From COVID-19 to Canine Research: Simplifying Microplate Reading

The Absorbance 96 plate reader has proven to be a versatile workhorse in various scientific disciplines. It enables researchers to conduct a range of assays, including ELISA and cell viability assays, thereby accelerating discoveries across multiple fields. Let’s explore recent scientific publications and learn how the Absorbance 96 plate reader has supported these groundbreaking studies.

Uncovering MAIT Cells in COVID-19 Research 

• Researchers investigated the peculiar behavior of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells (MAITs) in COVID-19 patients. While these immune cells decrease in the blood, they accumulate in the lungs, particularly in severe cases.
• This study revealed that despite expressing the ACE2 receptor (used by SARS-CoV-2 for entry), MAITs seem to evade direct infection. This suggests indirect effects, possibly from other immune cells and the inflammatory environment, might activate and deplete MAITs from the bloodstream, leading to their migration toward the lungs.
• The study utilized the Absorbance 96 ELISA reader to perform an ELISA assay, measuring blood samples' Interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels. They observed elevated IL-18 during the acute phase, suggesting excessive amounts of proinflammatory cytokines during acute COVID-19 may cause MAIT cell overactivation; however, no direct correlation with MAIT cell proportions was found.

Xiaobo Huang et al., 2004 (Virus Research)

Read the full story 

Advancements in Cancer Drug Testing with Adhesion Noise Spectroscopy 

• A breakthrough study introduces a new cell adhesion noise (CAN) spectroscopy as a novel method for evaluating chemotherapeutic efficacy on cancer cells. 
• This label-free, non-invasive technique measures fluctuations in adhesion forces between cancer cells and their substrate, providing real-time insights into cellular responses with subcellular resolution.
• The study demonstrated that different drugs produce distinct adhesion noise patterns, correlating with their effectiveness in killing cancer cells or hindering their growth. This technique holds promise for personalized cancer treatment by allowing rapid and precise screening of chemotherapeutic agents.
• The Absorbance 96 microplate reader was used with the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to quantify cell viability and proliferation after drug treatment. The obtained data were in accordance with CAN spectroscopy, validating its application. 

Maximillian Ell et al., 2024 (Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology) 

Read the full story

Advancing Canine Parasite Detection 

• Researchers developed a highly accurate ELISA test using the Absorbance 96 ELISA reader for detecting Onchocerca lupi (O. lupi) infections in dogs. This zoonotic parasite can be transmitted to humans.
• The study employed nine peptides derived from O. lupi proteins to test sera from infected dogs in endemic regions. They compared these results with sera from dogs infected with other filarial parasites and healthy dogs.
• The assay demonstrated exceptional sensitivity (85.45-100%) and specificity (88.89-100%) across various peptides, with some achieving significant scores. This allows clear differentiation between O. lupi and other filarial infections, making it a valuable tool for epidemiological studies and assessing zoonotic transmission risks.

Maria Stefania Latrofa et al., 2024 (Scientific Reports)

Read the full story 

Novel Method Developed for Preserving Skin for Transplantation

• Researchers developed a novel method for preserving human skin for transplantation. Their technique involves decellularizing the human dermis (cells removed to minimize transplant rejection). This preserved structural integrity while enabling storage through freeze-drying.
• The technique preserves the skin's structure and essential components while enabling its storage through freeze-drying. The decellularized skin was observed to be biocompatible and mechanically robust, making it a promising approach for skin transplantation.
• The study utilized the Absorbance 96 microplate reader to analyze collagen content quantitatively. The results demonstrated that decellularization did not significantly alter the extracellular matrix, suggesting that the new method effectively preserves vital components of the skin.

Giulia Montagner et al., 2024 (Cell Tissue Bank)

Read the full story 

Learn more about Absorbance 96 

Supercharge your research with fast microplate readouts and instant data analysis—discover the difference today! Watch the product demo of Absorbance 96 now!