free xCELLigence RTCA assay, its
streamlined workflow and reduced costs are game changing. During
extensive optimization of a chimeric yellow fever dengue vaccine,
the authors found that when compared to a traditional titer
determination assay the xCELLigence RTCA approach “was 5-times less
labor-intensive (operator time) and cost 3.5-times less (including
operator time, reagents, consumables).”
On the basis of the above findings the authors reported having
made a major change in their workflow, stating, “The RTCA assay
presented here is now being used for titration of viruses to
support our bioprocess studies.” To view their complete comparative
analysis, which was just published in the Journal of Virological
Methods, click here.
About xCELLigence® RTCA
xCELLigence® Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA) instruments utilize
gold biosensors embedded in the bottom of microtiter wells to
non-invasively monitor the status of adherent cells using the
principle of cellular impedance. In short, cells act as insulators
– impeding the flow of a miniscule electric current between
electrodes. This impedance signal is measured automatically, at an
interval defined by the user, and provides an extremely sensitive
readout of cell number, cell size, cell-substrate attachment
strength, and cell invasion/migration. xCELLigence® RTCA
instruments are being used in both academia and industry for basic
and applied applications ranging from cancer immunotherapy and
cardiotoxicity to drug discovery and viral titer determination. To
date xCELLigence® has been used in more than 1,400 publications,
which can be viewed in a searchable library.
About ACEA Biosciences
Founded in 2002, ACEA Biosciences is a pioneer in the
development and commercialization of high performance, cutting-edge
cell analysis platforms for life science research. ACEA’s
xCELLigence® impedance-based, label-free, real-time cell analysis
instruments and NovoCyte® flow cytometer are used in pre-clinical
drug discovery and development, toxicology, safety pharmacology,
and basic academic research. More than 2,000 instruments have been
placed globally.
For more information visit http://www.aceabio.com.
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ACEA Biosciences, Inc.Dr. Jeff Xue, 1-858-724-0928,
x3075jxue(at)aceabio(dot)com