Track 2: Cell-based assays using cellular systems

In this track, access to high throughput screening (HTS) services involving cellular systems will be provided. Cellular assays allow the robust identification of compounds that cause the desired phenotype and, in the case of intracellular targets, select for compounds able to cross the cell membrane and reach their site of action inside the cell. Suitable assays could allow the prediction of the response of a compound on an organism or disease model, whilst not having the handling, supply and complex culturing conditions associated with more complex cellular systems such as primary cells or iPS derived cell lines (covered in Track 3). Cell-based HTS services available to the user include, but are not limited to, the study of cell viability and proliferation, reporter protein activation, ion channel or GPCR modulation, intracellular signalling and disease relevant pathway analysis, cell migration and translocation, adhesion of cells to substrates or cell layers, etc. Moreover, cell-based assays also allow modulation of targets not tractable in biochemical assays of Track 1 (e.g., enzyme complexes involving multiple components and co-factors).