Microplate Reading and Phase Contrast Imaging: Analyzing Cellular Energetics and Apoptotic Activity

By Brad Larson and Leonie Rieger, BioTek Instruments, Inc.

Phenotypic screening, or the determination of the effects (phenotypes) that a molecule has on a cell, tissue, or whole organism, dates back to earliest drug discovery efforts. Due to advances in molecular biology and biochemistry in the 1990s, this approach was de-emphasized in favor of a more "reductionist" target-based approach. Mounting evidence, however, indicates this shift not only failed to accelerate discovery of new first-in-class medicines, but has also led to higher attrition rates of new lead molecules. Thus, a more balanced "holistic" approach, which incorporates both discovery methods, is increasingly being emphasized.