Advances in technology over the past decade have enabled the acquisition of a wealth of information contributing to understanding the genome. These techniques primarily involved the study of mRNA expression.

mRNA undergoes a number of alternative processing steps prior to and following translation. There is often poor correlation between mRNA and protein expression, so this has driven development of platform technologies that enable measurement of biologically-relevant changes in expression at the protein level. Proteins are more complex and better reflect biological functions than mRNA as proteins are also modified by environment factors.

Antibody arrays enable researchers to directly compare the expression levels of hundreds to thousands of target proteins from a variety of cell or tissue extracts in half a day; to characterize pathways or to identify biomarkers.

The main reasons for using protein array technology are:
A single microarray slide can accommodate up to >8000 individual proteins that can be screened in a single experiment against a variety of molecules. Because assay time is short and only very small samples are required, a wealth of information can be generated extremely quickly without a significant investment in capital equipment. In addition, protein array platform technology can address protein interactions with a variety of molecules (proteins, lipids, sugars, DNA, RNA, antibodies, small molecules, etc.), which is something that no other single technology platform can accomplish.

Protein and antibody biochips represent today a cutting-edge and powerful technology for high throughput analysis and their easy handling allow them to be considered as an excellent screening tool for basic science research and drug discovery and development

Sensitivity is a function of:
For example by using a biotinylated probe, detection signals are significantly over background when spots contain less than 1 pg (or an equivalent solution concentration of less than 1 ng/ul) of protein.

The experiment provides a semi-quantitative analysis; however, we can include a standard curve based on a dilution series to enable real quantification.
Antibody arrays are specific for a qualitative measurement of protein expression in tissue or cell extracts. By determining relative changes in protein expression, it is possible to compare a "reference" sample to a "test" sample and establish a ratio rendering it qualitative.

It is recommended to use traditional protein quantification techniques, such as ELISA, to validate data obtained from antibody arrays.

Our protein biochips are designed for research purposes only.
A research application is not intended for clinical diagnostic purposes.

Biosystems International can work with diferent types of samples :

You can analyze as many samples as you wish.
The number of slides used depends on the microarray format: from 1 to 14 pads per slides are commercially available, meaning that you are able to analyze up to 14 different samples in one experiment or multiple replicates.

Contact us to obtain more information.

Biosystems International can work with at least:

Usually, we keep samples for up to 6 months, but longer with client permission.
Biosystems International can return all samples upon request.

Contact us for more information.

Biosystems International highly recommends to conduct experiments on 3 or more replicates.
If you wish to compare samples groups (e.g.: control versus test), it is recommended to have consistent biological samples and ideally group size able to facilitated meaningful statistical analysis.

Most of proteins and antibodies are commercially available. Manufacturers attempt to verify antigen recognition for their antibodies.
In addition to that, Biosystems International can check this specificity in the presence of unsurpassed antigenic diversity and deliver a much higher level of confidence that your antibodies will perform the task envisaged without the risk of wasting valuable time and energy in the laboratory.
Proteins / antibody arrays reflect admirably performance in Western blot and ELISA. They also offer a highly parallelized approach for assessing antibody specificity / selectivity for histochemistry so as to ensure that a positive signal can be interpreted with confidence, i.e. that the correct antigen is being detected (and not another unintended target).

Each protein / antibody array includes its own internal controls, for example: housekeeping proteins for normalization, labeled proteins for spotting, BSA for non-specific background.

Contact us to obtain more information.

A project manager is specifically dedicated to your biochips project from the first contact (experiment characterization and sample receipt) to the delivery of your results (final report and after sale service).It means that you can contact your project manager at every step of the procedure.
Biosystems International has implemented ISO 9001:2000 certification which ensures that Quality Management procedures will always meet customer expectation.

Thus, the traceability of your biological samples as well as all related analytical data are guaranteed throughout.

Antibody arrays:
Protein arrays:

For the detection of positive protein interactions the microarray is scanned using a suitable fluorescent microarray scanner. We use an Innoscan Scanner 700.
The scanner specifications can be found on this link:
http://www.innopsys.fr/pdf/InnoScan_Microarray_Scanners_FR.pdf

The GenePix array list file is a text file essential for data acquisition by the scanner software and defines spot locations and identities of all protein spots on the array.
In addition, this file is necessary for creating a grid for data analysis.

Data are presented in a final scientific report in Word format, and Excel files containing charts and figures.

First, Biosystems International sends your report by protected email then Biosystems International sends you a CD/DVD containing all data: raw and processed, pictures, charts and analysis report.
These elements allow you to reprocess data directly from raw or modified data sets.
In France the CD/DVD is sent by registered post with recorded delivery and in the rest of the world via express delivery.

Biosystems International sends each file as encrypted data protected by a password. The password is given to you over the telephone.
We can implement any additional security measures as a function of client requests.

Contact us if you require more information.

- 4-6 weeks, depending on the complexity of experiments, or number of samples with commercial microarrays.
- 7-8 weeks for custom microarrays. To obtain more information visit our FAQ for tailored antibody arrays
The bulk of this guaranteed delivery period is dedicated to data analysis and report synthesis.

Samples: Arrays:

Of course, Biosystems International sends it to you on simple demand.
You can recover unused samples employed to generate bespoke / tailored antibody or antigen arrays.

Yes, in case of any enquiries or if you need technical assistance please send an email or call directly the Engineer responsible of your project (each project as a unique project Engineer in charge of the entire experiment and the final report).

After you receive results, Biosystems International will send you an invoice. This invoice must be paid within 30 days by cheque or bank transfer.

Contact us if you require more information.

Consequence is penalty payment: The penalty payments are 1%00 per month after the contracted delay.

The price depends of number of samples, type of microarray, complexity of analysis.
Please do not hesitate to ask us for a free quote by telephone or email.