Welcome to NeuroProof the Neuroscience CRO
NeuroProof, as a contract research organization, is a global leader and preferred partner in microelectrode array (MEA)-based phenotypic screening of primary cultures and hiPSC-derived neuronal cultures. NeuroProof offers screening services and state-of-the-art mathematical expertise for the artificial intelligence-based analysis of test agents on neuronal network activity.
Our services include the cultivation of neuronal cultures on MEA chips, medium-throughput screening of test agents, high-quality recording of spontaneous and compound-induced network activity, state-of-the-art mathematical analyses, and sophisticated pattern recognition methods. NeuroProof is your partner for developing new in vitro disease models with its functional phenotypic screening technology.
NeuroProof has developed a broad range of in vitro tools to assess neurotoxicity. Utilizing our in vitro assays with primary neuronal cell cultures from mice, rats, and human iPSC-derived cell cultures, we offer precise assays to evaluate specific neurotoxic threats for neuronal toxicology screening.
Functional phenotypic screening has enormous importance in CNS drug discovery. NeuroProof offers in vitro disease models that incorporate the advantages of the phenotypic screening approach. In vitro, CNS disease models contain complex neuronal cell cultures and are a real alternative to animal models in the early phases of drug development and compound profiling. We offer disease models with primary neuronal cell cultures and human IPSC-derived neuronal cell cultures. From human iPSC-derived cell cultures we develop models for rare diseases.
Phenotypic screening is the most successful screening approach in CNS drug discovery. All definitions of phenotypic screening refer to a physiological read-out as a phenotype of a complex cell system in vitro or in vivo. Phenotypes described by the electrophysiological activity of neuronal networks are ideal for phenotypic screening since they incorporate the natural physiological function of the brain.
MEA neurochips are a valuable tool for detecting compound effects on neuronal maturation. Using the MEA-neurochip technology, we can directly monitor and characterize the maturation of primary mouse or human iPSC-derived network activity in electrically active neuronal networks.
In many examples, we have demonstrated receptor validation with standard pharmacology methods. For this, we pretreat cultures with a confirmed antagonist of a specific receptor and test a compound in an MEA experiment to see if this pretreatment neutralizes the compound effect.
We combine our MEA-neurochip approach with state-of-the-art molecular biology assays and bioinformatics tools, to support, optimize and validate it. In this way the functional outcome can be correlated with data on the molecular level.
Neuropathic pain is caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. Prevalence of neuropathic pain is from 3% to 17% of population. Neuropathic pain impacts negatively patients’ life and their social environment. Mood disorders, depression, and anxiety are common consequences. A special form of neuropathic pain is trigeminal pain.
Schizophrenia, a complex disorder affecting 1% of the population, presents challenges in treatment, particularly in addressing negative symptoms and cognitive impairments together. We have developed assays that mimic immunological and neurodevelopmental aspects of schizophrenia. These electrophysiological assays correspond with electrophysiological data from schizophrenic patients.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a fatal, late-onset disease with severe diagnosis and no cure today. ALS targets motor neurons, causing their loss and, eventually, damage to motor function and muscle movement. We have developed a broad portfolio of ALS models with human iPSC-derived motor neurons.
NeuroProof Systems GmbH offers high-content screening assays with automated microscopy for the phenotypic screening of new ALS therapeutics. We deliver quantitative analyses of morphological biomarkers relevant to ALS. Based on its broad MEA experience with human iPSC-derived cell lines, NeuroProof Systems GmbH develops optimal imaging assays.
NeuroProof has developed, optimized, and characterized with its partner BrainXell human iPSC-derived spinal motor neuron cultures and co-cultures with astrocytes and microglia.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a fatal, late-onset disease with severe diagnosis and no cure today. ALS targets motor neurons, causing their loss and eventually, the damage of motor function muscle movement. ALS occurs as bulbar or spinal ALS.
We translate ALS biomarker research into standalone or supplementary biomarkers for your screening projects.
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, with many patients unresponsive to existing treatments. At NeuroProof, we tackle this challenge through advanced in vitro screening assays that explore the mechanisms of epileptogenesis and assess new antiepileptic drugs. Our diverse assay models include the 4-AP Model, which simulates seizure activity, the SCN1A Model, focused on mutations related to Dravet syndrome, and a Developmental Model examining the role of developmental factors in epilepsy.
The epilepsy developmental model models ictal events in neuronal cultures, which are comparable to ictal events in humans. These ictal events are caused by the interruption of developmental processes in the hippocampus.
Overactivation of glutamate receptors is a fundamental mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases it impairs cellular calcium homeostasis, activates nitric oxide synthesis and generation of free radicals causing programmed cell death.
Loss of function of the SCN1A gene is the cause of Dravet syndrome, a catastrophic form of epilepsy.
The Potassium K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) induces epileptiform activity in in vitro preparations and is a potent convulsant in animals and man, Our 4-AP model is a versatile model for Epilepsy.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is caused by a specific loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra/midbrain and the resulting lack of neuronal signals into the striatum, which leads to motor and cognitive dysfunctions. Parkinson’s disease etiology is only partially understood. Disease models cover a wide range of approaches by using Parkinsonism-provoking agents such as MPP+, Rhotenon, or 6-OHDA or modeling this neurodegenerative disease with suspected disease-relevant proteins such as alpha-synuclein filaments.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is caused by soluble beta amyloid, Abeta, aggregates/oligomers leading to neuro-degeneration and cognitive impairment which is one of the major hallmarks in AD.
Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited cognitive disability. FXS patients also show symptoms that belong to the autism spectrum disorder symptoms. FXS is a neuro-developmental disease with a prevalence of 1:5000 in males and 1:8000 in females. We offer a human iPSC-derived neuronal model.
October 22, 2024 – NeuroProof Systems GmbH, a leader in developing disease models for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Doppelganger, renowned for its Quantitative System Metabolism (QSM™) platform, are proud to announce the launch of an innovative ALS screening service. This groundbreaking collaboration combines advanced metabolic and electrophysiological analyses, offering unprecedented insights into the energy metabolism of ALS cells.
NeuroProof and BrainXell at the ALS Drug Development Summit in Boston May 21-23, 2024
Developing new ALS therapies is challenging, as the clinical study results of the last months demonstrate.
ALS Assays with a strong predictive capacity need rigorous validation. These assays should correspond with clinical symptoms, be constructed at best with patient's material, and should be validated with many compounds.
ALS models based on human iPSC-derived spinal motor neurons with disease-relevant mutations have the potential to help develop new urgently needed ALS therapies the more they are well-validated.
infobox@neuroproof.com
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