A high throughput capillary electrophoresis method to obtain pharmacokinetics and quality attributes of a therapeutic molecule in circulation

Photo-Induced Cross-Linking of Unmodified α-Synuclein Oligomers

Photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified proteins (PICUP) has been used in the past to study size distributions of protein assemblies. PICUP may, for example, overcome the significant experimental challenges related to the transient nature, heterogeneity, and low concentration of amyloid protein oligomers relative to monomeric and fibrillar species. In the current study, a reaction chamber was designed, produced, and used for PICUP reaction optimization in terms of reaction conditions and lighting time from ms to s. These efforts make the method more reproducible and accessible and enable the use of shorter reaction times compared to previous studies. We applied the optimized method to an α-synuclein aggregation time course to monitor the relative concentration and size distribution of oligomers over time. The data are compared to the time evolution of the fibril mass concentration, as monitored by thioflavin T fluorescence. At all time points, the smaller the oligomer, the higher its concentration observed after PICUP. Moreover, the total oligomer concentration is highest at short aggregation times, and the decline over time follows the disappearance of monomers. We can therefore conclude that these oligomers form from monomers.

Process analytics 4.0: A paradigm shift in rapid analytics for biologics development

Analytical testing of product quality attributes and process parameters during the biologics development (Process analytics) has been challenging due to the rapid growth of biomolecules with complex modalities to support unmet therapeutic needs. Thus, the expansion of the process analytics tool box for rapid analytics with the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and cyber-physical systems is a necessity. We introduce the term, Process Analytics 4.0; which entails not only technology aspects such as process analytical technology (PAT), assay automation, and high-throughput analytics, but also cyber-physical systems that enable data management, visualization, augmented reality, and internet of things (IoT) infrastructure for real time analytics in process development environment. This review is exclusively focused on dissecting high-level features of PAT, automation, and data management with some insights into the business aspects of implementing during process analytical testing in biologics process development. Significant technological and business advantages can be gained with the implementation of digitalization, automation, and real time testing. A systematic development and employment of PAT in process development workflows enable real time analytics for better process understanding, agility, and sustainability. Robotics and liquid handling workstations allow rapid assay and sample preparation automation to facilitate high-throughput testing of attributes and molecular properties which are otherwise challenging to monitor with PAT tools due to technological and business constraints. Cyber-physical systems for data management, visualization, and repository must be established as part of Process Analytics 4.0 framework. Furthermore, we review some of the challenges in implementing these technologies based on our expertise in process analytics for biopharmaceutical drug substance development.

Analytical Challenges Assessing Protein Aggregation and Fragmentation Under Physiologic Conditions

Therapeutic proteins are administered by injection or infusion. After administration, the physiologic environment in the desired body compartment - fluid or tissue - can impact protein stability and lead to changes in the safety and/or efficacy profile. For example, protein aggregation and fragmentation are critical quality attributes of the drug product and can occur after administration to patients. In this context, the in vivo stability of therapeutic proteins has gained increasing attention. However, in vivo protein aggregation and fragmentation are difficult to assess and have been rarely investigated. This mini-review summarizes analytical approaches to assess the stability of therapeutic proteins using simulated physiologic conditions. Furthermore, we discuss factors potentially causing in vivo protein aggregation, precipitation, and fragmentation in complex biological fluids. Different analytical approaches are evaluated with respect to their applicability and possible shortcomings when it comes to these degradation events in biological fluids. Tracking protein stability in biological fluids typically requires purifying or labeling the protein of interest to circumvent matrix interference of biological fluids. Improved analytical methods are strongly needed to gain knowledge on in vivo protein aggregation and fragmentation. In vitro models can support the selection of lead candidates and accelerate the pre-clinical development of therapeutic proteins.

Microfluidics as a Novel Tool for Biological and Toxicological Assays in Drug Discovery Processes: Focus on Microchip Electrophoresis

The last decades of biological, toxicological, and pharmacological research have deeply changed the way researchers select the most appropriate 'pre-clinical model'. The absence of relevant animal models for many human diseases, as well as the inaccurate prognosis coming from 'conventional' pre-clinical models, are among the major reasons of the failures observed in clinical trials. This evidence has pushed several research groups to move more often from a classic cellular or animal modeling approach to an alternative and broader vision that includes the involvement of microfluidic-based technologies. The use of microfluidic devices offers several benefits including fast analysis times, high sensitivity and reproducibility, the ability to quantitate multiple chemical species, and the simulation of cellular response mimicking the closest human in vivo milieu. Therefore, they represent a useful way to study drug-organ interactions and related safety and toxicity, and to model organ development and various pathologies 'in a dish'. The present review will address the applicability of microfluidic-based technologies in different systems (2D and 3D). We will focus our attention on applications of microchip electrophoresis (ME) to biological and toxicological studies as well as in drug discovery and development processes. These include high-throughput single-cell gene expression profiling, simultaneous determination of antioxidants and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, DNA analysis, and sensitive determination of neurotransmitters in biological fluids. We will discuss new data obtained by ME coupled to laser-induced fluorescence (ME-LIF) and electrochemical detection (ME-EC) regarding the production and degradation of nitric oxide, a fundamental signaling molecule regulating virtually every critical cellular function. Finally, the integration of microfluidics with recent innovative technologies-such as organoids, organ-on-chip, and 3D printing-for the design of new in vitro experimental devices will be presented with a specific attention to drug development applications. This 'composite' review highlights the potential impact of 2D and 3D microfluidic systems as a fast, inexpensive, and highly sensitive tool for high-throughput drug screening and preclinical toxicological studies.

Omomyc Reveals New Mechanisms To Inhibit the MYC Oncogene

The MYC oncogene is upregulated in human cancers by translocation, amplification, and mutation of cellular pathways that regulate Myc. Myc/Max heterodimers bind to E box sequences in the promoter regions of genes and activate transcription.

The MYC oncogene is upregulated in human cancers by translocation, amplification, and mutation of cellular pathways that regulate Myc. Myc/Max heterodimers bind to E box sequences in the promoter regions of genes and activate transcription. The MYC inhibitor Omomyc can reduce the ability of MYC to bind specific box sequences in promoters of MYC target genes by binding directly to E box sequences as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP). Here, we demonstrate by both a proximity ligation assay (PLA) and double chromatin immunoprecipitation (ReCHIP) that Omomyc preferentially binds to Max, not Myc, to mediate inhibition of MYC-mediated transcription by replacing MYC/MAX heterodimers with Omomyc/MAX heterodimers. The formation of Myc/Max and Omomyc/Max heterodimers occurs cotranslationally; Myc, Max, and Omomyc can interact with ribosomes and Max RNA under conditions in which ribosomes are intact. Taken together, our data suggest that the mechanism of action of Omomyc is to bind DNA as either a homodimer or a heterodimer with Max that is formed cotranslationally, revealing a novel mechanism to inhibit the MYC oncogene. We find that in vivo, Omomyc distributes quickly to kidneys and liver and has a short effective half-life in plasma, which could limit its use in vivo.

Present state of microchip electrophoresis: state of the art and routine applications

Microchip electrophoresis (MCE) was one of the earliest applications of the micro-total analysis system (μ-TAS) concept, whose aim is to reduce analysis time and reagent and sample consumption while increasing throughput and portability by miniaturizing analytical laboratory procedures onto a microfluidic chip. More than two decades on, electrophoresis remains the most common separation technique used in microfluidic applications. MCE-based instruments have had some commercial success and have found application in many disciplines. This review will consider the present state of MCE including recent advances in technology and both novel and routine applications in the laboratory. We will also attempt to assess the impact of MCE in the scientific community and its prospects for the future.