Scientists poised to unlock their understanding of autophagy with new antibody-based insights

  • Improved understanding could influence future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
  • World’s leading methods journal documents use of key antibody, developed as part of Abcam – University of Ottawa collaboration.

25 November 2019, Cambridge, UK – Abcam is excited to announce its involvement in a ground-breaking methodology paper published today in Nature Methods, describing a new technique that promises to significantly advance our understanding of autophagy – cells’ “waste management system.”

As part of a long-standing collaboration between senior author Ryan Charles Russell at the University of Ottawa and Abcam, a highly-sensitive RabMAb™ rabbit monoclonal has been developed with the ability to detect a vital step in the “autophagosome” formation process, the phosphorylation of protein ATG16L1. Autophagy facilitates cells’ removal of old and dysfunctional components as well as those that might be harmful. This process has been implicated in a number of chronic, life-threatening diseases including neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

In the Nature Methods paper, the team at the University of Ottawa describe a method whereby the phosphorylated version of protein ATG16L1 can be detected by Abcam’s RabMAb antibody (ab195242) through important protein assays such as Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Phospho-ATG16L1 levels measured using the antibody directly corresponded to the rate of autophagy in the studied cells, meaning that this is also a sensitive tool for studying the rate of induction of new, active autophagosomes.

The RabMAb platform combines the unique properties of the rabbit immune system with Abcam’s antibody platforms to generate recombinant rabbit monoclonals with particularly high affinity and specificity. The recombinant antibody format delivers significantly higher reproducibility and enhanced batch to batch consistency.

Full details can be found in the paper:  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-019-0661-y

Learn about RabMAb recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibodies here.

Read about Abcam’s Custom Solutions offering here.

Engineered knockout cell lysates for reproducible proteomic analysis

Cambridge, UK, 7th November 2019 – Abcam’s new engineered knockout cell lysates enable proteomic studies by providing researchers with “true negative” controls.

Acquiring reliable off-the-shelf knockout mouse models or cell lines that match specific experimental requirements can be challenging, and often need to be sourced directly from individual researchers or labs. Abcam’s newly-launched collection addresses this issue by providing access to over 2,800 diploid KO cell lysates, the largest selection currently available to researchers.

The lysates are useful for studies requiring loss-of-function phenotypes at the proteomic level as well as routine applications such as Western blotting and mass spectroscopy. They also can be used to support antibody and target validation. The use of diploid cells makes the lysates well suited to the more complex studies often carried out in cancer research.

Derived from commonly used immortalized cell lines, KO lysates have been engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 and are accompanied by Sanger sequencing and Western blotting validation data. Corresponding wild-type controls are also provided so that the biological impact of each KO lysate can easily be assessed within a consistent cellular background.

Abcam’s KO cell lysates deliver:

  • Access to thousands of CRISPR-Cas9-engineered KO cell lysates of interest, without needing to generate or purchase a KO cell line, saving on average 4–12 weeks’ work in the lab
  • Minimal preparation required
  • Diploid KO lysates derived from commonly used cell lines including HeLa, HEK293T, A549, HCT116, Hep G2 and MCF

Abcam Enters Cell Editing Market Through Acquisition of EdiGene’s Knockout Cell Lines and Lysates Portfolio

  • Largest off-the-shelf diploid KO library, over 2,800 cell lines

Cambridge, UK and Beijing, CN: 16 July, 2019 – Abcam plc, a global innovator in life science reagents and tools, is today pleased to announce the acquisition of the entire live cell line and lysates portfolio of EdiGene Inc, a leading company focused on developing genome editing technologies into novel therapeutics for a broad range of diseases and into creative solutions to advance drug discovery.

Using their proprietary high throughput cell editing platform, EdiGene developed the industry’s largest off-the shelf diploid library of over 2,800 single clonal knockout (KO) cell lines targeting over 2,600 genes in commonly used human cancer cell lines (including HeLa, HEK293-T, A549, HCT116, Hep G2 and MCF7).

Ready-made diploid KO cell lines are an important tool for antibody validation. They also play a significant role in the study and understanding of biological pathways and disease models and can be used in screening and cellular assays. EdiGene’s cell lines and lysates are used by top academic researchers, global biopharmaceutical companies, and leading antibody companies.

