Using a powerful analytical technique known as INTiDYN ChemoMorphic Analysis (ITD-CMA), INTiDYN evaluates tissue samples from animals or humans to create a morphological, biochemical, and genomic snapshot of normal conditions to compare with disease, or drug/toxin impacts on complex tissues. Interpretation of these analyses yields critical information about tissue transformations and molecular/cellular interactions, as well as the effects on the various functional systems integrated within a complex tissue (ie, cardiovascular, nervous, immune, endocrine), and every study is fully customized to the needs of our clients to ensure optimal results. An example of CMA technology for skin tissue biopsy utilization is provided below.

 

Initdyn Process Diagram

 

A Clinical assessment and skin biopsy

Clinical assessment performed, followed by the collection of 3 mm skin biopsies which are immediately immersion fixed or flash frozen.

B Sectioning and sequential distribution

Biopsies are cut into sections and sequentially mounted onto a series of slides so that each slide contains sections throughout the entire biopsy. Individual slides are then utilized for immunochemistry or additional processing, like laser capture microdissection and/or nucleic acid analysis.

C Multimolecular immunolabeling

Individual slides are processed for immunofluorescent detection of protein expression using a variety of antibody combinations.

D Qualitative and quantitative microscopic analysis

Immunolabeled slides are evaluated under epifluorescence wide-field and/or confocal microscopy. Individual tissue compartments undergo qualitative assessments and quantitative biomarker measures.

E Laser capture microdissection

Flash frozen sections are collected on slides for laser capture microdissection (LCM) of individual skin compartments, such as epidermis. Compartment specific etchings from sections throughout the biopsy are pooled for nucleic acid extraction.

F Nucleic acid extraction and functional genomic assays

Total genomic DNA (gDNA), micro RNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA) are recovered for array analysis or quantitative PCR (qPCR).

G Data compilation and analysis

INTiDYN scientists utilize all levels of data generated within the scope of a project (clinical, cellular/molecular, genetic) to determine:

  • Potential disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets
  • Efficacy and/or off-target toxicity of potential therapeutics
  • Impacts of normal demographic variables such as gender, race, and age on disease mechanisms and potential therapeutics

Research and Development

INTiDYN serves as a valuable research partner for all phases of drug development by analyzing tissue structure and chemistry to address questions that are ambiguous under traditional approaches.

See our approach to R&D