Gentronix partnership improves genotoxicity

UK-based biotech company Gentronix is collaborating with cellular matrix specialist Abcellute on a programme to enhance its in vitro genotoxicity testing.

Abcellute's patented cell-stabilising technology allows the non-frozen preservation and transport of hepatocytes (liver-derived cells) without loss of viability or function. Gentronix has co-cultured Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) genotoxicity reporter cells with fresh hepatocytes, preserved in Abcellute's matrix, in the presence of test compounds.

Gentronix founder and chief scientific officer Professor Richard Walmsley, said: "We are extremely encouraged by our initial work which shows that the GreenScreen HC assay can be used to assess the genotoxicity of metabolites generated by either S9 liver extracts or non-frozen preserved primary hepatocytes provided by Abcellute. The predictable differences in metabolism provided by S9 extracts and hepatocytes are readily apparent from the results, and represent a refinement in the use of animal material. It is now conceivable that preserved human hepatocytes could be routinely used in pre-clinical safety assessment in drug discovery."

Dr Nathan Griffiths, Abcellute's chief scientific officer, said: "The results indicate the potential for our matrix in this exciting area. They match similar evaluations in our core preclinical market conducted by leading pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations and academic institutes in Europe, the USA and Japan."

Abcellute is based in Cardiff and Gentronix in Manchester.