Services

1. High-Throughput Screening

We can assist with a wide variety of automated and high-throughput applications. We specialize in automating assays to handle large number of samples and/or treatments. Manual procedures can also be automated to increase accuracy, reduce human error, and avoid repetitive strain injuries. We provide consultation in assay development and work with our clients to miniaturize, optimize, and validate their laboratory protocols.

Screening Applications

These assays are in vitro screens for enzymatic activity that are used to identify enzyme inhibitors or enhancers from chemical libraries.

Integrated automated screens can be performed in vivo (bacterial, yeast, mammalian 2D or 3D cultures) with simple readouts such as cell viability or cytotoxicity or with more complex endpoints that involve high-content imaging. These screens are often performed under different treatment conditions including using chemical libraries or genome-wide siRNA libraries.

Enzyme-linked ImmunoSorbent Assays measure specific proteins in a complex mixture and are typically employed to measure antibodies or antigens. For COVID-19, we have validated assays to detect IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against the spike trimer, spike RBD, and nucleocapsid protein. We also offer a surrogate neutralization ELISA (snELISA) to identify antibodies with neutralizing potential.

We store, maintain, and provide access to commercial and custom libraries. These libraries may also be used to cherry pick specific targets for confirmatory dose-response curves or follow-on validation testing.

Homogenous assays are simplified one-step assays where reagents are added with no wash steps in between. Alpha assays from Revitty typify the type of screening we can offer: 1) AlphaScreen® (ALPHA for Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay), a bead-based chemistry used to study interactions between molecules in a microplate, 2) AlphaLISA for the detection of analytes in biological samples such as cell culture supernatants, cell lysates, serum, and plasma and 3) AlphaPlex that can detect 3 analytes by using acceptor beads that emit at distinct wavelengths.

LUMIER is a high-throughput automated platform developed in the Wrana lab for identification of novel protein-protein interactions in mammalian cells. In this assay, a Luciferase (LUC)-tagged fusion protein is co-transfected with a FLAG-tagged protein in mammalian cells. The interaction between the two proteins is determined by co-immunoprecipitating the FLAG-tagged protein and detecting the LUC-tagged interactor in the complex by its luciferase activity.

If your assay is not on the list, contact us at NBCC.HTS@lunenfeld.ca and we will customize a screen for you.

Screening Libraries

Library collections have been acquired by the NBCC through commercial and collaborative sources. We can provide access to the following libraries when screening at our facility:

Small bioactive libraries

We have small, focused libraries where the majority of compounds are proven to be bioactive, with many being FDA-approved drugs or tested in clinical trial.

Index	Library Name	Compounds	Description	Use	Screen plate format	# of plates
1	Biomol	328	Natural products, includes many compounds from ethnopharmacology	ideal starting point for any screening program for pharmacologically active small molecules	96W	5
2	Epigenetic SGC library	64	Custom library made from Tocris, Selleck, Lopac and purchases from Cayman	Focused Epigenetic library	96W	1
3	Lopac	1287	Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds - small scale	Drug Repostioning	384W	4
4	Natural product library	4142	Bioactive natural products		384W	15
5	Microsource	1120	Bioactive compounds from MicroSource, part of the Canadian Compound Collection (CCC) from McMaster university		384W
6	NIH	446	NIHcollection (n=727), small molecules with a history of use in human clinical trials.		384W	2
7	NIH 2	281	NIHcollection (n=727), small molecules with a history of use in human clinical trials.		384W	1
8	OICR toolkit	640			384W	2
9	OICR-Kinase inhibitor	800	Bioactive compounds - marketed therapeutics or reached clinical phase development		384W	3
10	Prestwick	1120	Prestwick Chemical collection (n=1120), mostly composed (85%) of off-patent, FDA-approved drugs - http://www.prestwickchemical.com/libraries-screening-lib-pcl.html		384W	4
11	Selleckchem	1441	Approved drugs or in clinical trials	Newest collection to expand medical collection	384W	3
12	Spectrum	2000	Bioactive compounds that reached clinical trails or on the market. Portion of library are natrual products with >95% purity	Full Drug Screening	384W	7
13	Tocris	1296	Signalling library focused - some may have gone to clinic.	Signalling mechanisms	384W	5

Large discovery libraries

Index	Library Name	Compounds	Description	Use	Plate#
1	Chembridge DIVERSet	9,989	A collection of synthetic small molecules with diverse pharmacophores and drug-like compounds	Full Drug Screening	32
2	Maybridge	50,000	The core of the Maybridge building block collection, these pharmacophorically-rich intermediates are specifically designed for medicinal chemistry, allowing logical SAR development and Hit-to-Lead optimization	Full Drug Screening	157
3	Maybridge Hit Creator	14,240	The ultimate diversity library, represents the diversity of a 500,000 compound library distilled to 14,240 molecules	Full Drug Screening	45
4	OICR 140K	140471	drug-like chemicals, obtained from several vendors (Maybridge, Chembridge, Asinex, Enamine), designed through computational screens to provide lead-like motifs and minimize promiscuous hitters while enhancing chemical diversity	Full Drug Screening	439
5	OICR 24K dissimilar	24320	diversity set (picked from OICR 140K library)	Full Drug Screening	76

Dharmacon Human Pooled Library

We provide access to a human genome-wide pooled (4 siRNA in each pool, 2 uM) library targeting 19,520 genes. The collection is also sub-divided into smaller functional sub-libraries for directed screening. Customized collections of any kind and format can be created for use in specific project upon a user's request or HTS personnel recommendation.

