TAP consists of a multiplex capture-antibody micro-array that is supported by a dermal adhesive bandage for easy fixture to skin. When TAP is applied to skin, the antibodies printed on the micro-array capture biomarkers of choice from skin through immune-recognition. The unique design of TAP not just makes TAP biomarker measurements highly specific, but also highly sensitive as the capturing of biomarkers from skin is performed in very close contact with the skin, which results in minimal dilution of biomarkers by buffers used.
Biomarkers captured from skin by TAP are qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by spot-ELISA, a well-proven technique that is very sensitive and highly specific. For the read-out of TAP, FibroTx has developed a specific TAP analyzer, which allows for a standardized read-out of TAP in a high-throughput 48-well format.

Implementing TAP in your studies

FibroTx offers TAP as a fee-for-service research and development tool. TAP is supplied in the form of kits, containing TAP, reagent and clear instructions. At the study site, TAP is applied to the skin of study subjects for 20 minutes and then returned to FibroTx using its package. FibroTx qualitatively and quantitatively analyses biomarkers captured by TAP in immuno-assays using equipment specifically developed for TAP. TAP is easy to use for dermatologists/skin care specialists, with no burden to study objects.
 Development of TAP at FibroTx circumvents the need for laboratory facilities at study places, and secures that biomarker analysis is performed in a standardized way.
However, the first step in the TAP study is to design the optimal biomarker strategy. FibroTx offers four TAPs of the shelf with 16 different biomarkers in total. However, TAP is highly versatile and FibroTx offers the development of customized TAP to specific client needs. For this, FibroTx develops optimal procedures for producing TAP capture antibody micro-arrays, as well as optimal protocols for biomarker capture and detection from skin. This to secure the optimal specificity, sensitivity and dynamic range needed for skin biomarker measurements in the client’s study, for instance to measure objective signs of a pharmacodynamics effect in an early stage clinical study.

In the TAP preparation process, multiple stop/go decision points have been introduced to secure that all parties involved in the TAP biomarker study are confident with respect to the quality of TAP measurements.