Services

EnquBio's Comprehensive Drug Discovery Solutions & Services

At EnquBio, our expert team delivers high quality, efficient, and dependable R&D solutions that enable pharmaceutical and biotech partners to advance and expand their drug development pipelines.

Gene Expression & Molecular Bioanalysis

Sensitive, quantitative molecular biomarker analysis using RT-qPCR and ddPCR.

EnquBio is a San Diego-based CRO providing RT-qPCR and Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) services for gene expression profiling, absolute nucleic acid quantification, copy number analysis and molecular pharmacodynamic readouts. We analyze cells, blood-derived samples and tissues from multiple species, including non-human primate study samples, with assays developed or adapted around your target and matrix.

RT-qPCR and ddPCR gene expression and molecular bioanalysis

What We Can Measure

Molecular endpoints from relative gene-expression changes to absolute nucleic-acid quantification.

Expression

Gene Expression

Measure treatment-, genotype- or disease-associated changes in transcriptional biomarkers.

Absolute

Absolute Quantification

Quantify nucleic-acid targets with partition-based ddPCR workflows where absolute measurement is required.

Genomic

Copy Number Assessment

Evaluate target copy number and genomic abundance using fit-for-purpose molecular assays.

PD

Molecular Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers

Track treatment-associated molecular responses across concentration, dose and time.

Validation

Target & Pathway Confirmation

Confirm pathway modulation or target knockdown at the RNA level in relevant biological models.

Custom

Custom Molecular Assays

Develop or adapt assays for study-specific targets, species and biological matrices.

Two Complementary Molecular Platforms

RT-qPCR and ddPCR answer related but different quantitative questions.

RT-qPCR

Relative and quantitative gene-expression analysis

RT-qPCR provides an efficient and scalable approach for targeted gene-expression studies and molecular pharmacodynamic readouts across multiple treatment conditions.

  • Gene-expression profiling
  • Relative quantification
  • Target knockdown confirmation
  • Pathway-response studies
  • Multi-condition pharmacology experiments
ddPCR

High-sensitivity absolute nucleic-acid quantification

ddPCR partitions the reaction into many individual measurements, supporting precise absolute quantification and applications where low-level changes or copy number are important.

  • Absolute target quantification
  • Copy number assessment
  • Low-abundance target measurement
  • Small fold-change confirmation
  • Orthogonal confirmation of selected molecular endpoints

From Biological Sample to Molecular Readout

A complete workflow from sample preparation through quantitative molecular analysis.

Sample Collection
DNA / RNA Extraction
Assay Preparation
RT-qPCR / ddPCR
Data Interpretation
Sample quality, nucleic-acid input, assay efficiency, target abundance and normalization strategy are considered during study design and data interpretation.

Applications

Targeted molecular analysis to support discovery, pharmacology and translational research.

Mechanism of Action

Connect compound activity to downstream transcriptional and pathway responses.

Target Knockdown

Confirm siRNA, shRNA or other target-modulation effects at the RNA level.

Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers

Measure molecular responses across dose, time and treatment conditions.

Immune & Inflammatory Biology

Quantify cytokine, interferon, activation and pathway-related gene-expression responses.

Oncology & Targeted Therapy

Assess molecular markers associated with target modulation, signaling and treatment response.

Translational Bioanalysis

Measure predefined molecular biomarkers in clinically relevant and preclinical sample matrices.

Choosing the Right Molecular Readout

Platform selection depends on the biological question, expected abundance and required quantitative resolution.

Study NeedTypical Approach
Routine targeted gene-expression analysisRT-qPCR
Multi-condition pharmacology studiesRT-qPCR
Absolute nucleic-acid quantificationddPCR
Copy number assessmentddPCR
Low-abundance target measurementddPCR or optimized RT-qPCR, depending on study requirements
Orthogonal confirmation of a selected endpointRT-qPCR and/or ddPCR
Custom molecular biomarker strategyPlatform selected based on target, matrix and required sensitivity

Sample Types

DNA/RNA extraction and assay conditions are tailored to the sample matrix and study objective.

Whole Blood / PBMCs
Cultured Cells
Cell Pellets
Tissue Samples
Plasma / Serum
Other Study-Specific Matrices

How We Design a Molecular Bioanalysis Study

Assay design begins with the biological question and the quantitative decision the data need to support.

01

Define the Target

Clarify genes, molecular biomarkers, species, sample type and expected biological response.

02

Select the Platform

Choose RT-qPCR or ddPCR based on quantification strategy, abundance and assay requirements.

03

Optimize & Run

Establish extraction, assay conditions, controls and normalization as appropriate.

04

Analyze & Interpret

Connect molecular changes with treatment, dose, time and other pharmacology endpoints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between RT-qPCR and ddPCR?
RT-qPCR measures relative gene expression against calibration curves and is well suited to high-throughput profiling across large sample sets. Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) partitions each reaction into thousands of droplets and counts positives directly, providing absolute quantification without standard curves — ideal for low-abundance transcripts, rare targets and precise copy number measurement.

When should I choose ddPCR over qPCR?
Choose ddPCR when you need absolute copies per microliter, when targets are near the detection limit, when small fold-changes must be resolved, or when inhibitor-prone matrices such as blood or tissue make calibration-based quantification unreliable.

Can EnquBio analyze non-human primate and other animal samples?
Yes. We routinely process blood and tissue from multiple species, including non-human primate study samples, for gene-level readouts.

Can assays be developed for new targets?
Yes. Assays are developed or adapted to your specific target, species, sample matrix and study objective, and qualified fit-for-purpose before study samples are run.

What is delivered at the end of a study?
Quantified expression or copy-number data, QC performance, statistics where applicable, and a complete study report with interpretation.

Have a molecular biomarker question?

Send us your target list, sample type and study objective. Our scientists can help select the appropriate molecular assay strategy.

Contact Our Scientists →
RT-qPCR and ddPCR capabilities
DNA/RNA extraction through quantitative analysis
Integrated with in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies