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SIC50: Determining drug inhibitory concentrations using a vision transformer and an optimized Sobel operator
Yongheng Wang1, Weidi Zhang2, Hoyin Yip2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Patterns (New York, N.Y.)
|March 6, 2023
Summary
We developed SIC50, a label-free imaging method to measure half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for cytotoxic potency. This faster, cost-efficient approach aids high-throughput drug discovery screening.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) quantifies cytotoxic drug potency.
- Current IC50 determination methods often require additional reagents or cell lysis.
- There is a need for faster, cost-efficient, and label-free methods for IC50 evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce SIC50, a novel label-free method for evaluating IC50.
- To enable continuous assessment of IC50 using image analysis.
- To facilitate high-throughput screening in drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Developed a Sobel-edge-based image processing technique.
- Utilized a state-of-the-art vision transformer for image classification.
- Applied the method to phase-contrast microscopy images for IC50 evaluation.
Main Results:
- Validated the SIC50 method using four drugs across 1,536-well plates.
- Demonstrated a faster and more cost-efficient approach compared to traditional methods.
- Developed a user-friendly web application for the SIC50 method.
Conclusions:
- SIC50 provides a label-free, efficient, and cost-effective alternative for IC50 determination.
- The method supports continuous monitoring and high-throughput screening of chemical libraries.
- SIC50 is poised to advance small-molecule drug, siRNA, and microRNA discovery.
