News & Featured Publications
Track HCP profile during bioprocess
September 16, 2026
Applied Biomics offers comprehensive HCP profiling services to visualize and quantify changes in host cell protein (HCP) profiles across bioprocess purification steps.
1. Qualitative Analysis: Customers can visualize HCP compositions, modifications and fragmentations in a high resolution, large 2D image. This cannot be achieved by ELISA, LC-MSMS or other platforms.
2. Quantitative Analysis: HCP profiles can be compared quantitatively using four complementary measures::
- Total detected spots in each sample
- Unique and overlapping spots between samples
- Global similarity: Percentage of spots that are decreased, similar, or increased between samples using selected protein-ratio cutoffs (examples below use 2-fold and 5-fold cutoffs)
- HCP quantitation: Quantify individual HCP or DS in each sample.
In addition, the spot map provides a visual overview of HCP distribution at a selected fold-change cutoff. The example below compares CHO_S1 with CHO_S2 using a 2-fold cutoff. Red, green, and yellow indicate spots that are increased >2-fold, decreased >2-fold, or within 2-fold, respectively.
3. Broad Applicability
Our proprietary sample-preparation protocols have been optimized for major host-cell systems used to produce recombinant therapeutic proteins. The assay can achieve sensitivity down to 0.1 ng/spot, equivalent to 1 ppm at a 0.1 mg total-protein load.
4. Cost-Effective
Each assay can simultaneously test and compare up to three samples, enabling direct side-by-side profiling while reducing cost and analytical variability.
Contact us to discuss how HCP profiling can help monitor clearance and process consistency across your purification workflow.
Comparing two powerful proteomics platforms: 2D DIGE-MS vs LC-MS/MS
August 13, 2026
Applied Biomics offers both 2D DIGE-MS (gel based) and LC-MS/MS (liquid based) services. These are both powerful techniques for proteomics analysis, but they differ in their workflows and applications.
It is obvious that the separation of proteins by both Mw and pI is of higher resolution than that of large number of small peptides by hydrophobicity only. Of course, LCMSMS will achieve better resolutions if coupled with removing abundant proteins or fractionation, at an extra cost. LCMSMS is also less labor-intensive than 2D DIGE, with a single run capable of identifying thousands of proteins. On the other hand, 2D DIGE allows visualization of intact proteins, degradations and PTM forms, which no other platform can achieve. This makes 2D DIGE ideal for HCP antibody coverage and HCP profiling studies.
The following is a quick guide to help you decide which platform is more suitable for your project:
| Application | 2D DIGE – MS | LC – MS/MS | Preferred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Proteome Profiling | Good | Comprehensive | LC-MS/MS |
| Differential Expression | Good | Excellent | LC-MS/MS |
| PTM Site Identification | No | Yes | LC-MS/MS |
| Protein Isoforms | Excellent | Limited | 2D DIGE-MS |
| Protein Degradation | Excellent | Limited | 2D DIGE-MS |
| Visualize Intact Proteins | Yes | No | 2D DIGE-MS |
| Serum Proteomics | Excellent | Good, needsextra sample prep | 2D DIGE-MS |
| Large Scale Studies | Low-Med throughput | High throughput | LC-MS/MS |
| Quantitative Accuracy | High | High | LC-MS/MS |
| HCP Antibody Coverage | Excellent | Limited, needs AAE | 2D DIGE-MS |
| HCP Profile Visualization | Excellent | No | 2D DIGE-MS |
Contact us today to learn more about our 2D DIGE and LC-MS/MS services!
New Antigen Affinity Purified HCP Antibodies with 95% Coverage
July 15, 2026
An April 2026 study in Science Advances used our LC-MS/MS platform to identify key phosphorylation sites during the onset of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).
Previous research had identified UBC9 as a protein of interest in ALD. To further characterize its role, scientists immunoprecipitated UBC9-associated proteins from control and ethanol-exposed liver samples. The IP bead samples were processed by Applied Biomics for targeted LC-MS/MS analysis.
