Clinical Chemistry

Our clinical chemistry analyser provides automated, high throughput measurements of a range of physiologically-relevant analytes in body fluids, such as blood, serum, plasma, CSF and urine, or in other homogeneous liquids, such as clarified tissue homogenates or cell culture media. Although marketed for use in clinical diagnostics, our instrument is used exclusively for research purposes.

Standard analytes include proteins such as albumin or immunoglobulins, small molecule biomarkers of metabolic integrity or pathology, such as bilirubin or triglycerides, and important vitamins/minerals such as vitamin D or iron.

Since many tests are based on colorimetric responses to functional/binding assays, they are species non-specific. However, some tests, particularly for non-enzymatic proteins, are based on antibody binding and may only work on human samples. 

Our clinical chemistry analyser can be programmed for bespoke methods and we can develop novel assays specific for your requirements, including the use of targeted antibodies for specific proteins.

The Pentra 400 is a compact, automated clinical chemistry analyser with several analysis modes, including colorimetry, turbidimetry and direct and indirect potentiometry.

There are 55 on board assays for key metabolic markers in blood, plasma, urine, cerebro-spinal fluid and other body fluids. Other assays that function by spectrophotmetry can also be programmed.

A full list of analytes is available on request, but includes key metabolic enzymes, acute phase proteins, essential vitamins, minerals and key metal ions. Used in combination with other techniques, inlcuding metabolomics and proteomics, clinical chemistry analysis can provide mechanistic insight to underpin research into disease biology and drug efficacy.

Many assays work with blood, serum, plasma, urine, CSF etc of humans and animals although some commercially-available tests are species specific since they use antibodies for detection. Bespoke reagents can be used as replacements in such instances.

Although our instrument can be used in clinical medical or veterinary diagnostics, we do not use ours in this manner. Thus, the clinical chemistry analyser should be used for research purposes only.

Sample requirements depend on what is being measured, both in terms of the type of sample and its volume. We can give more information once a test, or a series of test, have been selected.