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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- 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 >
- OncoRat® featured in Clinical Cancer Research for prostate cancer studies - Improving Preclinical Anticancer Studies Using Rat Xenograft Model Systems: A case study of SRG OncoRat tumor xenografts from a Clinical Cancer Research publication (paper link) Using the SRG OncoRat and xenograft validation services from Hera BioLabs, researchers were able to: Collect and validate an efficient, human relevant model system Confirm and compare data in the OncoRat with NSG mice Determine lead… Continue Reading >
- The OncoRat® is the ideal host for patient-derived xenografts of ovarian cancer cells - Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer in the United States. Advances in cytotoxic, platinum-based chemotherapeutics combined with tumor resection surgery allows approximately 80% of these patients to achieve remission. Unfortunately, the vast majority have a tumor recurrence within 12-24 months and relapsed ovarian cancer is recognized as being universally incurable1-2. Large genomic analyses of ovarian tumors, using… Continue Reading >