Commenting on the acquisition, Cheri Walker, SVP of Corporate Development at Abcam, said: : “We are excited to be able to bring the same level of industry-leading quality and data to the cell lines market as we have to research antibodies. The cell line market is in the early stages of development as a research tool, where the provision of more choice, with the right gene targets in the right cell lines, will allow the market to rapidly expand.”

Dong Wei, CEO of EdiGene, commented: “Following our strategic decision to focus on advancing our pipeline of biotherapeutic products and high throughput genome screening services, we are pleased to be transitioning our complete cell line portfolio to the team at Abcam. As recognized industry leaders in the provision of biologic reagents and tools, we are confident Abcam will be able to provide expert support to our global user-base.”

The lysate range is expected to be available through the Abcam website in early Q4 2019, with the expanded cell line offering following throughout 2020. In addition, these products will be used to support further knockout antibody validation, an integral part of Abcam’s on-going antibody quality initiative.

About Abcam plc

As a global life sciences company, Abcam identifies, develops, and distributes high-quality biological reagents and tools that are crucial to research, drug discovery and diagnostics. Working across the industry, the Company supports life scientists to achieve their mission, faster.

Abcam partners with life science organizations to co-create novel binders for use in drug discovery, in vitro diagnostics and therapeutics, driven by the Company’s proprietary discovery platforms and world-leading, antibody expertise.

By constantly innovating its binders and assays, Abcam is helping advance the global understanding of biology and causes of disease, which enables new treatments and improved health. The Company’s pioneering data-sharing approach gives scientists increased confidence in their results by providing validation, user comments and peer-reviewed citations for its 110,000 products.

With eleven sites globally, many of Abcam’s 1,100 strong team are located in the world’s leading life science research hubs, complementing a global network of services and support.

To find out more, please visit www.abcam.com and www.abcamplc.com.

About EdiGene Inc

EdiGene Inc was founded in 2015, and is now headquartered in Beijing, with operational subsidiaries in Guangzhou, China and Cambridge, USA. EdiGene’s mission is to translate the cutting-edge genome editing technologies into novel therapeutics for genetic diseases and cancer, and into creative solutions to advance drug discovery. Edigene leverages proprietary platforms to develop gene-editing therapies for a wide range of diseases, and to conduct high-throughput genome screening to enable dissection of functional big data in biological contexts.

More information can be found at www.EdiGene.com

Contacts

Media:
Dr Lynne Trowbridge
Vice President, External Communications
T: +44 7815 167026
E: Lynne.Trowbridge@abcam.com

New tissue clearing kits and reagents for faster, accurate 3D imaging

Abcam’s tissue clearing kits and reagents enable easy and rapid clearing for 3D imaging of tissues and cell culture models.

Traditionally, 3D imaging of thick tissue sections and 3D cell culture models (organoids, microtissues, spheroids) has presented many technical challenges, including laborious and time-consuming tissue processing, layer-by-layer 2D imaging of thin sections and in silico 3D reconstruction. By contrast, tissue clearing reagents can expedite detailed 3D imaging by reducing the need for these steps, while providing a truer reflection of biological structures.

Developed with Visikol’s HISTO™ technology, Abcam’s tissue clearing kits use simple protocols, standard laboratory equipment, and are compatible with immunostaining, fluorescent protein and chemical dyes. Clearing is also reversible, for conventional H&E or IHC staining following 3D imaging.

To facilitate the set-up and use of Abcam’s tissue clearing kits, a selection of recombinant antibodies for key markers (Neun, S100 and Iba1) have been validated for use with the kits. Tissue clearing reagents can be purchased as part of a kit or as individual products , for greater flexibility.

Find out more at: www.abcam.com/tissueclearing

NanoString and Abcam Enter Commercial Partnership to Provide Expanded Menu of Antibodies for GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler

  • Abcam to Develop Conjugated FFPE IHC Validated Antibodies Compatible with the GeoMx DSP

Seattle and Cambridge, UK, 1 April, 2019 — NanoString Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSTG), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, today announced a commercial agreement with Abcam plc (AIM:ABC), a global innovator in life science reagents and tools, for the manufacture and sale of antibodies specifically for use with NanoString’s new GeoMx™ Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP).

