The Sanquin department of allergy is one of the world's leading laboratories in the field of allergen research. Identification, purification, cloning and expression of major inhalant and food allergens belong to the core activities of the department. This offers the possibility to measure specific IgE as well as specific IgG/IgG4 antibodies against individual major allergens (in addition to the large panel of > 250 standard allergen extracts). This is relevant for monitoring clinical trials with conventional allergen extracts, but certainly also for more experimental approaches like recombinant-allergen-based vaccines, DNA vaccination, or peptide-immunotherapy.
Serologic monitoring of clinical trials can be outsourced to this department.
Food allergen research has progressed considerably over the past years. The department plays leading role in the development of diagnostic strategies based on major food allergens. The main objective is to increase the clinical relevance of diagnostic tests for food allergy. Outsourcing of diagnostic test development to the department offers the advantage of combining allergen know-how with availability of well-defined serum panels of food-allergic patients. This also facilitates screening of novel foods, like GM-foods, for allergenicity.
In parallel with the allergen-research, major allergen-specific antibody reagents have been (and are being) developed. Quantitative tests for major allergens are available for standardization and stability testing of allergen products. Development of new major allergen tests is possible on demand. Major allergen measurements to monitor allergen exposure in 'epidemiological studies' are another area of expertise. |  |
Off-the-shelf diagnostic tests |  |
Serological screening
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Allergy-related assays
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- Total IgE
- Specific IgE, more than 250 allergens,
special allergens on request
- IgE measurements in paper-absorbed
capillary blood
- Allergen-specific IgG
- Precipitating antibodies (Type III allergy)
- Celiac disease-related IgA/IgG
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- Allergen measurements
- Autologous dust RAST assays
- Histamine release tests (basophils)
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Tailor-made solutions
In addition to the available test repertoire, Sanquin CLB's scientific specialists can help customers to design and develop tailor-made solutions for specific trial objectives. Our specialists can give you more information about allergy and discuss the development of specific tests for your research:
Prof. Rob Aalberse, PhD
Steven Stapel, PhD
Telephone: +31 20 512 34 79
diagnostic.services@sanquin.nl |