Recent Citations for FLICA Assay Kits

Our FLICA Assay Kits continue to be cited in various journals. Here is a selection of citations from last month.

Bakr A, Oing C, Köcher S, Borgmann K, Dornreiter I, Peterson C, Dikomey E, Mansour WY. March 2015. "Involvement of ATM in homologous recombination after end resection and RAD51 nucleofilament formation." Nucl. Acids Res. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkv160. [Full Text]

Colin DJ, Hain KO, Allan LA, Clarke PR. March 2015. "Cellular responses to a prolonged delay in mitosis are determined by a DNA damage response controlled by Bcl-2 family proteins." Open Biol. doi: 10.1098/rsob.140156. [Full Text]

Larena M, Holmgren J, Lebens M, Terrinoni M, Lundgren A. March 2015. "Cholera Toxin, and the Related Nontoxic Adjuvants mmCT and dmLT, Promote Human Th17 Responses via Cyclic AMP-Protein Kinase A and Inflammasome-Dependent IL-1 Signaling." J. Immunol. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1401633. [Abstract]

Products Used:

• FAM FLICA Poly Caspase Assay Kit (ICT# 91, 92)
• FAM FLICA Caspase 3 & 7 Assay Kit (ICT# 93, 94)
• FAM FLICA Caspase-1 Assay Kit (ICT# 97, 98)

Recent Customer Citations Using Magic Red Assay Kits

Our Magic Red products were recently cited in several publications.

Liu Y, Palanivel R, Rai E, Park M, Gabor TV, Scheid MP, Xu A, Sweeney G. January 2015. Adiponectin Stimulates Autophagy and Reduces Oxidative Stress to Enhance Insulin Sensitivity During High-Fat Diet Feeding in Mice. Diabetes. doi:10.2337/dlb14-0267. [Abstract]

Deffit SN, Blum JS. February 2015. Macronutrient Deprivation Modulates Antigen Trafficking and Immune Recognition through HSC70 Accessibility. J. Immunol. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1402472. [Abstract]

Weikel KA, Cacicedo JM, Ruderman NB, Ido Y. February 2015. Glucose and Palmitate uncouple AMPK from autophagy in human aortic endothelial cells. Am. J. Cell. Physiol-Cell CP. doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00265.2014 [Full Text]

Products Used:

• Magic Red Cathepsin B Assay Kit (ICT# 937, 938)
• Magic Red Cathepsin L Assay Kit (ICT# 941, 942)

January 2015 Citations for FLICA Assay Kits

Two new citations using our FLICA Assay kits were published this month.
Identification of Aim2 as a Sensor for DNA Vaccines. J. Immunol. vol 194 no. 2 630-636. [Abstract]

"Samples were then stained with a caspase-1 FAM/FLICA kit according to the manufacturers [sic] instructions (ImmunoChemistry Technologies, Bloomington, MN)."

 Paster, W, Bruger, AM, Katsch, K, Gregoire, C, Roncagalli, R, Fu, G, Gascoigne, NRJ, Nika, K, Cohnen, A, Feller, SM, Simister, PC, Molder, KC, Cordoba, SP, Dushek, O, Malissen, B, Acuto, O. (2015). A THEMIS:SHP1 complex promotes T-cell survival. EMBO Journal 10.15252/embj.201387725[Full Text]

"A FAM‐FLICA detection probe was used to assess poly‐caspase activity by flow cytometry."

Products Used:

• FAM-FLICA Caspase 1 Assay Kit (ICT#97, 98)
• FAM-FLICA Poly-Caspase Assay Kit (ICT#91, 92)

Recent Customer Citations for Magic Red Cathepsin B Assay Kits

Li, K, Yang, L, Zhang, C, Niu, Y, Wei, L, Liu, J. (2014). HPS6 interacts with dynactin p150Glued to mediate retrograde trafficking and maturation of lysosomes. J. Cell Sci. 127, 4574-4588. [Abstract]

"we incubated cells with Magic Red cathepsin B (MR catB), a membrane permeable probe that fluoresces..."

