# Versatile high-throughput Alinity ci assay platform to support multiple laboratory animal users

> **NIH NIH S10** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $252,500

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Organ transplantation’s therapeutic reach is currently constrained by incomplete efficacy associated
with current clinical immunosuppressive regimens. Similarly cellular therapy using allogeneic cells has
established proof of principle for treatment of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury, but
application is constrained by inability to reliably prevent alloimmune injury of cell or tissue grafts without
unacceptable side effects. As such, transplant tolerance research in translational models is a longstanding,
primary focus of the MGH Center for Transplantation Sciences (CTS). For all these applications, the limited
availability of human cells, tissues, and organs would be resolved if xenotransplantation can be developed as a
safe therapeutic modality, allowing recipient-specific tailored treatments to be available timely when the need
arises and the potential recipient is situated to achieve the greatest benefit from a transplant. Transplant
tolerance and xenotransplantation research in translational models are the long-standing focus of the CTS.
 For almost a decade CTS investigators have been supported by an Architect assay platform to perform
immunosuppressive drug assays that are either unavailable locally (mycophenolate mofetile) or slow and
expensive when performed as a ‘send-out’ (rapamycin, tacrolimus, cyclosporin). In addition, the platform
provides ‘general chemistry’ values (electrolytes, biochemical parameters of organ function and metabolism).
We depend on this resource because hospital clinical laboratories are unwilling to accept NHP samples due to
infectious concerns related to B-viruses; commercial alternatives have slow turn-around times and are
unreliable and expensive. Other research investigators across many MGH Departments and Centers also
depend upon this platform for these and other assays. The existing machine is at end-of-life and is no longer
be supported by the vendor. Replacing the Architect platform is essential to our many NIH-supported
transplant, trauma, regenerative medicine, and cardiovascular research projects working in large
animals.
 We have identified a versatile high-throughput Alinity ci Assay Platform that will fully meet the needs of
existing users. If made available through this mechanism, the Alinity ci platform would be highly valuable to
multiple other investigators using large and small animal across the institution. Importantly, custom assay
development services are available from the vendor to meet emerging research needs as they are identified.
Rodent and other small-animal users do not currently have access to a versatile assay platform capable of
working with <10 µl (and as low as 2 µl) serum or plasma samples; this platform is adaptable to their needs.
In summary, the requested equipment would meet a mission-critical key need, and expand our capacity to serve
the local NIH-funded user community, as well as offer an important Core facility for an expanded user base
wh...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10853206
- **Project number:** 1S10OD034375-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard N Pierson
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $252,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10853206

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10853206, Versatile high-throughput Alinity ci assay platform to support multiple laboratory animal users (1S10OD034375-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10853206. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*