Hera Biolabs is an innovative preclinical service and technology provider with novel gene-editing and rat model creation technologies. We created the SRG™ rat, the first commercially available highly immunocompromised rat model, which has been validated for oncology and used routinely for human tumor xenograft studies (OncoRat®). We also have our own proprietary gene-editing technologies, piggyBac transposon and the Cas-CLOVER targeted nuclease system, platforms used for cell-line modification and animal model creation. Hera makes available to researchers in academia and industry our gene-editing technologies and products, as well as our SRG rat. Hera also provides services in these areas, performing cell engineering and in vitro and in vivo oncology studies for clients. Hera conducts all work with excellent scientific rigor and customer service at our laboratories, with a state-of-the art vivarium, in beautiful Lexington, KY.
Leveraging our enabling gene editing technologies, Hera offers differentiated products and services for both in vitro and in vivo oncology and immuno-oncology. Our in vitro capabilities include efficacy screening and genome editing for new model creation. The OncoRat is a reliable, efficient & robust complement to mouse xenograft models. As evidenced in our case studies OncoRat is a powerful host for new tumor model and PDX creation. While the OncoRat is still under development for humanization, cutting edge services are applied to the gold standard NSG mouse for immuno-oncology studies.
Gene editing technologies can enable valuable model creation for preclinical studies as demonstrated by the OncoRat and cell line engineering case studies. With access to Hera’s portfolio, piggyBac transposase and the CRISPR-like nuclease, Cas-CLOVER, targeting your gene of interest is right at your fingertips through our reagent products or gene editing services. With over a decade of validation and IP development these technologies have broad applications and clear freedom to operate.
Praise for Hera
“The tumor uptake rate was to 80-100%, which is a huge advantage because what we could achieve as a statistical significance with 8-12 mice, can be achieved with 5-6 OncoRats.” — Ramesh Narayanan, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine & Hematology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
“(The) Cas-CLOVER hybrid gene editing system fuses a functionally inactive Cas9 to the site-specific nuclease, Clo51. Cas-CLOVER is targeted using a set of two distinct gRNAs, operating like CRISPR-Cas9, but (the) system has the exquisite specificity of type IIS nucleases and causes no or very few off-target mutations. We can use this high-fidelity system to safely develop off-the-shelf CAR T-cell products.” Devon J. Shedlock, Ph.D., vice president, preclinical development, Poseida Therapeutics. GEN Article True CRISPR: A Genetic Genre with Novel Twists
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- Fine Needle Aspirate Serial Tumor Sampling Services to Boost Your Xenograft Study Capabilities - Xenograft tumors from human cancer cell lines in immunocompromised mice are a staple of pre-clinical oncology research. However, tumor size limits, small blood volume, and minimal toxicology capabilities are significant challenges when using mice as an animal model. Hera BioLabs is proud to offer improved preclinical study opportunities using the SRG rat (OncoRat®), with tumor volumes growing up to 10,000+ mm³ or ten times the size of a mouse xenograft… Continue Reading >
- Validation of the SRG Rat for Human Tumor Studies Published in PLOS ONE - We are excited to announce that a validation study using the SRG rat engrafted with human tumors (OncoRat®) has been published in PLOS ONE. Specifically, the paper validated the use of the OncoRat® in human tumor oncology studies. The paper, titled “The SRG rat, a Sprague-Dawley Rag2/Il2rg double-knockout validated for human tumor oncology studies,” is a collaboration among researchers… Continue Reading >
- Gene Editing With piggyBac: Creating A Curative Treatment For Beta-Thalassemia - Genetic engineering can soon lead to lifelong cures for diseases that were previously incurable - and ß-thalassemia is the perfect example. Through novel therapeutic methods like cell therapy, scientists have found a way to cure a disease that used to only be manageable. Previous gene editing methods used to treat ß-thalassemia were limited and nonspecific; however, advances like piggyBac… Continue Reading >