A Q&A with Dr. Batista Jr. and Dr. Dariolli from Bonds Biosystems
The future of cancer research is rapidly evolving, driven by cutting-edge technologies that offer deeper insights into cellular metabolism and therapeutic responses. Seahorse technology, an advanced metabolic analysis tool, transforms how researchers identify metabolic vulnerabilities specific to cancer cells. In this exclusive Q&A, we speak with guests Dr. Batista Jr., CEO/CSO and Director of Adipose Tissue modeling at Bonds Biosystems, and Dr. Dariolli, CEO/CSO and Director of Cardiovascular modeling at Bonds Biosystems, both of whom have successfully co-Founded Bonds Biosystems.
Can you explain what Seahorse technology is?
Bonds Biosystems: Seahorse technology, originally developed by Seahorse Bioscience and later acquired by Agilent Technologies, is an advanced metabolic analysis tool enabling the real-time measurement of cellular metabolism by quantifying the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). It provides rapid, simultaneous insights into mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis within living cells, facilitating a deeper understanding of cellular bioenergetics.
How does Seahorse technology measure cellular metabolism uniquely compared to traditional methods?
Bonds Biosystems: Traditional methods typically involve endpoint assays that provide static snapshots of metabolism, requiring cell lysis and offering limited dynamic information. Seahorse technology surpasses traditional metabolic assays by providing real-time, non-destructive measurements of metabolic fluxes, including oxygen consumption (OCR) and acidification rates (ECAR). This capability provides dynamic insights into metabolic flux under physiological conditions, offering significantly greater relevance and predictive accuracy for metabolic states and responses.
Additionally, The Seahorse platform incorporates a sophisticated drug injection system, allowing sequential addition of multiple compounds during assays. This system uniquely enables controlled modulation of cellular metabolism within the same experimental run. Researchers can directly compare the metabolic impacts of different drugs or metabolic modulators within the same cellular context, leading to deeper insights, enhanced precision, and improved reproducibility in drug testing.
What specific applications does Seahorse technology have in cancer research?
Bonds Biosystems: Specific applications include profiling cancer cell metabolism to identify therapeutic targets, assessing the metabolic impact of chemotherapeutic agents, screening for efficacy and toxicity of metabolic inhibitors, and evaluating resistance mechanisms to current therapies. Additionally, it helps select targeted treatments based on metabolic phenotypes and supports the development of novel metabolic therapies.
What is the impact of Seahorse technology in analyzing tumoroids for cancer research?
Bonds Biosystems: Seahorse technology dramatically enhances the analysis of tumoroids by providing real-time metabolic profiling, enabling researchers to distinguish metabolic differences between tumor types, predict drug responses, and identify metabolic vulnerability specific to cancer cells. This precision and depth are pivotal in understanding tumor biology and advancing personalized therapeutic approaches.
What are your long-term aspirations for the future of cancer research with Seahorse technology?
Bonds Biosystems: We envision Seahorse technology becoming integral to personalized medicine, where real-time metabolic profiling guides therapeutic choices and strategies. We aspire to standardize metabolic profiling as a routine component of cancer research and clinical diagnostics, ultimately allowing precision medicine to become a standard approach, significantly improving patient treatment outcomes.
Do you believe Seahorse technology can transform drug development as we know it?
Bonds Biosystems: Absolutely. Seahorse technology’s real-time, precise metabolic analysis has the potential to redefine drug development by enabling more informed decisions on drug candidates, reducing late-stage failures, and promoting targeted therapies with greater safety and efficacy. This transformative impact will significantly accelerate the development of personalized medicine approaches, directly benefiting patient care.
Interested in exploring Seahorse technology for your drug development?
SBH Sciences' extensive portfolio of over 400 cell lines combined with Bonds Biosystems' expertise in 3D cell modeling and Seahorse metabolic profiling creates a unique opportunity to accelerate drug efficacy evaluation, validate candidates, and uncover biomarkers. In collaboration, we can streamline high-throughput screening, advancing your research toward clinical applications.
SHARE