Bain, JM, Louw, J, Lewis, LE, Okai, B, Walls, CA, Ballou, ER, Walker, LA, Reid, D, Munro, CA, Brown, AJP, Brown, GD, Gow, NAR, Erwig, LP. (2014). Candida albicans Hypha Formation and Mannan Masking of β-Glucan Inhibit Macrophage Phagosome Maturation. mBio. vol. 5 no. 6 e01874-14. [Full Text]

Abstract:

Candida albicans is a major life-threatening human fungal pathogen in the immunocompromised host. Host defense against systemic Candida infection relies heavily on the capacity of professional phagocytes of the innate immune system to ingest and destroy fungal cells. A number of pathogens, including C. albicans, have evolved mechanisms that attenuate the efficiency of phagosome-mediated inactivation, promoting their survival and replication within the host. Here we visualize host-pathogen interactions using live-cell imaging and show that viable, but not heat- or UV-killed C. albicans cells profoundly delay phagosome maturation in macrophage cell lines and primary macrophages. The ability of C. albicans to delay phagosome maturation is dependent on cell wall composition and fungal morphology. Loss of cell wall O-mannan is associated with enhanced acquisition of phagosome maturation markers, distinct changes in Rab GTPase acquisition by the maturing phagosome, impaired hyphal growth within macrophage phagosomes, profound changes in macrophage actin dynamics, and ultimately a reduced ability of fungal cells to escape from macrophage phagosomes. The loss of cell wall O-mannan leads to exposure of β-glucan in the inner cell wall, facilitating recognition by Dectin-1, which is associated with enhanced phagosome maturation.

Products Used:

• Magic Red Cathepsin B Assay Kit (ICT# 937, 938)

September Publications Citing FLICA® 660 Caspase Assays for Apoptosis Detection

Saunders, AE, Shim, YA, Johnson, P. (2014). Innate Immune Cell CD45 Regulates Lymphopenia-Induced T Cell Proliferation. J. Immunol. 193(6). 2831-2842. [Abstract]

"...The presence of active caspase-3 and -7 was assessed using FLICA 660 assay kit (Immunochemistry Technologies) in accordance with the manufacturers {sic} instructions..."

Samejima, K, Ogawa, H, Ageichik, AV, Peterson, KL, Kaufmann, SH, Kanemaki, MT, Earnshaw, WC. (2014). Auxin-induced Rapid Degradation of Inhibitor of Caspase-activated DNase (ICAD) Induces Apoptotic DNA Fragmentation, Caspase Activation, and Cell Death. J. Biol. Chem. 289, 31617-31623. [Abstract]

“…Caspase activation was analyzed using the FLICA 660 in vitro poly caspase detection kit (ImmunoChemistry Technologies LLC) following the manufacturer’s instructions…”

Products Cited:
FLICA 660 Caspase 3/7 Kit (ICT# 9125)
FLICA 660 Poly Caspase Assay Kit (ICT# 9120)

Recent Customer Citations Using FLICA® Caspase-1 Assay Kits

Recently, our customers have published two research articles using our FLICA® Kits to detect caspase-1 activity.

The first article, authored by researchers at the Utrecht University Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, studied the pathogen that causes foodborne disease.

Recent Customer Publication Using FLICA Assays

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and  Schepens Eye Research Institute recently published a study using several of our FLICA apoptosis assays to detect caspase activity in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Kim LA., Amarnani D, Gnanaguru G, Tsen WA, Vavvas DG, and D'Amore PA. (2014.) Tamoxifen Toxicity in Cultured Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Is Mediated by Concurrent Regulated Cell Death Mechanisms. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 55(8), 4747-4758. [Abstract]

"Caspase activity was evaluated by caspase-1, -3, -8, and -9 specific inhibition... Caspase activity was verified with the fluorochrome-labeled inhibitor of caspases (FLICA) probe specific for each caspase."

ICT Owners Complete ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Lee and Hed douse themselves in ice water to bring awareness to ALS and medical research, challenge industry colleagues

August 27, 2014 - BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Challenge accepted! Dr. Brian Lee and Ms. Sally Hed, co-owners of ImmunoChemistry Technologies, were nominated to complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. They accepted the challenge on this sunny day in August and made a donation to the ALS Association.

Screening Imidazolium-based Compounds for Cancer-Fighting Effects

Congratulations to our customers at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research and the Universidad Metropolitana School of Environmental Affairs for publishing their recent study of the effects of imidazolium-based compounds on 60 human cancer cell lines in the September 2014 issue of MedChemComm.

To assess potential toxicity of the compounds, they measured apoptosis via caspase activation using our FLICA® (Fluorescent Labeled Inhibitors of Caspases) probes that bind covalently with active caspase effector enzymes.

