Scientific and research laboratories
Alkor Bio biotech company was found in 1992. At the outset the research group was created to develop new diagnostic kits and promote them to the market. Today Alkor Bio has 7 scientific departments: ELISA kits laboratory, laboratory of allergology, laboratory of biochemistry, chemical laboratory, laboratory of molecular diagnostics, hybridoma laboratory. The staff is highly qualified biotechnologists. Vega, a subsidiary, was set up in 2007 by the scientific department. This company along with other affiliates of Alkor Bio comprises the Holding. Each unit of the Нolding makes a valuable contribution and targeted at common success.
ELISA kit development laboratory
The laboratory was created in 2006 by the merging the analytical group with the laboratory of infectious diseases. Earlier the analytical group was engaged in development of kits for hormonal and cancer diagnostics while the main goal of the laboratory of infectious diseases was the development of diagnostic kits for socially important infectious diseases. Modern laboratory can solve all this wide range of problems. Nowaday laboratory develops, verifies and validates a broad variety of ELISA kits for quantitative and qualitative determination of different proteins in human serum and plasma. Usage of the domestic manufactured reagents that have been exhaustively tested for purity and reproducibility give the laboratory staff a possibility to produce high quality ELISA kits.
The laboratory of biochemistry
The laboratory of biochemistry was formed in 2000 on the basis of the R&D group specialized in antigen and antibody purification. This group was also involved in a kit’s component production. Now the laboratory is increasing the number of handled techniques and the assortment of end products. All raw materials used for kits production is thoroughly tested for its quality. The main part of this work is carried out by the laboratory of biochemistry. High quality conjugates of antibodies, steroids and thyroids with peroxidase are also produced by the lab. All processes for antigen and antibody purification and quality control techniques are designed to maintain high reproducibility.Any new project undertaken by the Company needs biochemical research, which is carried out by the lab in collaboration with other R&D units. The results of such researches are new products and associated processes.New task of the laboratory is the development of recombinant proteins for ELISA kits. The development of own strains producing recombinant proteins and processes for their purification allows not only to decrease the cost of production but also to maintain the quality of end products.
The hybridoma laboratory
The laboratory was set up in 2005. The main task of the group is development and production of monoclonal antibodies, the major components of ELISA kits. Antibodies are produced by cell lines named hybridomas. For antibody production the laboratory uses not only existing cell lines but also creates new hybridoma. Hybridoma development is a very complex and time-consuming process demanding various methods of cell biology, immunology and biochemistry. Laboratory also produces new recombinant proteins. Many antigens and antibodies composing Alkor Bio diagnostic kits are rather expensive. So the development of own antibodies and recombinant proteins allows to decline expenditures. Reduction of cost makes the product more attractive to consumer. Furthermore new antibodies improve the quality of diagnostic kits since they determine the sensitivity and specificity of the system.
The laboratory of allergology
The laboratory was established in 2002 for the development and production different allergens for immunoassay. At present the laboratory have launched 800 allergens for a new Alkor Bio “Allergy ELISA human specific IgE” diagnostic kit for detecting allergen-specific immunoglobulin E in blood. The lab is going to design 20 new allergens in 2012 and to enlarge their number to a few hundreds. Firstly the most essential allergens for medicine were created and introduced to the market. The laboratory plans to increase the assortment due to making less widespread allergens. Extension of allergen’s variety is the key point for effective allergy diagnostic.Production of allergens is a difficult process which includes isolation and purification of samples from different sources and studying of its physicochemical, biochemical and immunological properties. The accuracy of diagnosis depends on the concentration of allergen and quality of its purification. Production of allergens requires up-to-date equipment and the quality control throughout manufacturing process.Research work is carried out since the laboratory was founded. One of the important tasks is the development of approach for early immunodiagnostics and prevention of atopic diseases. The main aim of the project is the search of immunological markers allowing diagnose allergy before its clinical onset. Forecasting allergy progression enables to stop or at least to decrease the severity of the disease by highly effective prophylactics.
The laboratory of molecular diagnostics
The laboratory of molecular diagnostics (LMD) was established in 2011 by merging of several scientific groups from various departments of Alkor Bio Group. The aim of the new laboratory was to develop novel (for the company and the Russian market) diagnostic technologies. The innovations include DNA and protein microarrays, immunoblotting and immunochromatography tests which are required for development of such fields as human genetic diagnostics, allergologic and infection diagnostics. LMD projects are intended for detection of various human diseases and pathologies and based on the modern methods of molecular biology. Currently LMD is developing a project on the diagnostics of cystic fibrosis using microarray technique for simultaneous detection of 25 mutations. Another field of the laboratory research is development of up-to-date test systems in real time PCR format for detection of wide spectrum of bacterial and virus pathogens. Other test systems are being developed including those for genetic diagnostics of osteoporosis and thrombophilia, pharmacogenetic tests for detection of individual sensitiveness to cardiovascular and mental disorders, test for measuring specific immunoglobulin E levels for wide spectrum of allergens, and express-tests for neonatal diagnostics of TORCH infections.
Chemical laboratory
The laboratory was established in 2016 as part of the integrated project "Production of analytical robotic complex for clinical laboratory tests using nano-reagents". With this project, Alkor Bio Group became the winner of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation on the selection of organizations for the right to receive subsidies for realization of integrated projects for high-tech production. Work on the project is carried out by Alkor Bio Group involving the St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics. The main problem to be solved in the chemical laboratory is the development of methods for the preparation of modified magnetic particles for nano-reagents. Creating of the own magnetic particles will avoid spending on the purchase of expensive imported analogues. Chemical laboratory is equipped with all necessary for this type of laboratories modern apparatus, allowing to synthesize various objects, such as nano- and micro-sized magnetic particles, modified esters of steroidal hormones, etc.
The microbiology laboratory
The microbiology laboratory began working in early December after licensing for carrying out activities in using of human & animal pathogens of infectious diseases and genetically modified organisms, the 3rd and 4th degrees of potential danger, in closed systems. The license has been issued by Federal Consumer Protection and Human Welfare Control Service after all the checks. The head of microbiology laboratory Natalia Tretyakova said: “This laboratory was established for full substitution of import raw using in manufacturing EIA kits for ToRCH infections diagnostics and validating of own PCR kits on clinical samples”. The budget for design, construction and equipping of the laboratory is 13 million rubles. It is isolated part of the main building with all necessary facilities, rooms with the 2nd degree of biological safety and with autoclave for decontamination of wastes. Microbiology laboratory is equipped with high-tech equipment, such as high-speed centrifuge for the extraction and purification of antigens (include viral antigens).