List of R&D Analysis Services to Outsource

In chemistry, the analysis consists in determining the constituents of a product. In biology, genetic analysis is the technique that seeks to determine the genome of an organism’s cells. In computer science, especially in software engineering, the analysis phase is the first step in software design.

All those examples of analysis can be conducted by subcontractors who have specific expertise.

Actual advantages of outsourcing some analysis have been shown by several organizations, including Forbes and the NZBusiness magazine. We even wrote an article on this subject applied to the R&D sector. Here is the review of few analytic services that might be handled by subcontractors.

Analysis of living tissue

By Ps1415 (Own work)

In biology - at its extended definition, analysis can be outsourced to avoid high investment in equipment or in personnel costs.

For example, electrophysiology testing requires equipment that might be a heavy investment. At least €2000 is necessary as the first investment for a basic experimental set comprising the necessary electrodes, wires, amplifier, and recorder. For a punctual use, you would better consider outsourcing this to experimented labs.

Also for in vitro experiments, it sometimes is better to hire a CRO that will handle the task.

Analysis for organic molecules

When it comes to molecular analysis, a large spectrum of offers are suggested by contract research organizations: labelling services, biomarkers development, etc.

The development of high-throughput screening (HTS) services opens up gates to faster discovery. While speed up the time to screening, high-throughput screening substantially decreases the cost of the analysis. To perform a series of analysis, outsourcing to CRO that perform HTS actually worths consideration.

In the last decades, some methods emerged such as HPLC or mass spectrometry. They are now well defined and standardized. Therefore, CROs are now delivering services related to HPLC. The lab, that wishes to outsource such analysis, needs to watch out if the required standards are met by the hired CRO.

Labs can expect to outsource a lot of analysis to CROs. To isolate a component, to characterize it, to sequence it, or to engineer a molecule. Of course, each provider has its own expertise, and it would be hazardous to engage with a CRO without checking its core expertise. For instance, a company providing peptide mapping services may not be qualified for the characterization of proteins.

Analysis related to protein

The study of proteins covers a large spectrum of application in drug discovery, food and more. Services offered by companies and academic labs related to proteomics are also very diverse. Some labs get specialized in engineering protein and offer their expertise as contract research to develop specific structure. Others sell kits to determine the concentration of protein in a sample. Actually, many methods exist to characterize or to map a protein, and for each of them, labs can find an expert to work with. For instance, gel electrophoresis, better known under SDS-Page analysis, can be outsourced to CROs.

Research on antibodies (or immunoglobulin) is a large component of the R&D related to protein. Services abound to analyze antibodies, especially to characterize them. One of the popular technique to determine the structure of an antibody is the crystallography. Some companies offer to apply X-ray crystallography to determine antibodies’ structure. To study the biomolecular interactions of a protein, you can hire surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experts.

By Evgeny Pelevin (Own work)

To enable a recombinant production of your antibody, sequencing is necessary. It will allow novel engineering based on the studied antibodies. Do not forget first to protect the intellectual property of the antibody sequence. Again, you would need to hire experts in sequencing antibodies.

Antibodies are also used to diagnose infectious diseases. For this purpose, suppliers have developed kits based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Analysis of genetic materials

Amongst the standardized tests, many are related to the analysis of genetic material. Now, some technique became standard such as CRISPR or qPCR analysis. Therefore there is no specific added-value in performing these standard analyzes in-house.

In particular, over the last half-century sequencing techniques have been developed and optimized. Many companies specialized in related methods and are now offering services based on their long experience sequencing genetic material. Some of these companies have specialized in analyzing DNA and other CROs focused in RNA.

Other manipulation of the genome can be performed by external companies, such as hybridation. For instance, DNA microarrays can be purchased for further experimentation, leaving only the added-value tasks to the lab team. This thought applies also to the production of reporter genes assays when you are developing a drug.

Analysis of materials

Life-scientists and biochemists are not the only one to have samples to analyze. Material scientists and engineers too. To address their specific needs companies and CROs emerged. For instance, they can analyze complex material or mixture with methods such as gas chromatography, which will isolate each compound of the sample.

Here are few examples of analytic services you may find on Scientist.