Animal-Free Recombinant Proteins Now Available

ICT has introduced over 200 animal-free recombinant proteins for use as ELISA standards and in other research and development applications.

• Produced in yeast
• Naturally endotoxin-free
• Convenient 5 microgram size

• Species:
  

  Bovine	Catfish	Dolphin	Feline	Human	Ovine	Swine
  Canine	Chicken	Equine	Guinea Pig	Mouse	Rabbit	Turkey

• Available proteins:
  
  

  APRIL	CCL5	IFN beta	IL-2	IL-13	IL-22	TNFSF15
  CCL11	CXCL9	IFN gamma	IL-4	IL-15	IL-23A	VEGF-A
  CCL2	CXCL10	IGF-1	IL-5	IL-16	IL-24
  CCL20	CXCL11	IGF-2	IL-6	IL-17A	MIF
  CCL3	GM-CSF	IL-1 alpha	IL-8	IL-17F	SCF
  CCL3L1	IFN alpha	IL-1 beta	IL-10	IL-18	TNF alpha
  CCL4	IFN alpha 1	IL-1F5	IL-12 p40	IL-21	TNFSF13

See all Recombinant Proteins


The immunology-related recombinant proteins are natural complements to ICT's suite of ELISA Solutions™ protein-stabilizing reagents for immunoassay development. ICT offers a large portfolio of tools to improve and enhance an ELISA, including Blocking Buffers, Wash Buffers, Plate Coating Buffers, Conjugate Stabilizers, Sample Diluents, Substrates, Stop Solutions, ELISA Plates and Accessories, and ELISA/assay development services. View the complete portfolio at http://www.immunochemistry.com/products/elisa-solutions.html.

Contact us with any questions: 1-800-829-3194; sales{at} immunochemistry.com.

Bright Minds, Bright Solutions. ImmunoChemistry Technologies’ mission is to advance scientific discovery by developing innovative products for apoptosis detection, cellular analysis, and immunoassay development.

ICT Introduces Two New HRP Conjugate Stabilizer Formulations

Conjugate stabilizers prolong the shelf-life of conjugated antibodies and other proteins, enhancing their utility in ELISA and Western applications.

HRP (horseradish peroxidase) Conjugate Stabilizer formulations are used to dilute, store, and reconstitute HRP-conjugated antibodies while preserving native protein configuration and activity. This stabilization maintains the signal-generating capabilities of HRP-conjugated antibodies during storage, inhibits nonspecific binding, and minimizes background signal. The two newest HRP conjugate stabilizers join ICT's other protein-stabilizing reagents in the range of ELISA Solutions™ to optimize assay development.

UCSF Scientists Develop Cell Reprogramming Technique to Generate Hepatocytes for Therapeutic Use

Regenerative Medicine Research News:

The liver possesses some capacity to regenerate or heal itself after injury. When the liver is damaged beyond this capacity, a whole-liver transplant is the preferred treatment of many medical professionals, but the demand for donor livers far exceeds supply. Thus, scientists are developing regenerative medicine therapies to treat damaged livers.

Human hepatocytes have been generated in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), but these cells do not adequately proliferate and function after transplantation into mouse models of liver damage for therapeutic success.

In a study published in Nature Feb 23, 2014, UCSF scientists describe how they developed an induced multipotent progenitor cell (iMPC) reprogramming technique to differentiate

ICT INTRODUCES TWO NEW ELISA BLOCKING BUFFER FORMULATIONS

Proper blocking of the unoccupied areas of ELISA plate wells is paramount to reducing immunoassay background noise and attaining an accurate test result. Two new blocking buffer formulations from ImmunoChemistry Technologies offer additional choices to researchers working to optimize their ELISAs.

Monster Block is a new, non-mammalian blocking buffer
formulation designed to reduce nonspecific binding in
all ELISA formats.

Alternative Block ELISA Blocking Buffer is a new all-synthetic ELISA blocking buffer free of proteins and detergents.

Monster Block Blocking Buffer is a new ELISA blocking buffer utilizing a heterogenous mixture of non-mammalian blocking agents with high blocking strength.

