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Platform Assays

Our Services

Using the latest technology, the I3H Platform Assays division offers comprehensive biospecimen services to preapproved researchers:

Continually upgrading and expanding, I3H is currently developing automated workflow systems to increase efficiency, fine-tune quality, optimize blood product utilization, and further decrease required sample volume. We invite you to tell us about your needs and inquire about any of our services.

Project Management and Consultation

I3H offers individualized guidance on study design and set-up, including all workflow considerations — from standard operating procedure (SOP) selection and IRB review, through sample collection, processing customization, assay selection, additional quality control (QC) metrics, and data analysis.


Biospecimen Processing

Our dedicated full-time staff offers same-day in-house processing of whole blood samples for extraction of viable human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and nonviable products (i.e., serum, plasma, DNA, buffy coats). We also offer same-day staining for mass cytometry assays from the same draw. Only 300 µL of fresh whole blood is required for the MDIPA mass cytometry service. I3H guarantees >90% cell viability for samples processed within 24 hours and follows rigorous preservation protocols to optimize cell recovery for downstream processes. We adhere to strict standard operating procedures to assure regulatory compliance.

Viable cell processing services include the following:

Biobanking/Cryopreservation

The Platform Assays processing unit features centrally monitored (Aegis Scientific remote monitoring system) -80° C and liquid nitrogen freezers for readily accessible short- and long-term sample storage as well as internally monitored refrigerators for storage of samples, antibodies, and reagents.  

Advanced, Accurate Sample Tracking

I3H works closely with the University of Pennsylvania’s Laboratory Information Management LabVantage team. Our LabVantage specialists support more than 60 separate research teams, 700 users, and 325 studies. They have tracked more than 1.5 million samples.

All samples in our processing unit are barcoded to facilitate tracking from blood-draw scheduling through transport to storage and retrieval. Our software enables us to link assay information to individual samples, along with the specific reagents used in each.

In addition to precise sample tracking, continuous collection of standardized, detailed processing attributes and other experiment specifics provides vital information for data interpretation and future cross-referencing needed for potential metadata linkage.

For questions, consultations, and study initiation requests, see more information.


Immunological Assays and Analysis

We provide high-quality, high-dimensional immune profiling and analysis that enables comparison of individuals across studies. Human biology demands that assaying be performed in accordance with rigid quality control standards to minimize technical noise. I3H submits every assay batch to rigorous QC processes, capturing and documenting observable technical variations to maximize results for clear interpretation.

Additionally, we are in the process of developing novel batch correction methods through our Informatics division.

Mass Cytometry (CyTOF) Services 

Mass cytometry, also known as cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF®), is a state-of-the-art technology that tags antibodies with heavy-metal isotopes to measure protein expression on hundreds of thousands of individual cells.

CyTOF MDIPA Assays

For high-dimensional profiling of whole blood and PMBCs, I3H performs the Maxpar®â€¯Direct™ Immune Profiling Assay™ (MDIPA), using the CyTOF XT™ — Standard BioTools’ next-generation mass cytometer.  With this powerful system, I3H can offer investigators the kind of crucial, reproducible data they need.

Flow Cytometry Services

Flow cytometry uses fluorescent dye on antibodies to measure protein expression on individual cells.

I3H currently offers the following:

We are in the process of building, validating, and standardizing population-specific flow cytometry panels.

Cytometric Data Analysis

Tier 1 CyTOF 

Tier 1 CyTOF assay analysis provides investigators with an autogenerated summary of immune cell populations (>40). Study samples can be compared to more than 500 other individuals from over 1,200 samples we’ve acquired to date. The dataset comparison spans health conditions affecting the immune system, such as autoimmunity, cancer, infectious diseases, and vaccinations, and includes a healthy population reference.

Tier 2 CyTOF and Flow Cytometry 

For both Tier 2 CyTOF and flow cytometry assays, I3H performs unsupervised method analysis of high-dimensional data and statistical testing. We also offer reference analysis to previous openly available or I3H-generated databases/studies.


Serology Services

I3H performs a monochromator-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the Agilent BioTek Epoch microplate spectrophotometer to evaluate serum/plasma measures of IFN-γ and IL-6.


For More Information

Study Initiation and Consultation

We are eager to assist you with your research. Pre-approval is required, and I3H will only approve new study requests for which we can confirm resource availability in advance.

Your request must meet the following criteria, in accordance with our vision and procedures.

  1. Any new study must have a clear goal of clinical impact, such as integration into the electronic medical record, development of new diagnostic tests, initiation of a new clinical trial, etc.
  2. Each project must have a champion that demonstrates commitment to clinical development beyond academic publications.
  3. Studies must be well powered with achievable parameters and time frame for completion. Reasonable effort is required on all sides. 
  4. Investigators must have sufficient funding, demonstrated in advance. Studies requiring additional protocols or late processing will be charged accordingly. 

To initiate a study or for consultation, please contact Damian Maseda, PhD.

Platforms Assays and Analysis

Please direct questions about specific assays and analysis to one of the following people.

Team Contacts

Position Name/Email
Scientific Director of Immune Health Laboratories Damian Maseda, PhD    
Assistant Director of Platform Assays Michelle McKeague, PhD 
Mass Cytometry Lead  Shwetank Verma, PhD  
Flow Cytometry Lead Ayman Rezk, PhD   
Senior Data Analyst  Matei Ionita, PhD   

See services rate schedule