Technological advances in high-throughput screening

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Assay Development

Background:

• High-throughput screening (HTS) is crucial for drug discovery and biological research.
• Continuous development of novel assay technologies is essential for advancing screening capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the latest developments in assay technologies for high-throughput screening.
• To highlight innovations enabling ultra-high-throughput screening and target identification.

Main Methods:

• Overview of various assay formats including cell-based, microbial, and cell-free systems.
• Discussion of advanced detection techniques like time-resolved fluorescence and single molecule fluorescence.
• Exploration of engineering and chemistry innovations for miniaturized assay volumes (nanoliter and picoliter).

Main Results:

• A wide array of assay technologies are available, catering to different interaction types (nucleic acid-protein, receptor-ligand).
• Cell-free homogeneous assay systems have been modified for enhanced performance.
• Nanoliter and picoliter volume delivery systems and sensitive biosensors facilitate ultra-high-throughput screening.

Conclusions:

• Ongoing technological advancements are expanding the scope and efficiency of high-throughput screening.
• Integration of genomic information with screening technologies is paving the way for next-generation drug discovery.
• Future screens will benefit from sensitive detection methods and miniaturized assay formats.