University of Pittsburgh Molecular Libraries Screening Center
University of Pittsburgh Molecular Libraries Screening Center
Principal Investigator: John Lazo
In common with the other MLSCN centers, the overall goal of thePittsburgh Molecular Libraries Screening Center (PMLSC) is to provide the scientific community access to a facility that is designed to optimize, validate and implement assays for high throughput screening (HTS), to identify chemical probes, and to record these data on the PubChem database. The PMLSC has been designed for maximum flexibility with regard to target classes and assay formats. The PLMSC will develop and implement cell based, biochemical and model organism assays preferentially at the 384-well plate density, but 96-well will be run as required, compatible with our existing optical based detection capabilities; automated high content screening (HCS) imaging platforms, absorbance, fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, time resolved fluorescence, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and luminescence. The Center can accommodate NIH-assigned assays that are biochemical, cell-based, or designed to use one of two model organisms, namely Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Drosophila melanogaster (fly). The PMLSC will examine the structure activity relationship of active small molecules and synthesize probe molecules that demonstrate significant potency and target selectivity.
Pitt Capabilities and Technologies
| Assay Formats | Screening Capabilities | Biologicial Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Fluorescence Intensity | Zebrafish model organism Assays | GFP-fusion proteins, GPCR's |
| Optical based detection | Cell based Assays | Ion Channels |
| Automated HCS imaging platforms | Biochemical Assays | Transporters |
| Absorbance | High Content Screening | Transcriptional reporter cell lines |
| Fluorescence polarization | Protein expression, purification, and characterization | Phosphatases |
| Time resolved fluorescence | Cell line generation and characterization | Kinases |
| Fluorescence resonance energy transfer | Cell cycle progression | |
| Luminescence | GPCR's | |
| Apoptosis | ||
| Necrosis | ||
| Actin & microtubule cytoskeleton stabilizers & de-stabilizers | ||
| Cell morphology | ||
| Multi-drug resistance proteins | ||
| Proliferation | ||
| Cytotoxicity | ||
| Enzyme & isolated receptor targets | ||
| Nitric oxide synthase |
For inquiries about assay development at a The Univeristy of Pittsburgh Molecular Libraries Screening Center, please contact the center representative listed in conjunction with visiting the Center’s Web site.
- University of Pittsburgh Molecular Libraries Screening Center
- Please contact: Paul A. Johnston, Ph.D
See also: Enabling PI-Center Collaboration Document
Finally, the PMLSC has established both formal and informal outreach programs to encourage usage of the PMLSC facilities and to assist in submitting NIH XO1, R21 or R03 applications. Please contact Paul A. Johnston, Ph.D if you are interested in using this service.