Our services enabled scientists to:
- Quantify phospho-peptide abundance and determine PTM site probabilities
- Successfully elute proteins from IP beads, & enrich their phospho-peptides
- Reliably detect the target protein UBC9 using targeted LC-MS/MS
- Identify and compare phosphorylation sites in ethanol-treated and control liver samples
Notably, phosphorylation at tyrosine 68 (Y68) was detected exclusively in ethanol-exposed samples and was absent in controls. Subsequent validation studies confirmed that Y68 plays an important role in inflammatory signaling pathways in liver cells, highlighting its potential significance in ALD pathogenesis.
This study demonstrates how targeted phosphoproteomics can uncover disease-associated signaling mechanisms and accelerate the identification of biologically relevant post-translational modifications (PTMs).
Comments
Identification of phosphorylation sites is challenging due to the low abundance of phosphopeptides. Our service incorporates phosphopeptide enrichment followed by optimized targeted MS/MS workflows, enabling reliable detection and accurate quantification of phosphorylation sites.
New Antigen Affinity Purified HCP Antibodies with 95% Coverage
June 17, 2026
Press release published in BizWire on June 24, 2026
We are excited to announce the launch of our Antigen Affinity Purified Host Cell Protein Antibodies! As a leading provider of HCP analysis solutions and HCP products, we have developed these exceptionally high-performance HCP antibodies for biopharmaceutical process development and quality control.
Unlike conventional antigen affinity-purified antibodies, which often recognize only a limited subset of host cell proteins, our Antigen Affinity Purified CHO HCP Antibody was specifically developed to maximize HCP coverage, an essential characteristic for capture antibodies used in HCP ELISA assays.
This antibody is affinity purified from our goat anti-CHO HCP polyclonal antibody, which demonstrates >99% HCP coverage. In an internal 2D Western blot evaluation against CHO host cell proteins, our Antigen Affinity Purified CHO HCP Antibody achieved 95% CHO HCP coverage, compared with 66% coverage with a leading commercially available antigen affinity-purified CHO HCP antibody.
Key Features:
- 95% overall coverage
- Compatible with:
- ELISA (capture and detection antibody)
- 1D Western Blot
- 2D Western Blot
- Immunoprecipitation (IP) for immunocapture LC-MS (IAC-MS)
- Broad reactivity with major CHO production cell lines, including CHO-S, CHO-K1, CHO-GS and CHO-DG44
- Complements Applied Biomics’ existing Serum and IgG CHO HCP antibody product portfolio
Level Up Protein Identification with Data-Independent Acquisition
May 20, 2026
Need more protein hits? Missing low-abundance proteins in your samples?
Traditional data-dependent acquisition (DDA) LC-MS/MS methods target only a limited number of MS2 precursors, meaning not all proteins present in your sample are detected. In contrast, data-independent acquisition (DIA) fragments and searches all precursors. This significantly expands protein coverage, improving the detection of low abundant proteins during LC-MS/MS.
Data-Backed Performance
In our internal LC-MS/MS study of media samples, DIA outperformed DDA across every peptide threshold. The greatest gains were seen at the lower-abundance confidence levels:
- >2 peptides: 407 proteins detected with DIA vs. 211 with DDA
- >5 peptides: 222 proteins detected with DIA vs. 144 with DDA
Comments:
Overall, the experiment identified 478 proteins with DIA compared with 289 proteins with DDA, demonstrating substantially improved proteome coverage.
We have optimized our DIA workflows in the following aspects:
- Customized sample types
- Optimized LC-MS/MS gradient and parameters
- Data analysis and output with our own scripts
Contact us today to learn how DIA can improve sensitivity and expand protein identification in your LC-MS projects.
Revealing Breast Cancer Biomarkers with 2D DIGE
April 15, 2026
A study published in Advances in Cancer Biology – Metastasis investigated the role of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) in regulating tumor progression and therapeutic response in BRCA1-associated basal-like breast cancer. Using our 2D DIGE and Mass Spectrometry platform, scientists characterized proteomic changes associated with miR-146a signaling and EGFR pathway regulation.
