ChanTest opens new laboratory facilities for expanded cell and molecular biology services

At the ChanTest headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, the company has expanded its physical footprint by more than 50%.

The laboratory expansion reflects the importance of providing high quality cell lines and cellular reagents for drug research.

ChanTest scientists use the cells grown in the new facility for ion channel services and products, and for external clients outsourcing cell and molecular work to ChanTest. Examples include standard cell culture services and highly technical custom cell line development projects.

ChanTest Cell and Molecular Biology Director Dr Luke Armstrong noted the company’s cell and molecular biology service business nearly doubled in 2013 and it expects another year of strong growth in 2014.

"The expansion helps ChanTest keep up with the growing needs of our clients," Dr Armstrong added.

The new space at ChanTest is fully operational and used for the following:

– Cell culture labs
– Capacity for adherent cell scale-up of 10 billion cells
– Controlled rate freezer capable of cryopreserving 600 vials of cells
– Capability for membrane preparations of up to 2g of protein
– Large-scale electroporator capable of generating three billion transfected cells
– Flow sorter (FACSAria)
– Dedicated molecular biology lab
– Radioisotope lab (completion in March 2014)

ChanTest has developed the world’s most complete library of validated human ion channel-expressing cell lines to serve all the ion channel needs of its pharmaceutical and biotech customers. Services range from early functional screens for profiling drug candidates or ranking within profiles during the drug-discovery process – to a complete set of in vitro GLP service products for cardiac risk assessment.

ChanTest works in partnership with customers to speed up the drug development process, to save time and money, and ultimately – to help make better, safer drugs.