Library	Cat#	Lot#	# of 96-well	# of 384-well plates
Genome	G-005005	Lot 08126	133	35
Ref_Seq	G-005705	Lot 08113	9	3
Drug Targets	G-004655	Lot 08176	60	16
Ubiquitin Subset1	G-005615	Lot 08107	2	1
Ubiquitin Subset 2	G-005625	Lot 08108	2	2
Ubiquitin Subset 3	G-005635	Lot 08109	3	2
GPCR	G-003605	Lot 08115	5	2
Ion Channel	G-003805	Lot 08117	5	2
Protease	G-005105	Lot 08106	6	2
Phosphatase	G-003705	Lot 08104	4	1
Kinase	G-003505	Lot 08105	9	3

Dharmacon Mouse Pooled Library

We provide access to a mouse genome-wide pooled (4 siRNA in each pool, 2 uM) library targeting 16,640 genes. The collection is also sub-divided into smaller functional sub-libraries for directed screening. Customized collections of any kind and format can be re-aliquotted for use in specific project upon a user's request or HTS personnel recommendation.

Library	Cat#	Lot#	Plates96_src	Plate384
Genome	G-015000	Lot-060113-01(1)	132	32
Druggable	G-014600	Lot-051013(1)	9	3
Kinase	G-013500	Lot-07113	9	3
GPCR	G-013600	Lot-051115-01(1)	6	2

Data Management

We support your data needs (data processing, analysis, hit detection, statistical testing, and visualizations) with our pre-designed workflows using R for automated screens. We also assist with more complex, customized analysis development. If you need more information, please contact our Senior Bioinformatician, Lauren Caldwell, lcaldwell@lunenfeld.ca.

2. Olink Biomarker Discovery

Olink offers high-quality protein biomarker discovery based on a flexible and scalable proximity extension analysis (PEA) technology platform which enables multiplexed biomarker analysis. Olink’s solutions require less than 2 uL of sample, while maintaining exceptional levels of specificity, sensitivity, and dynamic range. As a certified Olink Service Provider, we provide protein biomarker screens on 15 human and 2 mouse Olink Target 96 & Target 48 panels, Flex (15-21 chosen biomarkers) and Focus (custom design) panels.

Equipment

We have two integrated automation systems (F7 and Dim4) that enable multi-day in vitro and cell-based assays with the push of a button. These systems use robotic arms (Spinnaker, F7 and VAL) to move the labware between on-deck instruments such as liquid handlers, washers, incubators and readers. All our instruments are available to users as stand-alone equipment.

Our liquid handlers include those that are tip-based, no tip acoustic transfer, and bulk dispensers.

Instrument	Manufacturer	Type	Features	Formats
Biomek i7	Beckman	disposable tip	versatile handling of a broad range of liquids with different viscosity with 45 deck positions custom scripting allows extensive control in liquid dispensing. 96- and 384-channel dispense heads On deck shaker and heat/cooling peltier for easy mixing and temperature control accurate volumes in the 1-200 ul range	96, 384, 1536-well microplates
Biomek NXp	Beckman	disposable tip	similar features as the Biomek i7 but with a more compact footprint with 12 deck positions equipped with a 96-channel head	96, 384, 1536-well microplates
Echo 525	Beckman	acoustic liquid transfer, non-contact dispenses (no tips required)	Aqueous solutions with different liquid viscosities cherry-pick and dose response titration accurate volume range: 25 nl - 5 ul	96, 384, 1536-well microplates
Echo 555	Beckman	acoustic liquid transfer, non-contact dispenses (no tips required)	DMSO or Aqueous solutions with different liquid viscosities cherry-pick and dose response titration Accurate volume range: 2.5-500 nl	96, 384, 1536-well microplates
STARplus	Hamilton	disposable tip	Handling of a broad range of liquid with different viscosities 96- and 384-channel dispense heads and 8-channel individual dispense probes Cherry picking and serial dilution applications. Large deck with 80 deck positions accurate volume range: 1-300 ul	Eppendorf tubes up to 15ml and 50ml Falcon tubes, 96, 384, 1536-well microplates
Mutidrop Combi (x2)	ThermoFisher	bulk dispenser, non-contact	Reagent, beads, or cell dispensing. accurate volume range: 0.5-2500 ul with small tube dispensing cassette and standard tube dispensing cassette	96, 384, 1536-well microplates
Mutidrop nL (x2)	ThermoFisher	low volume dispenser, non-contact	reagent dispensing equipped with 8 individual electronic controlled dispensing valves. accurate volume: 0.05-50 ul	96, 384, 1536-well microplates
Multimek	Beckman	dedicated pin tool	drug delivery by 200 nl slotted pins	96- and 384-well microplates

Our plate readers provide end-point readouts for absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence and low-resolution imaging.

