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Preclinical Testing Service
For Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment options are extremely limited and are associated with the risk of potentially life-threatening complications both acute and long-term. Prevention of T1D or restoration of beta cell function after diagnosis remains elusive. Reliable preclinical studies are essential to accelerate the progression of therapies to T1D clinical trials.
Expertise
SVI provides a contract service to companies and academic organisations looking for validated T1D preclinical testing to help progress candidate molecules (small molecules or biologicals).
Our testing service is run by world leaders in T1D pathogenesis with expertise in immunology, beta cell biology, clinical endocrinology and transplantation, paired with operational capability.
Prominent multinational companies and research organizations utilize our expertise to gather preclinical data on T1D treatments in development. We are also pleased to have the support of JDRF, a research funding and advocacy organization.
Services
We offer a comprehensive range of preclinical in vitro and in vivo T1D models under fee-for-service arrangements.
Human islets
We isolate human islets from cadaveric organ donors in our on-site biological isolator facility. Testing includes:
- Islet cell viability assays
- Islet RNA expression signatures
- Validated positive controls
Human T-cell assays
Our Living Biobank ensures access to human samples from T1D donors. Testing includes:
- CD8+ CTL activity (using viral antigens)
- CD4+ T-cell responses (using beta cell antigens and/or tetanus toxoid)
- Validated positive controls
Murine models
Our portfolio of reproducible interventional studies in animal models is built on a foundation of careful mouse colony management and procedural expertise. Testing includes:
- Reduction of insulitis in NOD mice
- Prevention of diabetes in NOD mice
- Reversal of newly-diagnosed diabetes in NOD mice
- Accelerated and induced mouse models of T1D
- Immune cell phenotyping and function in islets and lymphoid organs
- Validated positive controls
Additional services are available, and projects can be co-developed.
Team
Study Directors
Prof Helen Thomas, BSc (Hons), PhD
Prof Tom Kay, BMedSci, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPA
A/Prof Stuart Mannering, BSc, MSc, PhD
Operations & Project Management
Dr Tom Brodnicki, BSc, PhD
Dr Michaela Waibel, PhD
Business Development
Emma Armitage BSc (Hons), MBioEnt
Contact us
If you would like to get in touch or receive more information you can:
View our brochure
T1D Preclinical Testing Service.pdf 407KB 