Co-culture assays are experimental setups in which two or more different cell types are grown together in a shared environment. This method allows researchers to study the interactions between different cell types, such as immune cells and cancer cells, or fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Co-culture assays are valuable for understanding complex biological processes like cell signaling, immune responses, and as a drug testing platform. They provide a more physiologically relevant model compared to monoculture systems, where only one cell type is grown in isolation. 

Champions Oncology’s ex vivo co-culture platform is a versatile tool for immuno-oncology research, leveraging well-characterized TumorGraft3D models, AML models, and cell line-derived spheroids to study IO drug responses within a tumor-specific microenvironment. Their proprietary autologous co-culture systems enable precise assessment of therapeutic agents and tumor-immune interactions using patient-derived cells, allowing for a fully human HLA-matched system that is not available in “in vivo” systems.. Advanced confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, cytokine analyses, and Next-Generation Sequencing are employed to analyze immune cell modulation, mechanisms of action, and immune cell infiltration, making Champions' platform an exceptional resource. Champions’ co-culture platform enables testing cell therapies, monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors and combination therapies to advance immuno-oncology research.

Contract assay services offer specialized expertise, unique models, advanced technologies, and scalable resources that may not be available in-house. By outsourcing assays to a contract research organization (CRO), companies can access high-quality, validated methods and benefit from the experience of skilled scientists. This approach is cost-effective, accelerates the development process, and ensures that assays are conducted under strict quality standards. Contract assay services are particularly beneficial for companies that need to expand their R&D capabilities or require specific assays that are beyond their internal resources.

Yes, co-culture assays can be scaled up for high-throughput screening (HTS). Scaling up involves optimizing the assay conditions to be compatible with automated platforms that can handle large numbers of samples or conditions simultaneously. This enables researchers to screen a wide array of compounds or conditions in a co-culture system, making it possible to identify potential drug candidates or study complex interactions at a larger scale. However, scaling up requires careful consideration of factors like reproducibility, sensitivity, and a great knowledge of the model: this is why partnering with our team of experts is a key enabler for the success of your experiments.