The integration of functional genomics, combinatorial chemistry and nanotechnology into a miniaturized drug discovery process

Future concepts in miniaturized HTScreening technologies will concentrate on making optimal use of the two emerging technologies, combinatorial chemistry and functional genomics. To effectively exploit compounds from highly-parallel combinatorial synthesis and the high number of new target proteins from functional genomics, Novartis and Evotec BioSystems developed the CONA-BSP (confocal nanoscanning - bead scanning picking technology) as a novel high throughput - low hit-rate HTS process. In combination with the Novartis proprietary AIDA-Technology, quantitative on-bead confocal fluorescence screening can be combined with off-bead confirmation via a series of fluorescence techniques such as fluorescence anisotropy, or rotational correlation time applied to equilibrium binding studies.

Single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal nanoscanning/AIDA technology provide an optimal combination for a miniaturized automated uHTS process with high mechanistic resolution in functional and coupled assay systems.