Immunology Assays
Immunology CRO Services for Preclinical Drug Discovery
Advancing immunology programs requires reliable, human-relevant systems that translate effectively into the clinic. Our immunology CRO services are designed to support preclinical drug discovery through robust, reproducible in vitro immunology platforms. We specialise in human immune cell models, enabling precise evaluation of compound activity across key immune pathways and disease-relevant mechanisms.
Using a range of immune cell assays, including primary PBMC and T cell-based systems, we generate high-quality data to inform decision-making from early screening through to candidate selection. Our flexible approach allows integration of customised study designs, relevant stimulation conditions, and multi-endpoint readouts tailored to your programme needs. By combining scientific expertise with scalable assay platforms, we help de-risk development and accelerate the progression of innovative therapeutics
What is an immunology CRO?
An immunology CRO is a contract research organisation that supports preclinical immunology research by providing specialised expertise, laboratory infrastructure, and validated assay platforms to evaluate immune responses.
Typically, an immunology CRO offers:
- Immunology assays to measure cytokine release, immune activation, and pathway modulation
- Immune cell assay services using primary human cells such as PBMCs, T cells, and myeloid populations
- In vitro models to assess compound effects under controlled, disease-relevant conditions
- Support for preclinical immunology research, including study design, execution, and data analysis
- Access to human biospecimens, including healthy and disease-specific donor material
These services help researchers generate consistent, high-quality data without the need for in-house assay development. By leveraging established platforms and scientific expertise, immunology CROs enable more efficient evaluation of therapeutic candidates across a range of immune-mediated diseases.
Our immunology CRO services
Our immunology CRO services are designed to support preclinical programmes with flexible, human-relevant assay platforms. We deliver a range of exvivo/in vitro immunology assays to evaluate immune responses, mechanism of action, and therapeutic potential across diverse indications.
Our capabilities include:
- Immune cell functional assays using primary human cells such as PBMCs, T cells, and myeloid populations
- Cytokine profiling and pathway analysis to assess immune activation and modulation
- Custom immunology assays tailored to specific targets, pathways, and study objectives
- Flexible assay formats supporting screening, mechanistic studies, and comparative analysis
We work closely with clients to design studies that align with their scientific goals, ensuring robust, reproducible data generation to inform decision-making throughout drug development.
Immune cell assay expertise
We specialise in developing and executing high-quality immune cell assays that provide clinically relevant insights for preclinical programmes. Our expertise spans a wide range of primary human immune cell types, enabling detailed evaluation of compound activity within physiologically meaningful systems.
Our immune cell assay capabilities include:
PBMC-based assays
Myeloid cell assays
CD4+ and CD8+ T cell assays
Co-culture systems
Whole blood assays
We routinely apply a range of stimulation strategies, such as receptor-mediated activation (e.g. anti-CD3/CD28), cytokine-driven pathways, or disease-relevant triggers, allowing interrogation of specific immune mechanisms. Readouts are tailored to study objectives and include multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex), ELISA, flow cytometry-based phenotyping, and functional endpoints such as proliferation and cytotoxicity.
A key strength of our approach is the use of human immune cell models, including both healthy donor-derived and disease-specific samples. This is supported by our in-house phlebotomy and donor recruitment capability, enabling access to fresh, high-quality primary cells for enhanced physiological relevance. This approach allows more predictive assessment of therapeutic candidates compared to traditional systems. We also offer flexibility in donor selection, sample sourcing, and assay design to support both exploratory and higher-throughput screening studies.
Our focus on reproducibility, assay robustness, and biological relevance ensures that generated data can confidently inform decision-making, from early discovery through to candidate selection in immunology-driven drug development.
PBMC assay services
Our PBMC assay services are designed to deliver robust, human-relevant insights for immunology and inflammation research. We offer a wide range of PBMC assays using both cryopreserved and fresh PBMC assays, enabling flexible study designs aligned to preclinical objectives. By leveraging physiologically relevant stimulation systems and multi-donor approaches, our PBMC assay services support reliable evaluation of compound effects on immune function.
A key strength of our PBMC assays is access to fresh PBMC assays derived from on-site donor recruitment, allowing same-day isolation and use of primary immune cells for enhanced biological relevance. These PBMC assay services enable assessment of immune responses under controlled conditions, including T cell activation (e.g. anti-CD3/CD28), innate immune stimulation (e.g. LPS), and pathway-specific triggers such as NOD2 or inflammasome activation. Across these PBMC assays, we routinely measure cytokines such as TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17, and IL-23 using multiplex platforms, ELISA, and gene expression analysis.
