Revolutionizing COVID-19 research: The power of the Absorbance 96 plate reader

The Absorbance 96 plate reader has proven to be a flexible workhorse across several scientific areas. It allows researchers to perform a variety of experiments, including ELISA and cell viability assays, expediting discoveries across different domains.

This article discusses recent scientific papers and how the Absorbance 96 plate reader helped these ground-breaking investigations.

Image Credit: Byonoy

New insights into MAIT Cells' role in COVID-19 

• Researchers looked at the unique behavior of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells (MAITs) in COVID-19 patients. These immune cells diminish in the blood but collect in the lungs, especially in severe instances.
• This study found that MAITs, which express the ACE2 receptor needed by SARS-CoV-2 for entrance, seem to evade direct infection. This shows that indirect impacts, presumably from other immune cells and the inflammatory environment, might activate and deplete MAITs in the circulation, causing them to migrate to the lungs.
• The study used an Absorbance 96 ELISA reader to measure blood samples' Interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels. They discovered higher IL-18 during the acute phase, suggesting that high levels of proinflammatory cytokines during acute COVID-19 may promote MAIT cell overactivation; however, no direct link with MAIT cell proportions was identified.

Xiaobo Huang et al., 2004 (Virus Research)

Adhesion Noise Spectroscopy: A novel technique for  cancer drug evaluation 

• A revolutionary research uses cell adhesion noise (CAN) spectroscopy to evaluate chemotherapy activity on cancer cells.
• This label-free, non-invasive approach detects fluctuation in adhesion forces between cancer cells and their substrate, offering real-time insights into cellular responses at the subcellular level.
• The study found that different medications cause varied adhesion noise patterns that correspond to their efficacy in killing cancer cells or inhibiting their growth. This technology has the potential for customized cancer treatment since it allows for quick and precise screening of chemotherapeutic drugs.
• The Absorbance 96 microplate reader was used with the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to measure cell viability and proliferation following medication treatment. The collected findings were consistent with CAN spectroscopy, supporting its applicability.

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

Advancing canine parasite detection 

• Researchers created an accurate ELISA test for identifying Onchocerca lupi (O. lupi) infections in dogs, utilizing the Absorbance 96 ELISA reader. This zoonotic parasite can spread to humans.
• The study used nine peptides from O. lupi proteins to analyze sera from sick dogs in endemic locations. They matched these findings to sera from dogs infected with different filarial infections and healthy canines.
• The test displayed remarkable sensitivity (85.45-100%) and specificity (88.89-100%) across a range of peptides, with some attaining considerable results. This allows for a clear distinction between O. lupi and other filarial infections, making it an important tool for epidemiological research and assessing zoonotic transmission risk.

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

Novel method developed for preserving skin for transplantation

• Researchers created a breakthrough approach to preserve human skin for transplantation. Their procedure involves decellularizing the human dermis (removing cells to reduce transplant rejection). This preserves structural integrity and allows for preservation by freeze-drying.
• The process retains the skin's structure and key components while allowing for preservation via freeze-drying. The biocompatibility and mechanical strength of decellularized skin make it a viable option for skin transplantation.
• The study used an Absorbance 96 microplate reader to quantitatively measure collagen content. The results showed that decellularization did not significantly affect the extracellular matrix, indicating that the novel approach successfully protects important skin components.

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

Note: This article is reproduced from the original article. 

Video Credit: Byonoy

About Byonoy

The Byonoy GmbH was founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the University of Kiel and is situated in Hamburg. Our core competence is to develop innovative microplate readers based on photometric measurements for laboratory use.

Our aim is to facilitate the research and development process, to give researchers new opportunities, and to make the advantages of advanced biotechnological methods accessible to a broad range of laboratories.

For the realization of a successful innovation process our network is a crucial factor. Our partners help us to realize our ideas and we are glad to share our expertise with them.

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