In the study, control and miR-146a-overexpressing samples were compared using 2D DIGE to identify key biomarkers in the EGFR pathway. The differentially expressed spots were then subject to protein identification by mass spectrometry, enabling precise comparison of protein abundance changes in both in vitro cell models and in vivo xenograft tumor samples.
In total, 47 and 36 proteins were significantly altered in vitro and in vivo, respectively, with 6 overlapping proteins. These proteins were associated 140 and 50 pathways in vitro and in vivo, respectively, with 26 overlapping pathways. Many of the pathways are critical to tumor growth and drug resistance. Importantly, the study showed that miR-146a acts as a tumor suppressor by attenuating EGFR-driven signaling cascades and disrupting pathways that promote cell proliferation.
Figure 1: Differential expression of proteins in vitro and in vivo, with their significant pathways.
Comments:
The challenge of finding reliable disease biomarkers is not only to detect protein-level changes, but also to validate these findings using an independent approach. The data here confirmed that our 2D DIGE/LCMSMS platform serves as an ideal platform to achieve both objectives.
Learn more about how our 2D DIGE and Mass Spectrometry services can support your research!
HEK HCP Antigens for Reliable & Cost-Effective HCP Assay Development
February 18, 2026
Applied Biomics now offers HEK HCP Antigens to support your bioprocess workflow:
- HEK-Derived Antigen: Harvested from null HEK cells cultured in protein-free media, providing a representative and biologically relevant HCP profile.
- Optimized for HCP Assay Applications: Ideal for 1D/2D Western blot, ELISA, spike/recovery, and positive controls.
- Low cost: Priced significantly lower than comparable alternative
- $379 for 0.2 mg
- $1269 for 1.0 mg
Figure 1: 1D Gel image of HEK HCP Antigen
Applications Across the Bioprocess Workflow
- Antibody generation & screening for anti-HCP method development
- ELISA calibration and positive control reference
- Coverage analysis using orthogonal techniques (2D DIGE, 2D Western blot, immune-affinity purifications)
- Downstream clearance studies and process validation
Why choose Applied Biomics Products?
- Represents the true complexity of HEK cell HCPs
- Ready-to-use and compatible with all major assay formats
- Backed by 20+ years of proteomics expertise and validated methodologies
Limited-Time Offer:
Get 30% off when you order our HEK HCP Antigen with our HCP Analysis Services. Use promo code ABO30HEK at checkout.
Happy 2026! Get 10% Off All Mass Spec Orders!
January 14, 2026
Happy New Year! As a thank-you for your continued support, we’re pleased to offer an exclusive 10% discount on all Mass Spectrometry services!
This sale includes the following:
- LC-MS/MS on all complexity samples
- BioPharma Mass Spec services
- Protein ID on 1D gel bands / 2D spots
Deal ends February 28th! This limited-time offer is the perfect opportunity to accelerate your research and kickstart your 2026 projects. The discount is available to both existing and new customers, using code ABO2026MS.
Terms: Discount does not apply to previously quoted, ongoing, or completed projects. Standard service terms and conditions apply. A minimum of 10 samples is required for each 2D spot order. For all other mass spectrometry services, a minimum of 5 samples is required for each order.
Protein Profiling of Erythrocytes Reveals Key Changes in Alcohol Use Disorder
November 12, 2025
A recent study published in International Journal of Molecular Science used Applied Biomics’ 2D Gel and Mass Spectrometry Services to investigate proteomic alterations in erythrocytes from patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Our high-resolution 2D gel workflow enabled researchers to compare membrane and cytosolic proteins from AUD patients, social drinkers, and non-drinkers to identify molecular changes linked to chronic alcohol exposure.
Our 2D gel-based proteomic analysis enabled clear visualization of protein expression differences, followed by high-resolution mass spectrometry for precise protein identification. This approach revealed differential expression of key proteins involved in cytoskeletal integrity, metabolism, and oxidative stress response. Notably, several cytoskeletal proteins such as spectrin-α and actin cytoplasmic 2 were upregulated in AUD patients. In contrast, downregulated proteins included biphosphoglycerate mutase and band 3 anion transport protein. These findings are consistent with altered erythrocyte stability and metabolic stress.