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Our PBMC assay services also support a range of functional endpoints through customised PBMC assays, including:
- Cytokine release profiling using multiplex (Luminex) and ELISA-based platforms
- T cell activation and proliferation assays within mixed PBMC populations
- Innate immune activation models (e.g. LPS, MDP, inflammasome pathways)
- Dose–response and mechanism-of-action studies in fresh PBMC assays
- Multi-donor variability assessment to capture biological diversity
These scalable PBMC assay services provide reproducible, high-quality data to support screening, mechanistic studies, and translational decision-making in immunology programmes.
T-cell functional assays
Our T cell assays are designed to evaluate key aspects of adaptive immune responses, providing detailed insights into T cell activation, differentiation, and effector function. As part of our broader immune cell functional assays, we develop and run highly controlled immune activation assays using primary human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells or PBMC-derived systems.
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Our T cell assays enable assessment of:
- Cytokine secretion (e.g. IL-2, IFNγ, IL-17, TNFα)
- T cell proliferation under defined stimulation conditions
- Phenotypic changes using flow cytometry-based analysis
- Differentiation pathways including Th1, Th2, and Th17
We offer a wide range of T cell assays tailored to specific programme needs, including receptor-mediated activation (e.g. anti-CD3/CD28), antigen-specific stimulation, and disease-relevant triggers such as allergens or cytokine environments. These immune activation assays can be adapted for:
- Screening and lead optimisation studies
- Mechanism-of-action investigations
- Potency and dose–response evaluation
- Multi-donor variability assessment
Through flexible study design and robust assay platforms, our T cell assays provide reproducible, high-quality data to support preclinical decision-making. We also offer customisation of cell source, stimulation conditions, and analytical readouts to align closely with your research objectives.
B-cell assay services
Our B cell assays are designed to support the evaluation of humoral immune responses within preclinical programmes. As part of our broader adaptive immunity assays, we develop and execute B lymphocyte assays using primary human B cells to assess activation, differentiation, and antibody-related functions.
Our B cell assays enable assessment of:
- B cell activation and differentiation under defined stimulation conditions
- Antibody secretion (e.g. IgE, IgG)
- Cytokine release profiling from B cell populations
- Phenotypic characterisation using flow cytometry
We offer a range of B cell assays tailored to specific research needs, including stimulation with agents such as CpG or cytokines to drive B cell activation and immunoglobulin production. Our B lymphocyte assays utilise robust analytical platforms:
- Multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex)
- ELISA for targeted antibody and cytokine measurement
- Flow cytometry for immune cell phenotyping
These adaptive immunity assays can be configured to investigate:
- Normal immune function
- Disease-relevant pathways in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions
- Mechanism-of-action and target validation studies
Our flexible approach to B cell assays allows integration of customised donor selection, assay conditions, and endpoints, ensuring alignment with your study objectives. These B lymphocyte assays deliver reproducible, high-quality data to support screening, mechanistic studies, and translational immunology research.
Macrophage and dendritic cell assays
Our macrophage assays and dendritic cell assays are designed to provide detailed insights into innate immune responses and antigen-presenting cell biology. As part of our broader innate immunity assays, we utilise primary human monocytes differentiated into macrophages or dendritic cells to evaluate immune activation, polarisation, and functional responses.
Our macrophage assays and dendritic cell assays enable assessment of:
- Immune activation and signalling pathways
- Macrophage polarisation (e.g. M1/M2 phenotypes)
- Antigen presentation and T cell priming
- Phagocytosis and functional activity
- Cytokine and chemokine release profiles
We offer a wide range of innate immunity assays tailored to programme needs, including:
- Macrophage assays such as M1/M2 polarisation models and phagocytosis assays
- Dendritic cell assays focused on maturation and antigen-presenting function
- Controlled stimulation systems (e.g. LPS, cytokines, pathway-specific triggers)
- Multi-parametric readouts including flow cytometry, ELISA, and multiplex cytokine analysis
These macrophage assays and dendritic cell assays can be adapted to investigate:
- Inflammation and immune regulation
- Disease-specific mechanisms
- Mechanism-of-action and pathway studies
With flexible study design and access to primary human cells, our innate immunity assays deliver robust, reproducible data to support screening, mechanistic studies, and translational research.
