Label-free high throughput biomolecular screening system and method
First Claim
1. A screening system comprising a measurement chamber and a plurality of automated instruments for athermalizing microplates, handling microplates, positioning/repositioning microplates and performing end-point measurements to implement a measurement protocol that enables label-free detection of biomolecular interactions which take place on biosensors located in wells of at least one microplate.
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Abstract
A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occurr in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.
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Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A screening system comprising a measurement chamber and a plurality of automated instruments for athermalizing microplates, handling microplates, positioning/repositioning microplates and performing end-point measurements to implement a measurement protocol that enables label-free detection of biomolecular interactions which take place on biosensors located in wells of at least one microplate.
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15. A method for performing a label-free assay, said method comprising the steps of:
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athermalizing a plurality of microplates;
moving, in accordance with a measurement protocol, at least one of the microplates into and out of a measurement chamber;
positioning/repositioning, in accordance with the measurement protocol, at least one of the microplates within the measurement chamber;
performing base-line measurements and end-point measurements, in accordance with the measurement protocol, on at least one of the microplates to enable label-free detection of biomolecular interactions that take place on biosensors within the wells of said at least one of the microplates. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 20)
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- 18. A screening system comprising a measurement chamber and a computer that controls a plurality of automated instruments for athermalizing microplates, handling microplates, dispensing fluid in microplates, mixing fluid in microplates, positioning/repositioning microplates and performing end-point measurements to implement a measurement protocol that enables label-free detection of biomolecular interactions which take place on biosensors located in wells of at least one microplate.
- 21. A screening system that includes a measurement chamber/optical interrogation system and automated instruments that function together to perform end-point assays, with microplate moving in/out, and with microplate multiplexing to execute a label-free high throughput screening protocol in order detect label-free biomolecular interactions which take place on biosensors located in wells of at least one microplate.
- 23. A screening system that includes a measurement chamber/optical interrogation system and automated instruments that are capable of operating in an assay development mode and screening a predetermined number of label-free biosensors located within wells of a microplate with a coefficient of variance less than 7.9%.
Specification