We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Robot Screening System Streamlines Discovery of New Drug Compounds

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 23 Feb 2015
Print article
Image: Eve, the robot scientist (Photo courtesy of the University of Manchester.
Image: Eve, the robot scientist (Photo courtesy of the University of Manchester.
British drug developers have automated the drug discovery process by using a "robot scientist" to screen thousands of potential candidate compounds.

Investigators at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) and the University of Manchester (United Kingdom) described the development of the robot scientist "Eve" in the February 4, 2015, online edition of the journal Interface. Eve is a laboratory automation system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to discover scientific knowledge through cycles of experimentation. The system integrates and automates library-screening, hit-confirmation, and lead generation through cycles of quantitative structure activity relationship learning and testing.

In practice, Eve systematically tested up to 10,000 compounds per day in the standard brute-force way of conventional mass screening. In addition, Eve selected at random a subset of the library to identify compounds that passed the first screening analysis. Any "hits" were re-tested multiple times to reduce the probability of false positives. Taking this set of confirmed hits, Eve used statistics and machine learning to predict new structures that might score better against the assays. In this fashion, Eve repositioned several drugs against specific targets in parasites that cause tropical diseases. One important validated discovery was that the anti-cancer compound TNP-470 was a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase from the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium vivax.

“Eve exploits its artificial intelligence to learn from early successes in her screens and select compounds that have a high probability of being active against the chosen drug target. A smart screening system, based on genetically engineered yeast, is used. This allows Eve to exclude compounds that are toxic to cells and select those that block the action of the parasite protein while leaving any equivalent human protein unscathed. This reduces the costs, uncertainty, and time involved in drug screening, and has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide,” said contributing author Dr. Stephen G. Oliver, professor of biochemistry at the University of Cambridge.

Senior author Dr. Ross King, professor of biotechnology at the University of Manchester, said, “Every industry now benefits from automation and science is no exception. Bringing in machine learning to make this process intelligent—rather than just a "brute force" approach—could greatly speed up scientific progress and potentially reap huge rewards.”

Related Links:

University of Cambridge
University of Manchester


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.