ICT's ELISA Blocking Buffer formulations reduce nonspecific binding of sample and assay components to the ELISA well while stabilizing the coated protein. Six formulations offer benefits to different assay situations:

General Blocker Blocking Buffer		BSA-Based
Neptune Block Blocking Buffer		Non-Mammalian
Monster Block Blocking Buffer		Non-Mammalian
SynBlock Block Blocking Buffer		Synthetic
Phosph-Free Block Blocking Buffer		Synthetic
Alternative Block Blocking Buffer		Synthetic

For economical evaluation of many formulations, ICT offers a Blocking Buffer Optimization Pack (BBOP), which allows researchers to try three different formulations at a reduced rate. Read more about all ELISA Blocking Buffers on Immunochemistry.com: http://www.immunochemistry.com/products/elisa-solutions-1/blocking-buffers.html

ICT offers a large portfolio of tools to improve and enhance ELISA performance, including Blocking Buffers, Wash Buffers, Plate Coating Buffers, Conjugate Stabilizers, Sample Diluents, Substrates, Stop Solutions, and ELISA Plates and Accessories. View our complete portfolio:
ELISA Solutions, Blocking Buffers, and More

Bright Minds, Bright Solutions. ImmunoChemistry Technologies’ mission is to advance scientific discovery by developing innovative products for apoptosis detection, cellular analysis, and immunoassay development.

Press Release, Dec 03, 2013: ImmunoChemistry Technologies Changes Ownership

Release Date: 
December 03, 2013 (All day)
For immediate release

ImmunoChemistry Technologies Changes Ownership

Biomedical laboratory developing proprietary and patented reagents for cancer research is now majority women-owned.

Sally Hed, ImmunoChemistry
Technologies VP of Marketing
and Operations

Minneapolis, MN - December 03, 2013 - ImmunoChemistry Technologies (ICT), a Minnesota-based biotechnology company that supplies unique biochemical laboratory reagents and assay tests to medical researchers, has changed ownership. Now majority women-owned, ICT develops new products to help researchers discover new treatments and drugs for cancer and other diseases affecting both animals and humans.

The privately held company is now majority owned by Sally Hed, VP of Marketing and Operations, and Carol Lee, secretary and board member. Dr. Brian W. Lee, Ph.D., president and co-founder, owns one-third of the company and is in charge of ICT’s research and development. ICT has consistently achieved double-digit growth thanks to a solid customer base with an international distributor network serving labs all over the world.

"Someday, doctors will be able to tell if the treatment is working within a matter of hours because they’ll be able to see on a molecular level how many cancer cells are dying in response to treatment," said Sally Hed, VP of Marketing and Operations.

First FLICA 660 Caspase-1 Assay Citations

THP-1 cells with activated caspase-1 enzyme (ICE) emit far-red
fluorescence after staining with FLICA 660 Caspase-1 Assay

Recent peer-reviewed articles in Journal of Hepatology and Journal of Leukocyte Biology validate the use of the new FLICA® 660 Caspase-1 Assay Kit for caspase-1 detection.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation results in hepatocyte pyroptosis, liver inflammation and fibrosis

Win a $100 Product Credit Towards Apoptosis Assays and ELISA Solutions!

We're excited about our new tools for life science research, so we're having a Facebook drawing to award $100 product credits!

The product credit will be valid towards the purchase of any standard catalog item available through www.immunochemistry.com/products, including all of our new products.

Recent Publications Using FLICA Assays

Our FLICA® fluorescent caspase assays continue to be routinely referenced in customers' publications. Here are just a couple that have been released in recent weeks:
Apoptosis-Associated Speck-like Protein Containing a Caspase Recruitment Domain Inflammasomes Mediate IL-1β Response and Host Resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi Infection.Silva GK, Costa RS, Silveira TN, Caetano BC, Horta CV, Gutierrez FR, Guedes PM, Andrade WA, De Niz M, Gazzinelli RT, Zamboni DS, Silva JS. J Immunol. (2013). [Abstract]

CELL-ebrate our 19th Anniversary with us

We're 19 on September 19th!

To celebrate another year of developing and supplying tools to the global biomedical research community, we are offering 19% off purchases of standard catalog items with the code NINETEEN from September 19-30.

ICT Sponsoring 2013 Triangle Biotech Research Symposium

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (August 15, 2013) - ImmunoChemistry Technologies, LLC has announced their sponsorship of the BioPharma Research Council 2013 Triangle Biotech Research Symposium, scheduled for August 20, 2013 in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Tuesday, Aug. 20 
9 AM - 5 PM 
North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBC)
15 T W Alexander Dr
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709

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