The liver is the most important site of drug metabolism in the body. Approximately 60% of marketed compounds are cleared by hepatic phase I, i.e. Cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism. Hepatocytes contain the full complement of hepatic drug metabolising effectors, including uptake and efflux transporters, as well as phase I and phase II enzymes.
Our research group deciphers ambiguities of hepatic physiology and tries to mimic it in in vitro setting. During that time, we have developed a full array of liver in vitro models and assays to evaluate characteristic hepatic functions and their modulation by drug-mediated responses. We can therefore provide you an expert advice and perform the evaluation of:
- hepatocyte proliferation via measurement of DNA synthesis, as well as mRNA and protein expression of cell cycle markers.
- functional characterization of hepatocytes at mRNA, protein and activity level, including albumin and urea production capacity, phase I Cytochrom P450-mediated metabolism, phase II metabolism, influx transporters and biliary excretion.
- hepatic stress and cytotoxic responses towards diverse agents: oxidative stress (e.g. ROS production), genotoxicity, cytotoxicity (necrotic and apoptotic cell death), steatosis, phospholipidosis.
We are able to propose a multilevel screening, both in short-term and extended timeframe, using primary and stem cells-derived hepatocytes from different species:
We would be happy to share our expertise with you on the fee-for-service or collaborative basis.
Interested parties can contact: