Biological Services
Direct Toxicity Tests
Acute and Chronic Direct Toxicity Tests
Biological assays to detect toxicity
The Direct Toxicity Tests utilized at EBPI Analytics offer acute, sub-chronic and chronic endpoints for a variety of bacteria, micro fauna, marine invertebrates, vertebrates and plant species. The data collected from these assays provide LC50, LOEL and NOEL concentration data for test compounds in aqueous samples (fresh and marine water) and sediment samples.
- This data is required in many areas including:
- Primary toxicological assessments
- Drinking/waste water testing
- Pesticide approval
- Environmental remediation
- Pharmaceutical development
A number of these assays are required in international water effluent quality testing protocols including WSER, NPDES, and WFD. The direct toxicity assays run at EBPI Analytics have been used extensively in government, academia, and industry.
Most of the assays provided at EBPI Analytics follow developed standardized protocols in accordance with the ISO, OECD, and EPA. Several of the assays with no current international standard are in the approval process to be standardized.
Read More: Direct Toxicity Tests
Genotoxicity Testing
Genotoxicity Testing
In addition to the specific mutagenicity assays provided by EBPI Analytics, a line of general genotoxicity tests are offered. These assays use modified bacteria that have the induction of a SOS DNA response gene coupled to a gene that expresses a measurable colorimetric endpoint. The degree of induction of the SOS response can be quantified by the degree of colour change, and correlates with the amount of DNA damage in the cell from toxicant exposure. These assays conform to international ISO standards and were suggested for incorporation into legislation for waste water effluent testing as part of the OSPAR commission (2002). They are currently mandated in Europe as part of the water framework directive (WFD). We believe that these assays are ideal to screen multiple environmental samples, waste water effluent and pure compounds for drug approval. These genotoxic tests provide results not seen in the traditional Ames assays, and are ideal for individual screening experiments, or used in conjunction with other mutagenicity assays.
Genotoxicity assays can be coupled with S9 fraction addition when using traditional methods for toxicant bioactivation. However, EBPI Analytics also offers testing services using our recently developed UMU-Express and SOS-Express assays which have been genetically engineered to express either the human CYP 450 1A2 or the GST T1-1 enzymes. These test methods are a to traditional UMU and SOS assays, as they use the similar bacterial strains, but they show marked improvement in sensitivity, biological relevance and environmental screening ability. We are very excited about these assays and believe that they offer the next step in rapid genotoxic evaluation with increased human health and environmental implications.
Read More: Genotoxicity Testing
Mutagenicity Testing
Mutagenicity Testing
EBPI Analytics offers a large selection of traditional Ames tests to meet any research requirement. There are multiple options offered for these assays, and clients can choose from different bacterial strains, developed for specific sensitivities to mutation type. We also offer both Salmonella and E. coli test bacteria which allows standardization of our assays to previously established test protocols depending on client requirements. Clients can also choose between three assay methods including a standard plate assay, fluctuation test, and a modified ISO procedure. The assay choices promote flexibility depending on personal preference, budget, application, or experimental design. We also offer optional addition of S9 fraction rat liver extracts to metabolically bioactivate genotoxins, which increases the number of mutagenic compounds detected by the Ames assays.
Options for Ames Tests:
|
Name of Ames Test |
Description of Ames Test | S9 Availability | Comments |
| Ames Test | Traditional Ames Test based on the Pour Plate Method | S9 +/- |
Pre-exposure of the bacteria for 30-100 minutes 3 day assay Maximum sample per test is 2mL |
| Muta-ChromoPlate Kit | 96 well Microplate format Ames Test | S9 +/- |
No pre-exposure, bacteria are exposed during the duration of the assay 5-7 day assay Maximum sample per test is 17.5mL S9- 15.5mL S9+ |
| Ames ISO | 384 well Microplate format Ames Test | S9 +/- |
Pre-exposure of the bacteria for 30-100 minutes 3 day assay Maximum sample per test is 2ML |
| Modified ISO | 48 well format run in a 96 well Microplate | S9 +/- |
Pre-exposure of the bacteria for 30-100 minutes 3 day assay Maximum sample per test is 2 mL |