Intratumoral Colonization & Targeting Assays for Oncolytic Bacteria

We employ a dual-validation strategy. First, we engineer the strain with distinct selection markers (e.g., natural resistance, metabolic defect complementation, or non-antibiotic selection systems) allowing for highly selective plating from ex vivo homogenates. Secondly, we design and utilize strain-specific multiplexed qPCR, NGS, or FISH targeting unique engineered genetic loci or rare genomic islands, ensuring absolute molecular discrimination from host flora.

We offer a comprehensive portfolio of syngeneic models (e.g., CT26, 4T1, B16-F10) in immunocompetent mice, as well as human tumor xenografts (CDX/PDX) in immunodeficient models. We specifically select models known for developing dense, poorly vascularized necrotic cores that best recapitulate the hypoxic environments necessary to validate obligate or facultative anaerobic bacterial targeting.

Yes. By integrating stable, non-attenuating bioluminescent reporters (such as chromosomal luxCDABE insertions), we can perform longitudinal, non-invasive imaging on the same cohort of animals over extended periods (weeks to months). This provides real-time data on tumor penetration, sustained proliferation, and potential clearance, without the need for constant animal sacrifices at each time point.

The safety window is defined by the ratio of bacterial accumulation in the tumor versus accumulation in healthy clearing organs. Post-administration, we systematically harvest and quantify CFU/qPCR payloads from the tumor, liver, spleen, lungs, and blood across varying temporal checkpoints. A successful candidate will show massive logarithmic amplification in the tumor, correlating with rapid, orders-of-magnitude clearance from the liver and spleen.