Whole Blood Assays

Cells isolated from whole blood include immune cells such as granulocytes (eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils) alongside red blood cells, platelets, serum components and antibodies. These cells can be employed in phenotypic and functional assays or alternatively whole blood can be used in assays directly. 

At RoukenBio, we have an onsite team of phlebotomists with access to a large number of recallable donors. With known CD16a, CD32a and CD32c genotypes and known HLA statuses (four-digit resolution) our scientific team can help select the right donor for the specific needs of your study. 

Whole blood uses include: 

• Blood cell isolation
• Cellular Phenotyping
• Cytotoxicity assays

Blood cell isolation 
Whole blood can be fractioned into different components via density gradient centrifugation. These fractions include plasma (antibodies and serum components), PBMCs and platelets, granulocytes and red blood cells (including reticulocytes). Cells can also be isolated from whole blood directly, these include:

• PBMCs
• Neutrophils
• Eosinophils
• Basophils
• Platelets
• Red blood cell

Flow Cytometry used to identify different cell populations in whole blood.

Whole blood can be extensively phentoyped via flow cytometry, providing information on the different cell populations of each donor. With custom designed flow panels, we are able to identify any blood cell of interest. Phenotyping includes: 

• Surface and intracellular marker expression
• Proliferative responses (upon stimulation)
• Intracellular cytokine production
• Protein phosphorylation and transcription factor expression
• Metabolic markers

Cytotoxicity Assays
At RoukenBio we tailor cytotoxicity assays to specifically target your cell of interest, whether it be a component of whole blood such as a specific immune cells or red blood cells or a target engineered to express your antigen of interest. The effector cells in these assays can vary depending upon the needs of your study but can include:

• Undefined effectors (whole blood)
• T cells (TDCC) 
• NK cells (ADCC)
• Complement (CDC)

With the needs of customers in mind, our scientific experts are able to adapt our standard assays to your specific needs or design bespoke solutions that best help answer your questions.