16 Feb Promega and Stemina Biomarker Discovery collaborate to improve techniques in stem cell research
Promega Corporation, a provider of innovative solutions and technical support, and Stemina Biomarker Discovery, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a collaborative research agreement. The collaboration will combine Stemina’s expertise in human embryonic stem (hES) cells with Promega’s expertise in biological reagents and related instrumentation for use in studying cellular and functional biology.
Stemina, founded in 2007 and located in the Madison’s UW Reasearch Park, is a metabolomics company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of molecular biomarkers to improve drug safety and human health. They study the response of hES cells and various cells derived from hES cells, such as heart cells and neurons, to drugs or disease conditions. “We are excited about the prospect of using Promega’s products to generate multiple end-points for our cellular assay systems,” says Stemina CEO, Elizabeth Donley. “As a newer business in the biotechnology business sector, we are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with Promega who has been a global leader in biotechnology for 30 years.”
Promega has a suite of products which allow simple and accurate measurement of a number of important functional aspects of cells. Cell Titer-Glo and Caspase-Glo Assays measure cell viability and apoptosis using an easy to read luminescence. Promega’s Multitox-Flour provides another approach to measuring cell viability and cytotoxicity. Other Promega products which allow measurement of oxidative stress and energy dependent transport such as GSH-Glo and Pgp-Glo will be tested on hES cells.