Robust Method Detects Phosphorylation of Intracellular Proteins in Whole Blood

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — The Cell Lab Signaling Cytometry (Cell Lab SC) line of reagents from Beckman Coulter, Inc., offers a comprehensive set of antibodies for the detection of the phosphorylation state of signaling proteins in cells via flow cytometry. Performing cell signaling experiments via flow enables the user to generate precise, specific and quantitative measurements of the signaling response in individual cellular subpopulations.

The reagents, which in the initial offering are conjugated to either Alexa Fluor* 488 or Alexa Fluor 647, are released in conjunction with a new method that allows analysis of samples in whole blood. Analyzing samples in whole blood minimizes artifacts and variability introduced through sample manipulation and helps preserve the native biology of the cell. The method has also shown excellent performance when used with bone marrow, cell culture, and purified cell populations.

Antibodies in the Cell Lab SC line can be used in combination with extracellular markers to study signaling patterns in specific cellular subpopulations. Products are available for the study of apoptosis, chromatin regulation, cytoskeletal signaling, DNA damage, lymphocyte signaling, MAP kinase signaling, protein folding, translation control and other phosphorylation events.

“Using flow cytometry to get quantitative, cell-type specific data enables researchers to interrogate signaling pathways in ways previously unattainable by Western blotting,” said Brad Calvin, vice president of Beckman Coulter’s Flow Cytometry Business Center. “The combined whole-blood application, which incorporates robust cell preparation and high affinity antibodies, creates the potential to transform our understanding of cell signaling’s role in disease, while also providing the pharmaceutical industry with the potential for improved characterization of target compound function and effect.”

About Beckman Coulter

Beckman Coulter, Inc., based in Orange County, California, develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical tests. More than 200,000 Beckman Coulter systems operate in laboratories around the world, supplying critical information for improving patient health and reducing the cost of care. Recurring revenue, consisting of consumable supplies (including reagent test kits), service and operating-type lease payments, represent about 80 percent of the company’s 2009 revenue of $3.3 billion. For more information, visit https://www.beckmancoulter.com/.

Photo caption: Cell Lab SC reagents from Beckman Coulter, Inc. detect the phosphorylation state of signaling proteins in cells directly from whole blood via flow cytometry.

*Alexa Fluor is a trademark of Molecular Probes (Invitrogen Corp.).

Beckman Coulter and the stylized logo are registered trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Cell Lab and Signaling Cytometry are trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc.