NCTR, Division of Systems Biology

The Division of Systems Biology focuses on the development and evaluation of new technologies and the identification of new biomarkers (disease indicators) to support the FDA's mission. The division's mission is to address problems of food, drug, and medical-product safety using systems biology approaches and innovative technology that include computational modeling and impactful clinical translation of the data.

Equipment:

• Agilent Seahorse XFe96 - measures the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of live cells in a 96-well plate format
• Protein Simple—Wes - Simple Western size-based assays: Immunoassay and Total Protein assay
• Protein Simple—Ella - Automated immunoassay testing within a microfluidic Simple Plex™ cartridge
• Axion Maestro Pro - Multiwell microelectrode array (MEA)
• Agilent ePacer - Easy and effective way to measure cardiomyocyte function in 6 x 96-well plate format
• BioTek Cytation 5 Cell Imaging Multimode Reader – Combines automated microscopy and conventional microplate detection in a single instrument
• MESO QuickPlex SQ 120MM – Rapid, sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of multiple proteins such as cytokines in a single sample
• Bruker ScimaX FTMS  - high resolution mass spectrometer used for sample tissue imaging based on chemical composition
• Bruker 600 MHz NMR - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer system used for determining chemical composition of biofluids and tissue extracts
• Thermo Orbitap Elite MS with Waters nanoflow UPLC - Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry system used for analysis of proteins and peptides in tissues and biofluids
• Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240 Mass Spectrometer - Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry system used for studying drug metabolism, and metabolite/lipid composition of biofluids and tissue extracts
• Waters TQ-XS MS - Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry instrument for determining drug and metabolite composition of biofluids and tissue extracts
• ImageXpress Micro Confocal – High-throughput system capable of acquiring both widefield and confocal images of whole organisms and cellular or intracellular events
• Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) to provide spatial analysis of analytes including lipids, neurotransmitters, etc.
• Liver-on-a-chip technology (Emulate Organ-on-a-Chip System and Lena Biosciences Liver-Chip System) for drug induced liver injury (DILI) and drug metabolism assessment

All potential use of NCTR equipment must be aligned with NCTR’s mission and may require a technology transfer agreement:

NCTR conducts scientific research to generate data for FDA decision making, and develops and supports innovative tools and approaches that FDA uses to protect and promote individual and public health.