Utility Of Automated Drug Transport Assays In 96-Well Format, Using Permeable Support Systems

By Brad Larson, Peter Banks, Hilary Sherman, Mark Rothenberg

Cell-based drug transport assays, such as Caco-2 and MDCK, are an essential component of ADME/Tox testing for lead compounds. The permeability and transport data they provide can determine whether or not a compound is carried forward in the drug discovery process. Current methods that use 24-well plates, run in a manual format, are no longer viable based upon the need to generate absorption data on an increasing number of compounds. By incorporating 96-well HTS Transwell® permeable supports, along with an automated process using proper instrumentation, data can be generated that is more consistent when compared to manual methods, and allows research staff to perform more important, higher level functions.