Neutrophil assay services
Our neutrophil assays are designed to evaluate key aspects of innate immune function, providing insights into rapid immune responses and inflammation. As part of our broader immune activation assays, we utilise freshly isolated human neutrophils to assess functional responses under physiologically relevant conditions. These neutrophil assays are particularly valuable for studying early-stage immune events and inflammatory response models.
Our neutrophil assays enable detailed assessment of:
- Chemotaxis and cell migration in response to chemoattractants
- Phagocytosis and microbial clearance mechanisms
- Oxidative burst activity and reactive oxygen species production
- NETosis (neutrophil extracellular trap formation)
- Cytokine and enzyme release profiles
We offer a comprehensive range of immune activation assays incorporating:
- Disease-relevant stimuli (e.g. IL-8, fMLP, PMA)
- Quantitative readouts including fluorescence-based assays and flow cytometry
- Cytokine and biomarker analysis using multiplex and ELISA platforms
- Customisable assay formats for specific pathways and targets
These inflammatory response models support:
- Screening and lead optimisation studies
- Mechanism-of-action investigations
- Dose–response and potency evaluation
Our flexible neutrophil assays can be tailored to specific study objectives. By combining robust assay design with access to primary human cells, we deliver reproducible, high-quality data to support translational immunology research.
Eosinophil assay services
Our eosinophil assays are designed to support the study of allergic inflammation and respiratory disease biology through physiologically relevant human models. Using primary human eosinophils, we develop robust inflammatory response models to evaluate cell activation, migration, and compound-mediated modulation of eosinophil function.
Our eosinophil assays enable assessment of:
- Eosinophil activation and functional responses
- Cell migration and chemotaxis in response to chemoattractants
- Mediator release and inflammatory signalling
- Compound-mediated inhibition or enhancement of responses
A key focus of our eosinophil assays is chemotaxis, allowing detailed evaluation of migration driven by disease-relevant chemoattractants such as eotaxins and leukotrienes. These assays incorporate:
- IL-5 priming of eosinophils to enhance physiological relevance
- Transwell-based migration systems for controlled chemotaxis studies
- Quantitative readouts including luminescence-based cell counting and fluorescence intensity
- Assessment of basal vs stimulated migration and inhibition by test compounds
Our flexible eosinophil assays can be tailored to specific project needs, including:
- Dose–response and potency studies
- Antagonist and pathway inhibition analysis
- Custom inflammatory response models aligned to disease biology
By combining biologically relevant cell systems with reproducible assay formats, we provide high-quality data to support translational research in allergy, asthma, and immune-mediated diseases.
Monocyte assay services
Our monocyte assays are designed to investigate key aspects of innate immune function, supporting the development of physiologically relevant inflammatory response models. Using primary human CD14+ monocytes, we develop robust immune activation assays to evaluate cell migration, cytokine production, and differentiation into downstream cell types such as macrophages and dendritic cells.
Our monocyte assays enable assessment of:
- Monocyte activation and cytokine production
- Cell migration and chemotaxis in response to chemoattractants
- Differentiation into macrophages and dendritic cells
- Immune signalling pathway activation
- Compound-mediated modulation of innate immune responses
A central component of our monocyte assays is chemotaxis, allowing precise evaluation of migration driven by factors such as MCP-1 (CCL2) and SDF-1. These assays incorporate:
- Transwell-based migration systems for controlled chemotaxis studies
- Quantitative readouts including luminescence and imaging-based cell counting
- Assessment of basal vs stimulated migration
- Evaluation of compound-mediated inhibition or enhancement
Our flexible monocyte assays can be tailored to specific study objectives, including:
- Dose–response and potency studies
- Pathway-specific and mechanistic investigations
- Integration into broader inflammatory response models
By combining primary human cells with reproducible assay platforms, we generate high-quality data to support translational research across immunology and inflammation programmes.
FACS analysis services
Our FACS analysis services utilise advanced flow cytometry platforms to provide high-resolution insights into immune cell populations and functional states. We support comprehensive immune cell phenotyping across a range of primary human cell types, enabling detailed characterisation of surface markers, intracellular proteins, and pathway-specific responses.
Our FACS analysis capabilities enable:
- Identification of immune cell subsets (e.g. T cells, B cells, myeloid cells)
- Assessment of activation and differentiation markers
- Intracellular cytokine staining for functional profiling
- Quantification of pathway-specific signalling responses
- Multi-parametric immune cell phenotyping in complex populations
Using advanced flow cytometry, our workflows support:
- Analysis under both baseline and stimulated conditions
- Evaluation of compound effects on immune modulation
- Integration with immune cell functional assays for deeper insights
- High-dimensional data generation for translational studies
Our flexible FACS analysis workflows can be tailored to project needs, including:
- Custom panel design and multi-colour staining strategies
- Optimised gating and data analysis pipelines
- Adaptation to specific cell types and disease models
By combining technical expertise with reproducible flow cytometry methods, we deliver high-quality immune cell phenotyping data to support preclinical and translational immunology research.
