In vitro Tissue Pharmacology Services

At Asterand, we can obtain fresh tissue from most regions of the body. From these, isolated muscle preparations can be prepared and using classical pharmacological techniques, both desirable effects and potential side effects can be assessed. Compounds of interest can be profiled for agonist or antagonist activity, as well as potency and magnitude of effect, and their onset and duration of action.

Our expertise in functional pharmacology spans four key therapeutic areas:

• Respiratory



• Cardiovascular



• Urological



• Gastrointestinal

Our typical functional assays involve the assessment of:

• smooth muscle activity - contraction or relaxation
• cardiac muscle function - contractile force and rate
• nerve activation - neuronally mediated contraction / relaxation
• influence of endothelium / epithelium on muscle contraction

In addition, we welcome requests for developing custom assays to meet each client's specific requirements.

Human intestinal smooth muscle preparation in a standard organ bath, generating compound effect data (muscle contractility).

For further information, contact us at advantage@asterand.com