High-Throughput Screening

Cayman’s high-throughput screening (HTS) services offer fully automated compound screening backed by expertise in assay development and customization. As part of a medicinal chemistry or drug discovery program, our HTS services can aid in hit identification and lead discovery, validation of hits from virtual HTS, SAR studies, and hit-to-lead optimization.

Our scientists have combined the capabilities of the Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handler, Agilent BenchCel 4R Microplate Handler, and BioTek Synergy Neo2 Multimode Plate Reader to create a streamlined, fully automated HTS system that decreases run time, variability, and risk of user error, ensuring our customers get high-quality, accurate data with a shorter turnaround time and lower cost.

Sample HTS Workflow

The Agilent Bravo automated liquid handler performs all liquid transfer steps in the HTS assay. The platform is integrated with an Agilent BenchCel 4R microplate handler to enable automated microplate handling to the BioTek Synergy Neo2 multimode microplate reader.

Instrumentation

Agilent Bravo Automated Liquid Handler

Automated liquid handling allows for higher throughput and increased accuracy with highly limited variability. Heated deck pads allow for use with live cell applications and temperature-sensitive enzymatic assays.

Agilent BenchCel 4R Microplate Handler

This microplate handler features a high-speed robot and modular design, providing the flexibility and scalability required to meet the needs of the most diverse laboratory applications.

BioTek Synergy Neo2 Multimode Plate Reader

Uses a quad monochromator design and variable bandwidth settings to increase sensitivity and lower limits or reduce signal cross-talk by increasing specificity in the presence of multiple signals. Additional filter-based optics along with HTRF and Alpha lasers maximize sensitivity and plate read speeds. Advanced environmental controls support long-term kinetic assays.

Assay Types

Our system is compatible with a variety of assay formats and readouts, including:

Colorimetric
Fluorometric
Luminescent
HTR/TR-FRET
AlphaScreen
AlphaLISA
Fluorescence Polarization

Several assays, including Cayman’s line of MitoCheck^® assays, are currently optimized for automation. Our HTS and assay development experts can work with you to develop new, custom assays or convert existing assays to automation-compatible formats through our Assay Development Services.

Compound Libraries

Customers can provide their own compound libraries for screening or choose from Cayman’s catalog of 30 unique, expertly curated screening libraries. We also offer custom compound library generation through our Chemical Synthesis Services division. Read our News article to learn more about our curation process and the advantages of Cayman’s compound libraries.

Analysis & Reporting

We will work with you every step of the way to develop a work plan that suits your project’s needs. Upon project completion, we will provide a comprehensive report including experimental results and summary (IC₅₀, Hill slope, and R² values, concentration response curves, and the Z’-factor for each plate assayed), as well as detailed materials and methods information. We will also provide you with an Excel file of the raw data, including compound lists, original data, calculations, and a formatted copy of the data compatible with your data management program of choice.

Pricing

Pricing for our HTS services varies based on each project’s unique specifications. You can request more information, including project-specific pricing, by submitting the “Contact Us” form.

Related Services

Sample Analysis

Cayman scientists can perform sample analysis and activity screening using our well-characterized Cayman assays or other qualified commercially available assays.

Assay Development

Leverage our team of experts for assay design, development, validation, and manufacturing. We can build quantitative assays on a variety of analysis and detection platforms to suit your specific needs or optimize existing assays from our catalog for automation and HTS.

Medicinal Chemistry

Cayman provides comprehensive medicinal chemistry services to empower your drug discovery efforts. Our medicinal chemistry and structural biology experts can perform hit identification and virtual high-throughput screening of more than 12 million compounds backed by expertise in Schrödinger suite, as well as hit-to-lead optimization and process scaling.

Chemical Synthesis

We offer a number of chemical synthesis services to support your drug discovery projects, including complex, multi-step organic syntheses, small molecule analog synthesis/SAR, parallel medicinal chemistry, and compound library generation.