Implementation of a Robotics System for High Throughput Screening Utilizing Glow Luminescence

Abstract

Advances in instrumentation, robotics and data acquisition/management have changed how the pharmaceutical industry views drug discovery. High Throughput Screening (HTS) allows the rapid evaluation of large libraries of compounds on many different assays and/or targets. Automation of liquid handling has decreased the time and effort associated with the preparation of compound libraries and assay preparation for screening programs. Automated microplate analytical instruments with plate stackers and multiple detectors have greatly improved the unattended throughput of assay quantitation. More recently, many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are finding that current screens are amenable to robotics, some with little need for change or optimization of current protocols. The advances in automation are also causing robotics companies to work jointly on custom applications which may consist of components from multiple suppliers. One application that is ideal for conversion to automation is cell-based assays. This paper will describe the automation of compound distribution using the MultiPROBE ® Automated Liquid Handling System and the automation of the luciferase reporter gene assay using the TopCount TM Microplate Scintillation and Luminescence Counter with a Zymark ® linear track robot and associated peripheral equipment.