TECHNOLOGICAL OFFER

FUNCTIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY LINE

The functional biotechnology line is orientated towards providing support to companies in the early stages of the discovery of new drugs/active principles, and/or new therapeutic forms in the fields of pharmacy, health and cosmetics. The quality of our services is backed up by our BPL BPLI/0010/003 and ISO 9001 quality assurance systems. Our technological offer in this area comprises three applicable technologies:

1. Cellular Biology
At GAIKER we offer experience and specialist services, approved by the Ministry of Health, in areas such as in vitro monitoring of cytotoxicity, phototoxicity, hematotoxicity, biocompatibility, in vitro mutagenesis and ADME-tox. Other areas of research include the development and validation of new test models: skin barriers and hematoencephalic barriers. Our experimental systems include, amongst others: 3T3, L-929, HepG2, MCF7, CHO, human cell line CACO-2, NCM-460, human hepatocytes, hepatic microsomes, erythrocytes, human chondrocytes and human keratinocytes. Moreover, at GAIKER we offer the possibility of working in line with the requirements and cellular systems, both animal and human, requested by each of our clients.

2. Genomics
In this sphere GAIKER offers a complete range of resources for pharmacogenomic studies which allow us to deal with the response of the experimental systems (in vivo/in vitro) in the face of new active principles.

Moreover, we carry out population genetic distribution studies for clinical tests and research into new molecular targets and markers related to the diagnosis of multi-genic diseases. In the particular case of cancer, we have developed a marker panel involved in the identification of different phases of colorectal cancer and their use as new therapeutic targets. In this technology our main services are: DNA/RNA extraction/purification, DNA/RNA quality control, microarrays platform (Agilent), quantitative PCR/RT-PCR and PCR.

3. Proteomics
In the proteomic sphere our services include the comparison, selection, identification and characterisation of the proteome by way of 2D separation techniques and image analysis using Samespots software (Nonlinear Dynamics™). In this regard GAIKER offers capacity for the heterologic production of proteins of therapeutic value.

Moreover, we count on, amongst others, immunochromatography, MS/MS-HPLC liquid chromatography and electrophoresis systems.

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY LINE

The industrial biotechnology line is orientated towards fully covering the particular innovation and production process control requirements of our clients, from the start of the process through to the achievement of the quality and standardisation of the end product. The quality of the studies carried out at GAIKER, along with our advanced services, are fully guaranteed by way of certificate ISO 9001. In this work area we cover the following technologies:

1. Molecular Biology
In order to offer this range of services, we work with the most advanced instrumental techniques. We have methodologies to quickly detect health risks and identify primary product fraud. To this end we put into practice molecular biology techniques (quantitative PCR, PCR-ELISA, RT-PCR). In our infrastructure we have level (2) and (3) biological risk contention laboratories. Our experience in this field allows us to offer, amongst others, developments in the following areas: design of clinical diagnosis kits; design of detection kits from standardised analytics, based on molecular biology; process traceability; authentication of primary products and elaboration of bacterial identification traces as a support tool in water treatment.

2. Microbiology and Industrial Enzymology
We use combined industrial microbiology techniques and enzymes to improve the production processes through clean technologies and develop new green, environmentally friendly products. Our experience with these tools allows us to confidently work in, amongst others, the following fields of application: application of enzymatic technology to production processes such as agroalimentation and agrochemistry (skinned fish, canned vegetables, hydrolysis processes); obtaining of ingredients by enzymatic technology; clean production technologies through the application of combined chemical-enzymatic technologies and characterisation of hydrolysates applied in the agroalimentary and cosmetic sectors.

3. Biosensors
In the biosensor sphere, at GAIKER we are heavily involved in bio-nanosensor immobilisation techniques on different material surfaces: colloidal gold, latex, glass and polymeric materials for application in the detection of analytes for use in clinical diagnosis and in the detection of pathogens. Within this same line of work, we are developing new miniaturised diagnosis systems within the lab on a chip concept, which allows for portability and use on site by untrained staff. Our experience in this area has led to the development of diagnosis systems based on: micro-PCR, immunochromatography, immunofluorescence and immunomagnetism, amongst others.