“Researchers using our GeoMx DSP platform often want to customize their analysis. We have partnered with Abcam to facilitate access to their broad portfolio of high quality, validated antibodies to augment our off-the-shelf GeoMx Protein Panels. Abcam’s proven track record of antibody quality and performance was a key consideration in ensuring the success of our customer’s spatial profiling research”, said Brad Gray, president and CEO of NanoString.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abcam will leverage its collection of over 6,000 recombinant monoclonal antibodies, validated for use with IHC in either fresh frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, to create bespoke antibody content for NanoString’s GeoMx DSP platform. This will enable GeoMx DSP users to more rapidly dissect and explore cellular interactions at a local level and facilitate discovery of novel biology.

“We are excited to be partnering with NanoString to support the GeoMx DSP users’ ground-breaking research. Our recombinant monoclonal antibodies help ensure robust and quantitative spatial protein analysis of even the most challenging samples and may ultimately accelerate vital biomarker discoveries”, said John Baker, SVP of Product Portfolio and Innovation at Abcam.

Abcam will manufacture and sell GeoMx-formatted antibodies through its catalog and website directly to GeoMx DSP users.

Abcam collaborates with Visikol to develop new tools for improved tissue clearing and 3D imaging

New Jersey, USA and Cambridge, UK – 25 March 2019: Abcam, a global innovator in life science reagents and tools, and Visikol, a contract research organisation focused on advancing drug discovery, have announced a collaboration to develop new reagents and kits for improved tissue clearing and 3D imaging.

Tissue clearing methods, which are essential to get a better view of complex structures such as the brain and nervous system, have advanced the understanding of neuroscience. These methods are also being rapidly adopted into the drug discovery and safety toxicology fields, where it’s vitally important to characterise 3D cell culture models in their entirety.

Dr. Tom Villani, Chief Scientific Officer, Visikol, commented: “Despite being an established technique, challenges such as antibody optimisation and labelling remain as tissue clearing requires the combination of several highly complex disciplines. This collaboration addresses the industry need for improved tools to undertake rapid tissue clearing and 3D imaging that generates high-quality data.”

Michael Chipchase, Senior Product Manager, Kits and Assays, Abcam, commented: “Collaboration with industry partners is part of Abcam’s strategy to provide scientists with the tools they need. By combining our expertise in antibody development and validation with Visikol’s expertise in tissue clearing, we can advance understanding of important biological processes to support the future development of critical diagnostics and therapeutics.”

Find out more at: www.abcam.com/tissueclearing

Abcam wins the UK-China Business award

China represents an important market for us and we are thrilled to announce that Abcam has been chosen as the winner of the Cambridge Business Weekly UK-China Business Award.

This new award category, which acknowledges the most effective ambassador for UK/China trade and trust over the last 12 months, has been jointly promoted by the Cambridge China Centre and Business Weekly. The award marks a significantly growing and increasingly dynamic trade profile between Cambridge and China.

China is looking to become a world powerhouse in scientific and technological innovation by 2050. The amount of life science research conducted in China has significantly expanded in recent years. Prominent Cambridge-based companies have made great strides in breaking down barriers and forging new alliances. We are proud Abcam has been unanimously chosen as the winner for our efforts and we plan to continue to understand this developing market, so we can support the advancement of biological discovery.

Abcam serves this expanding market by providing expertise and troubleshooting the needs of local researchers. The size of our China team has grown to over 300 employees, five times the number we had in 2014, with the expansion of our manufacturing, logistics and marketing capabilities.

Yvonne Chien, Senior Vice President, said: “We have been operating in China for more than 10 years and we are inspired by the quality and quantity of scientific discovery. We see this market as a source of innovation for the long term and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with China.”

Abcam moves to new purpose-built global headquarters

Cambridge, UK – 27 February 2019 : Abcam, a global innovator in life science reagents and tools, is pleased to announce its move to new state-of-the-art global headquarters, Discovery Drive, on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC), UK, a leading hub of healthcare, science and medical research.

