Image-Based Assays of Cellular Phenotype for Drug Target Discovery and Validation

The application of Automated Cell Inc. (ACI) image-based assays of cellular phenotype for target discovery and validation is presented. The need for functional cellular assays as complementary to target discovery strategies that infer a link with disease without demonstrating a cellular phenotype for candidates is discussed. ACI cellular phenotypic assays are shown being used early in the target discovery process for primary screening, as well as later in target validation or pathway dissection studies. Examples include data supporting MEK as a target in HT1080 cells expressing an activated ras oncogene as well as a case study demonstrating the utility of Automated Cell assays in validating a novel breast cancer target.