DATE: September 24, 2019
TIME: 8:00am PDT

High throughput screening (HTS) is an effective method for identifying putative active compounds for therapeutics. Assays that evaluate changes in cellular functions are essential for characterizing test compounds and their potential role as pharmaceuticals. In most cases, screening is facilitated by the readout of optical signals using microplate readers. Researchers in drug discovery and cancer research rely on reproducible biological assays to guide medicinal chemistry programs and lead optimization efforts. A current goal in cancer research is to expand the arsenal of quantitative assays that can be used to characterize and interrogate cellular functions in 3D models, which is currently very limited.

In this webinar, we will demonstrate the suitability of four different cell health assays (targeting 3 different cellular functions) to explore the cytotoxic effects of gambogic acid, used here as model compound given its known pleiotropic effects. We will demonstrate the suitability of these cell health microplate assays to examine differential responses of investigational compounds in 2D (monolayers) versus 3D (spheroids) models. These quantitative measurements are fast and simple to perform with the aid of a multimode microplate reader, such as the Thermo Scientific™ Varioskan™ LUX Multimode Microplate Reader. We will discuss in the webinar the principles of top versus bottom fluorescence measurements and their applicability in 3D versus 2D cellular models.

In summary, we will demonstrate that using existing microplate tools (that have been established for 2D cell models) in 3D cell models provides a time and cost efficient basis for understanding therapeutic effects on 3D cellular models. This allows for rapid therapeutic characterization in drug discovery with multimode microplate readers (such as Varioskan LUX multimode microplate reader) and permits side-by-side comparisons of 2D versus 3D cellular models without a need for additional assay optimization.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn basic concepts related to optical detection of cellular functions using microplate readers
• Become familiar with four different cell health assays and their benefits for performing screening as well as functional studies
• Understand the applicability of cell health assays for the interrogation of cellular functions in 3D versus 2D cellular models

Webinars will be available for unlimited on-demand viewing after live event.

LabRoots is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program. By attending this webinar, you can earn 1 Continuing Education credit once you have viewed the webinar in its entirety.