Mass receptor screening for new drugs.

Mass receptor screening is capable of identifying drug candidates in large compound libraries. Our laboratory has developed a mass screening technology by standardizing assay protocols that can be transferred from receptor to receptor. The entire operation, from disbursement of compounds to data analysis, is computerized to handle vast numbers of experimental results. The success of this method depends upon strict definitions of compound activity, with rapid elimination of compounds that do not fulfill all criteria. Finally, we approach automation with caution. While certain items, such as automatic harvesters, are essential for high-throughput screening, much time can be spent optimizing gadgets instead of gathering data.