Robotic High Throughput Cell-Free and Cell-Based Assays

 

CET has access to a high throughput platform that integrates robotics, detection systems and chemical /biologics libraries. The system enables scalable screening approaches, not only to foster hit and lead generation for drug discovery and development though screening of large chemical/biologics libraries; but also to facilitate molecular probe discovery for mechanism of action (MOA) studies of chemical biology through screening of focused intellectually-designed compound collections. 

 

High throughput screening (HTS) is available in 96, 384 and 1536-well formats with plate reader detection (Perkin-Elmer EnVision) using absorbance, fluorescence and luminescence, including advanced FRET and BRET techniques. Services includes high content screening (HCS, Perkin-Elmer Operetta Confocal Imaging System) to detect and quantify phenotypic changes, i.e. cell differentiation, cell migration, neurite outgrowth, and target trafficking; or by fluorescence intensities for target protein expression, transcription factor or signaling pathway analysis. HTS and HCS systems are integrated with robotics for plate handling and assay execution, suitable for small- or large-scale compound library screens with “walk-away” levels of automation. 

 

CET has access to small molecule libraries. One library consists of 2320 structurally diverse compounds including marketed and experimental drugs as well as natural products. This array of test compounds provides a rigorous platform for assay validation and testing. A separate library consists of a collection of 50,000 small molecules representing a wide swath of chemical space, optimized to be “drug like,” considering factors such as partition coefficient and Lipinski-like rules.