Comments:
This study highlights the value of Applied Biomics’ 2D Gel and Mass Spectrometry services in translational research. Our advanced proteomic platforms are ideally suited for biomarker discovery, disease mechanism studies, and comparative protein expression analysis across clinical and experimental models.
Learn more about how our 2D Gel and Mass Spectrometry services can advance your proteomic research.
CHO HCP Antigens for HCP Assay Development
October 15, 2025
Need an effective and affordable antigen for your HCP assays?
Applied Biomics has now added CHO HCP Antigens to support your HCP analysis applications:
- CHO-Derived Antigen: Harvested from null CHO cells cultured in protein-free media, providing a representative and biologically relevant HCP profile.
- Designed for HCP antibody coverage analysis by 1D/2D Western blot & ELISA. Perfect for spike/recovery testing. Serves as HCP standard or positive control in HCP ELISA kit development.
- Low cost: $379 for 0.2 mg and $1269 for 1.0 mg, significantly lower than comparable products
Applications Across the Bioprocess Workflow
- Antibody generation & screening for anti-HCP method development
- ELISA calibration and positive control reference
- Coverage analysis using orthogonal techniques (2D DIGE, 2D Western blot, immune-affinity purifications)
- Downstream clearance studies and process validation
Why Choose Applied Biomics Products?
- Represents the true complexity of CHO cell HCPs
- Ready-to-use and compatible with all major assay formats
- Backed by 20 years of proteomics expertise and validated methodologies
Limited-Time Offer:
Get 30% off when you order our CHO HCP Antigen with our HCP Analysis Services. Use promo code ABO30HCP at checkout.
Optimizing Antibody and Sample Selection for HCP Antibody Coverage
September 17, 2025
According to FDA recommendations, the anti-HCP antiserum must be qualified to demonstrate sufficient coverage of host cell proteins by 2D Western Blot. Here we discuss 2 main components to ensure high coverage: antibody choice and sample type selection.
1. Choosing the Right Antibody:
The ideal antibody must:
- Detect HCPs with wide dynamic range, especially those at low abundance
- Detect both high- and low–molecular weight HCPs
- Detect HCPs and all their isoforms
- Demonstrate consistently high coverage by ELISA
Our in-house antibodies are specially designed to excel across all these criteria.
Example 1: When tested against the HEK293 HCP sample, coverage differed significantly: 71.7% with a third-party antibody vs. 96.9% with our in-house antibody. Quadrant analysis of our in-house HEK antibody also demonstrated 93.2 – 99.6% per quadrant.
O2. Choosing the Right Sample Type:
HCP sample type (culture supernatant, cell pellets, lysates, etc.) can dramatically impact antibody coverage, even when using the same antibody.
Example 2: When the same antibody was tested against different CHO cell samples, the following was observed: 97.1% coverage with CHO supernatant (CHO-S) vs. 70.0% coverage with CHO pellets (CHO-P)
Using the appropriate antibody and sample, our HCP Antibody Coverage platform enables robust 2D Western blot analysis to demonstrate optimal coverage, supporting compliance with regulatory expectations and facilitating a smooth filing process.
For a limited time, receive 50% off our in-house antibody when paired with HCP antibody coverage services – use code ABO50HCP. Offer ends October 31, 2025 and does not apply to any previous order.
Questions? Connect with our scientists for a free session to customize your study design
News Release: Applied Biomics Offers Qualitative and Quantitative Host Cell Protein (HCP) Profiling Analysis
February 19, 2020
From Business Wire:
Applied Biomics, Inc., a leading Proteomics service provider, adds a HCP profiling analysis using their well established high resolution, large format 2-Dimensional Differential In-Gel Electrophoresis (2D DIGE) platform. This assay can be used to monitor HCP contamination during the purification process thus helps to improve purification strategy, specifically:
1) Visualize and overlay the HCP images between different samples
2) Quantitate HCP content by spot counting and PPM for each sample
3) Quantitate the purity of product or drug substance (DS) by spot counting and PPM
4) Quantitatively compare HCP content by fold-change and overall similarity between samples