The Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute

Partnership with community-based laboratories brings research closer to participants SAN DIEGO, Oct. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --This month, the University of Southern California's Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) launched AlzMatch, a new research study where selected volunteers have their blood tested to determine potential eligibility for Alzheimer's disease trials. The AlzMatch Study seeks to determine whether a single blood test, collected at Quest Diagnostics laboratories across the country, can help speed clinical trial enrollment for anti-amyloid treatments by identifying individuals who have an increased likelihood of having brain amyloid. Brain amyloid is a protein that builds up in people who may go on to have memory problems because of Alzheimer's disease. Currently, most Alzheimer's prevention trials rely on positron emission tomography (PET) scans to determine whether amyloid is present in the brain as part of screening individuals for research. According to researchers, blood tests can be used to reduce the number of PET scans needed since they can identify people most likely to have amyloid build-up in the brain. The AlzMatch Study seeks to simplify the screening process through a single blood test taken at a Quest location near the potential participant. For this first phase, only participants in the Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy () are eligible to enroll in AlzMatch. The APT Webstudy helps people track their memory through a series of online, no-cost tests that take just 20 minutes to complete every three months and potentially match them to Alzheimer's clinical trials. APT Webstudy participants must be at least 50 years old, healthy and have access to the internet. Researchers are working to extend AlzMatch to the community at large, but interested individuals are invited to first join the APT Webstudy. "The AlzMatch Study offers people an opportunity to accelerate their potential participation in Alzheimer's prevention trials based on a simple blood test," said Reisa Sperling, MD, director of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, co-principal investigator for the APT Webstudy and scientific co-lead for AlzMatch. "People can be screened at a local laboratory in their community, and if eligible, be referred quickly to a clinical trial location, which will greatly speed our progress toward finding an effective treatment to prevent Alzheimer's dementia." Participants are invited via email to enroll and consent to AlzMatch online. Following the blood draw, participants receive a $50 eGift card for their time. The collected blood samples are analyzed over a four-to-six-week period, after which participants will be contacted by a member of the AlzMatch support team to discuss results. "AlzMatch brings Alzheimer's research to our local communities, which we hope will lead to greater access for everyone—especially communities that have not had easy access to research historically," said Sarah Walter, MS, who co-leads the AlzMatch Study at ATRI. "With a simple blood test collected in the community, we have the potential to speed up clinical trial enrollment and hopefully help find better treatments to help the millions of people living with Alzheimer's." For more information about the APT Webstudy, the first step for AlzMatch participation, visit APTwebstudy.org. About the Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute The Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) aims to accelerate the development of effective treatments through rigorous testing for Alzheimer's disease patients and their families. Established in 2015 as part of the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine in San Diego, ATRI facilitates academic-industry collaborations between world-renowned, multi-discipline scientists and researchers to develop the deepest understand of Alzheimer's disease and bring therapeutic advancements to the world. To learn more about ATRI, visit . Follow ATRI on Twitter at or on Facebook at . CONTACT: Gisela Rosende, [email protected] SOURCE Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute

The Sero Krystal PDL range of coated microplates from Porvair Sciences set a new benchmark for reproducible cell culture even with challenging cell types. Many scientists would prefer to grow cells in a serum-free environment to more accurately mimic physiological conditions. However, this often presents challenges as cell lines often struggle to attach to traditional tissue culture plastics in the absence of serum. Manufactured from ultra-pure polystyrene in a clean room environment, Sero Krystal Poly-D-Lysine (PDL) coated microplates were developed by Porvair Sciences to overcome these challenges and promote superior cell attachment, growth and proliferation for a wide range of cell types in serum-free media. Poly-D-Lysine is a synthetic (animal-free) extracellular matrix used in cell culture applications to promote cell adhesion.  Available in 96- and 384-well formats these new Sero Krystal PDL microplates are uniformly coated with a 70 to 150 kDa PDL polymer using proprietary methods. The coating creates a uniform net positive charge on the surface of the plate wells. This positive surface charge improves electrostatic interactions between the coated surface and the negative charges of the cell membrane resulting in improved cell attachment. Sero Krystal microplates are ideal for the culture of transfected cell lines, primary neurons, glial cells and fibroblasts, such as the adherent mouse fibroblast cell line L929 and other common adherent cell lines including HEK-293, BHK-21, PC12 and, NSC-34. Available in clear, black and frame versions - Sero Krystal PDL coated microplates incorporate an optically clear base. The consistent flatness of the Sero Krystal microplate base gives superior light transmission for high resolution imaging and a flat optical plane for growing cells. Supplied sterile and ready-to-use, Sero Krystal PDL coated microplates are the first part of the new Sero range of cell culture plates to launch from Porvair Sciences.