Cytokine release and inflammatory biomarker assays
Our cytokine release assays are designed to quantify immune responses and characterise inflammatory signalling in physiologically relevant systems. As part of our broader immune activation assays, we measure key cytokines and chemokines released from primary human immune cells following controlled stimulation. These cytokine release assays provide critical insights into immune modulation, supporting both efficacy and safety evaluation
We offer a comprehensive range of cytokine release assays and inflammatory biomarker assays using sensitive, scalable platforms:
- Multiplex cytokine profiling (Luminex) for simultaneous detection of multiple analytes
- ELISA-based cytokine quantification for targeted, high-sensitivity measurements
- Key biomarkers measured including TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-23, and chemokines
- Application across cell systems including PBMCs, T cells, and myeloid models
- Integration with immune activation assays to assess pathway-specific responses
Our flexible cytokine release assays can be tailored to specific study needs, including:
- Dose–response and potency studies
- Time-course analysis of cytokine kinetics
- Multi-donor variability assessment
- Custom inflammatory biomarker panels aligned to disease biology
By combining robust inflammatory biomarker assays with well-controlled immune activation assays, we deliver high-quality, reproducible data to support preclinical immunology research and decision-making.
Therapeutic area expertise
Our immunology platforms are applied across a broad range of disease areas, enabling translational insights in complex immune-driven conditions. We support preclinical programmes with human-relevant models tailored to specific therapeutic indications, helping to bridge early discovery and clinical development.
Our expertise spans:
Inflammation
Comprehensive models to study cytokine signalling, immune activation, and chronic inflammatory pathways
Immuno-oncology
Evaluation of immune checkpoint activity, tumour–immune interactions, and anti-tumour responses
Autoimmune disease
Mechanistic studies of dysregulated immune responses in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
Respiratory disease
Models relevant to asthma, COPD, and airway inflammation using primary human immune and tissue-derived cells
Dermatology
Immune-driven skin disease models including psoriasis and inflammatory skin conditions
Fibrosis
Investigation of immune–fibrotic interactions across multiple organ systems
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Assessment of gut-specific immune responses and cytokine pathways relevant to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Why choose CellomaticsÂ
- Fresh human immune cell access via on-site donor recruitment
- In-house healthy donor recruitment enabling consistent, high-quality samples
- Expertise in complex human cell models including primary and disease-relevant systems
- Low- to high-throughput assay capability supporting both screening and mechanistic studies
- Bespoke experimental design tailored to your specific scientific objectives
- Access to diverse tissue and cell sources including healthy and disease-state samples
- Fast turnaround times aligned with project timelines
- Direct access to scientists for collaborative study design and communication
- Proven track record across immunology, inflammation, and related therapeutic areas
Request more information
For a more in depth look at our Immunology expertise, click the button below to gain access to our Immunology Hub with a detailed look at our data sets and offering.
FAQ
An immunology CRO provides specialised laboratory services to support preclinical research, including the design and execution of immunology assays. This typically involves evaluating immune responses, cytokine signalling, and mechanism of action using human-relevant in vitro systems.
A wide range of primary human immune cells can be used, including PBMCs, T cells, B cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils. The choice depends on the biological question, target pathway, and disease area being studied.
Yes, PBMC assays can be tailored to specific study requirements, including stimulation conditions, donor selection, and assay endpoints. This allows flexibility for screening, mechanistic studies, and evaluation of immune modulation across different pathways.
Immunology CRO studies support a broad range of diseases, including inflammation, autoimmune disease, immuno-oncology, respiratory conditions, dermatology, fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Assays are adapted to reflect disease-relevant biology and pathways.
Yes, fresh human immune cells can be sourced through in-house donor recruitment or external networks. This enables access to high-quality, physiologically relevant samples for more predictive in vitro studies.
Request a consultation with Cellomatics Biosciences today
Our experienced team of in vitro laboratory scientists will work with you to understand your project and provide a bespoke project plan with a professional, flexible service and a fast turnaround time.
To request a consultation where we can discuss your exact requirements, please contact Cellomatics Biosciences.