Instrument	Manufacturer	Type	Features	Formats
Envision 2015 (x2)	Perkin Elmer	Multi-mode filter-based and Monochromator based signal detection. Dual emission signal capture	Absorbance Fluorescence Intensity Fluorescence Polarization Time-Resolved Fluorescence Ultra-sensitive Luminescence Alphascreen	24-, 96-, 384-, 1536-well microplates
PHERAstar	BMG LABTECH	Multi-mode filter-based signal detection Simultaneous dual emission signal capture	Absorbance Fluorescence Intensity Fluorescence Polarization Time-Resolved Fluorescence Luminescence Alphascreen	6-, 12-, 24-, 96-, 384-, 1536-well microplates
PHERAstar FS	BMG LABTECH	Multi-mode filter-based signal detection Simultaneous dual emission signal capture Smart reagent injection	Absorbance Fluorescence Intensity Fluorescence Polarization Time-Resolved Fluorescence Luminescence Alphascreen	6-, 12-, 24-, 96-, 384-, 1536-well microplates
Cytation 3	Biotek	Digital imaging Multimode signal detection Monochromator	Microscopy with 4X and 10X objectives Imaging filter cube: DAPI, GFP, Texas Red DNA/Protein measurement Absorbance (monochromator) Fluorescence Intensity (monochromator) Luminescence (96w and 384w)	6- to 384-well microplates, slides, Take3 Trio microvolume plate

Our plate washers aspirate through metal pins to remove liquid or through centrifugation

Instrument	Manufacturer	Features	Formats
405 LS (x2)	Biotek	Aspiration through metal pins to remove liquid	96- and 384-well microplates
BlueWasher	Blue Cat Bio	contact-free centrifugation to remove liquid	96- and 384-well microplates

We also have other equipment including an Olink Signature Q100 for protein biomarker discovery and other instruments used in automated screening.

Instrument	Manufacturer	Type	Features	Formats
Signature Q100	Olink	qPCR reader for protein biomarker discovery	Target, Flex & Focus panels Proximity Extension Analysis Relative signal detection (NPX) or absolute concentration (pg/ml) measurement	21-, 48- and 96-target panels
ASM Store (x2)	Hamilton Storage Technologies	Sample/Compound Management	-20C robotic freezer 400K+ sample capacity 1-D & 2-D Bar code reader Automated picker	96- and 384-well racks and microplates
CyBi®-Print Vario	Analytik Jena	Barcode printer	1-D label application equipped with microplate stackers for automation	24-, 96-, 384-, 1536-well microplates
Microplate Centrifuge	Agilent	Robot-accessible, automated single plate centrifuge	Centrifuge a plate up to 3000 rpm	24-, 96-, 384-, 1536-well microplates
X-Peel®	Brooks Life Sciences	Automated plate seal removal		24-, 96-, 384-, 1536-well microplates
ALPS 3000™	ThermoFisher	Automated Microplate Heat Sealer	can seal 10 microplates/minute	24-, 96-, 384-, 1536-well microplates
Capit-All™	ThermoFisher	Screw Cap Tube Capper/Decapper	capping/decapping of Matrix™ and Nunc™	ScrewTop tubes (all at once) in 96-well racks
DeCapper	Hamilton Company	Screw Cap Tube Capper/Decapper	capping/decapping of Matrix™ and Nunc™ Tubes	ScrewTop tubes (12 per round) in 96-well racks

High Throughput Screening

An Introduction

Quick Navigation

Services

1. High-Throughput Screening

Screening Applications

Screening Libraries

Small bioactive libraries

Large discovery libraries

Dharmacon Human Pooled Library

Dharmacon Mouse Pooled Library

Data Management

2. Olink Biomarker Discovery

Equipment

Pricing

Policies

General Policies

Acknowledgements

NBCC

Network Biology Collaborative Centre

Facilities

More

Socials

An Introduction

Quick Navigation

Services

1. High-Throughput Screening

Screening Applications

Enzymatic Assays

2D and 3D Cell Culture Assays

ELISA-based Assays

Library Management

Homogenous Assays

LUMIER (LUminescence-based Mammalian IntERactome)

Screening Libraries

Small bioactive libraries

Large discovery libraries

Dharmacon Human Pooled Library

Dharmacon Mouse Pooled Library

Data Management

2. Olink Biomarker Discovery

Equipment

Pricing

Policies

General Policies

Acknowledgements

NBCC

Network Biology Collaborative Centre

Facilities

More

Socials