Alan Hirzel, CEO, Abcam, commented: “Abcam has been working for 20 years providing biological reagents and tools to help our customers accelerate research, and develop diagnostics and therapeutics that could revolutionise healthcare outcomes. Moving to Discovery Drive is integral to our mission to best serve the global life science community.”

With sites across the US, Europe and Asia in the world’s leading life science research hubs, Abcam’s move to Discovery Drive will combine three existing UK sites. Bringing all employees together, including R&D, laboratory, logistics, corporate and commercial functions, will facilitate open collaboration between teams to improve efficiency and innovation.

To support the Company’s continued growth, the new building provides 75% more space, features fully flexible laboratory configurations, and has new instrumentation and technology for enhanced scientific capabilities. It has also been designed to support agile working and provide introvert and extrovert workspaces.

In addition, the building has been developed to meet global sustainability standards, help protect the natural environment and enhance employee wellbeing.

Dr Michael Weiner wins CiteAb’s 2019 Lifetime achievement award

We are pleased to announce that Dr Michael Weiner, Abcam’s Vice President of Molecular Sciences, is the winner of CiteAb’s 2019 Lifetime achievement award. The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the research reagent industry over a sustained period of time.

Dr Andrew Chalmers, founder of CiteAb, said: “Dr Weiner has a remarkable portfolio of achievements that have furthered our sector significantly throughout his career to date. Our judges were extremely impressed by the breadth of Dr Weiner’s impact and efforts and we feel he’s a very worthy recipient of this esteemed award. Our team wishes Dr Weiner and Abcam many congratulations.”

Dr Weiner said: “I’m grateful and honored to win this award. Delivering research with practical utility for bench scientists has always been my life’s goal and I cannot wait to see where the hard work and innovation of the people at Abcam takes the life sciences next”.

Dr Weiner has delivered several extremely useful and well-received products into the commercial marketplace. He invented the first commercially available means for next-generation DNA sequencing and emulsion PCR (454 Life Sciences, now Roche). The methods have each been cited in over 50,000 scientific articles.

As a serial entrepreneurial scientist, Dr Weiner has successfully founded and sold three companies: Affomix, acquired by Illumina in 2010; GnuBio, acquired by Bio-Rad in 2014; and AxioMx, acquired by Abcam in 2015. His time, innovation, and hard work with these companies have led to many ground-breaking additions to research. Dr Weiner’s additional inventions have also included a bead-based genotyping method, which he pioneered at GlaxoWellcome, (now GlaxoSmithKline) and improved methods for the production of monoclonal antibodies (Affomix) to name just a few.

Beyond his career as a scientist, Dr Weiner, was selected as the Entrepreneur of the Year (2016) for Connecticut by CURE (CURE is Connecticut’s Bioscience Innovation Network). He continues to give time and resources to training and mentoring multiple bioscience professionals throughout his local community of Connecticut.

Abcam was also “highly commended” in several additional categories in the CiteAb awards:

  • Most exciting antibody validation initiative
  • Life science reagent supplier of the year
  • Plant science antibody supplier of the year
  • ELISA kit company of the year

Abcam expands custom services capabilities with the acquisition of Calico Biolabs

London and Cambridge, UK, 28 January 2019: Abcam plc, a global innovator in life science reagents and tools, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Calico Biolabs, a developer of custom high-quality recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibodies for diagnostics and pharmaceutical company partners.

Joyce Young, Vice President of Custom Services, Abcam commented:“This acquisition strategically expands our leadership in recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibody technology. The combination of our complementary antibody engineering capabilities will further support our mission to provide our customers with access to the best antibodies for both today’s and tomorrow’s targets of interest.”

Jacinto Villanueva, CEO, Calico Biolabs, commented:“Abcam is a recognised leader for the supply of high-quality validated antibodies, supported by an innovative approach to production and commercialisation, and we are excited to be joining the team. This move will enable us to more fully support the cancer research and associated diagnostics development being carried out by our industry partners.”

Calico Biolabs partners with many of the leaders in the diagnostics and biopharmaceutical industries to create custom products for companion diagnostics. In addition, Calico Biolabs range of ready-made recombinant CAL antibodies™ for critical immuno-oncology targets will now be available at both research and commercial scale, via the Abcam global commercial network.

To find out more about Abcam’s custom services visit: www.abcam.com/custom-services