Accelerate your drug discovery research for neurological disorders, including pain

Panel of models with increasing complexity and translational relevance

• Ion channel cell lines for both central and peripheral nervous system targets 
• Primary neuronal cultures, such as dissociated cortical, trigeminal or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from rodents  
• CNS drug discovery: Understanding the effects of test compounds on brain slice tissue
• Human iPSC-derived neurons 

Range of assay methodologies

Heterologous cell lines and integrative assays

Screening of your compounds in a neuroscience setting is primarily driven by the fact that they have been designed to modulate CNS or peripheral nervous system targets and signalling pathways, including but not limited to ion channels. Our neuroscience experts can carry out this screening using heterologous cell lines expressing human or rodent neuronal proteins, as well as offering more integrative assays employing rodent and human cell lines or in acutely cultured native cells from the rodent peripheral and central nervous system.

Selectivity and safety profiling of lead compounds and IND candidates

Get insight to selectivity and safety profiling of lead compounds and IND candidates, either as part of an existing screening cascade or because in vivo testing revealed a neurological signal. We have have developed and validated an industry-standard rat cortical CNS neuron assay that can reliably detect the seizure-inducing liability of a wide range of reference compounds (as well as serve as a model to profile anti-epileptic drugs). We also offer have deep expertise with rodent dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons which can be used to assess peripheral neurotoxicity.

Neuroscience screening and toxicity testing reaches the ultimate translational step when it is carried out in human iPSC-derived neurons, and primary cell cultures. The use of differentiated human stem cell-derived neurons also allows the creation of patient-derived and disease-specific translational assays, opening the door onto one of the more exciting aspects of modern drug discovery.

Studying ion channels on the lysosomal membrane

Technologies we use for neuroscience assays

• QPatch and Qube automated electrophysiology
• Gold standard manual patch clamp electrophysiology
• Plate-based multi-electrode array techniques
• Plate-based and single cell imaging

Neuroscience resources