BDS brings light to food safety

Reporter gene bioassays for detection of very low levels of compounds

Amsterdam-based BioDetection Systems' (BDS) innovative CALUX® cells have been tailored so that they produce light in a dose-dependent way when exposed to certain chemicals. The CALUX assays are based on the mechanism of action at the mammalian cellular level, which implies biological relevance of the assay results. The CALUX technology offers rapid bioassays for the

BDS Lab

detection of a wide range of contaminants like dioxins and is applicable to a wide variety of food and feed matrices. CALUX services are ISO17025/GMP+ accredited and are accepted in international legislation.

The history of BDS reflects the benefits of the Dutch public/private partnership programs and networks. Eight years ago, in 2001, the company was set up by toxicology professor Abraham Brouwer. The successful course of an STW-funded research project, aimed at identification of dioxin in food, water and soil, inspired Brouwer to establish BDS. Technology Foundation STW is funding excellent, utilization-oriented technology research at Dutch universities and at selected institutions, by bringing together, right from the start, researchers and potential users - often companies - of the results of that research. It enables scientists to develop the technology of the future while offering companies opportunities to use or integrate technology into their new products. These companies provide input as well as financial or other contributions to the project. This method leads to the birth of innovative networks, and, as illustrated here, may initiate the birth of new companies, like BDS.

CALUX principle - Broad range of assays available

Illustration of CALUX transduction pathway

CALUX stands for Chemically Activated LUciferase EXpression and utilizes the luciferase gene from the North American firefly. This gene is incorporated in the DNA of specially selected cell lines, and of which the expression is under control of transcription factors that are responsive to the chemical of interest. Exposure of the cells to the chemicals of interest results in the production of luciferase and the emission of light (i.e. bioluminescence). The amount of light produced is proportional to the amount of chemicals present, which can be related to a reference standard. This signal predicts the biological effect that can be expected from exposure to the contaminants of known and unknown origins.

As a first product, BDS has developed the DR CALUX® bioassay for measurement of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds such as several PCBs. Dioxins are highly stable organic molecules. The combination of high toxicity and extreme chemical and biological stability is the main reason that dioxins have been described as some of the most toxic materials known to man. Dioxins enter the general population almost exclusively from ingestion of food, specifically through the consumption of fish, meat, and dairy products since dioxins are fat-soluble and readily climb the food chain. In 1994, the U.S. EPA reported that dioxins are a probable carcinogen, but noted that non-cancerous effects on reproduction, sexual development, and the immune system may pose an even greater threat to human health. The DR CALUX assay displays sensitivity down to the femtogramme (10^-15 gramme) of dioxin toxic equivalent quotient level, can analyze large numbers of samples simultaneously, and is low in cost as compared to instrumental techniques. Therefore, its use as a rapid analytical screening tool is unrivalled.

Two BDS laboratory assistants

BDS successfully continued its activities acquiring ample experience in setting up other ultra-sensitive and cost-effective bioluminescence assays, which are now available. The areas of application of these assays are diverse, and include, in addition to toxicological monitoring, pharmaceutical and clinical monitoring of chemicals. Examples include assays for the detection of estrogens, androgens, thyroid hormones, retinoids, glucocorticoids, progestins, DNA-damaging agents and cytokines. In addition, custom-made assays can be developed by BDS.

Innovative strength guaranteed by (inter)national cooperation

BDS has a broad knowledge base and is actively involved in various research projects. As an innovative company, BDS continually explores new options based on the same bioluminesence test principle. Currently, BDS coordinates a project within the framework of the Food & Nutrition Delta Program, co-funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. A new bioassay aimed at measurement of health effects of compounds from tomatoes, for example flavonoids, is being developed. This project represents a collaboration with Syngenta Seeds, RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety, Plant Research International and Wageningen University. The validated bioassay may help food companies in substantiating their nutritional claims. Furthermore, BDS is a key industrial partner in the Netherlands Toxicogenomics Centre, which is involved in validating many novel technologies, and a partner in the Dutch Top Institute Pharma, which is involved in predicting adverse drug reactions.

International cooperation is considered crucial. BDS has an extensive network and participates in, among others, the ReProTect, Techneau and NewGeneris projects co-funded by the European Commission under the 6th Framework program. These projects address, respectively, alternatives to animal testing in reproductive toxicology, cost-effective strategies and technologies for safe drinking water supply, and the role of prenatal and early life exposure to genotoxic chemicals in the development of childhood cancer and immune disorders.

BDS team

Contact Details:
BDS welcomes new clients and research
contacts - for information, please visit their
website: www.biodetectionsystems.nl
or contact:

Bart van der Burg, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
bart.van.der.burg@bds.nl
Telephone: + 31 20 4350750

Harrie Besselink, PhD
Head Service Laboratories
harrie.besselink@bds.nl
Telephone: + 31 20 4350750