Online monitoring of metabolism and morphology of peptide-treated neuroblastoma cancer cells and keratinocytes.

Antimicrobial peptides are promising anti-cancer agents with a unique mode of action. We established the usage of a chip-based sensor to monitor the dynamic interplay between cells on the chip and peptides and compared it with endpoint tests. Human neuroblastoma cancer cells and spontaneously immortalized non-cancer keratinocytes were perfused with representative peptides (NK-2, NK11, and melittin).

In vitro system for the prediction of hepatotoxic effects in primary hepatocytes.

Prediction of liver toxicity and compound responses continues to be a major challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. In vitro studies on liver cells have been developed to reduce or replace animal experiments. However, most of the tests in use are based on cell lines which do not necessarily represent normal cell physiology.

Online monitoring of cell metabolism for studying pharmacodynamic effects.

To characterize modes of action of substances and their cytotoxic effects Bionas GmbH has developed a new screening system to allow the continuous recording of how an active substance can act (Bionas 2500 analyzing system). In the pharmaceutical industry it is important to acquire as much information as possible about the metabolic effects of an active substance. Most classical pre-clinical studies are very expensive and time-consuming.

The neuronal 5-HT3 receptor network after 20 years of research--evolving concepts in management of pain and inflammation.

The 5-HT3 receptor is a pentameric ligand-gated cation channel which is found in the central and peripheral nervous system and on extraneuronal locations like lymphocytes, monocytes and fetal tissue. Five monomer subtypes, the 5-HT(3A-E) subunits, have been identified which show differences in the amino-terminal and the transmembrane region. The functional relevance of different receptor compositions is not yet clarified.