NewsLife Sciences
Inaugural open access issue of SLAS Discovery paves way for 2022
Volume 27, Issue 1 of SLAS Discovery is the first issue to be published Open Access in partnership with SLAS’s new publisher, Elsevier
3 Feb 2022
Dora Wells
Clinical Content Editor
Industry news
Historically, SLAS Discovery focused primarily on automation, screening, and its application to drug discovery. Responding to the evolution of science, the scope of publication broadened to include scientific and technical advances in target identification/validation (including chemical probes, RNA silencing, gene editing technologies), biomarker discovery, assay development, virtual, medium- or high-throughput screening (biochemical and biological, biophysical, phenotypic, toxicological, ADME), lead generation/optimization, chemical biology, and informatics (data analysis, image analysis, statistics, bio-, and chemo-informatics).
SLAS is committed to continuing to deliver high-quality research into 2022 and beyond. Special Issues and Collections focused on cutting-edge topics in rapidly moving fields will continue to be published into the new year. Upcoming issues include “3D Cell Culture Approaches of Microphysiologically Relevant Models,” as well as an “Early Career Scientist Showcase.”
SLAS Discovery, “will continue to respond as necessary to the changing environment for the benefit of our readers and the scientific community,” according to Ally Jump and Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, in the January issue editorial. “In 2022, we are opening our content up to the world, free of access or subscription fees, knowing that it will propel our science forward and enable us to progress even more quickly than before.”
In addition to the editorial, this issue of SLAS Discovery also includes seven articles of original research and one review:
- Fragment-based screening: A new paradigm for ligand and target discovery
- Identification of potent small molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry
- Using measures of metabolic flux to align screening and clinical development: Avoiding pitfalls to enable translational studies
- Deep learning image analysis of high-throughput toxicology assay images
- Detection and impact of hypoxic regions in multicellular tumor spheroid cultures formed by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells lines
- Identification of positive modulators of TRPM5 channel from a high-throughput screen using a fluorescent membrane potential assay
- High-throughput screening for identifying acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Insights on novel inhibitors and the use of liver microsomes
- High-throughput cell-based assays for identifying antagonists of multiple smoking-associated human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes
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OligonucleotidesOligonucleotides are small nucleic acid polymers, usually less than 20 bases in length. Oligonucleotides can be made via enzymatic cleavage or more commonly by chemical synthesis with polymerases. Their use includes FISH, southern blots, microarrays and as primers in PCR. High fidelity synthesis kits and detection systems are available for easy production and detection, respectively.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Data AnalysisData analysis hardware and software is available to make data processing straight-forward yet powerful. Data software can be used for math and stats, technical graphing and image analysis. In addition, software is available for specific data analysis of electrophoresis, densitometry, ELISA and DNA sequencing.ADME-ToxicologyADME-toxicology (ADME-Tox) studies are used in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics to assess the activity/toxicity of drugs <i>in vivo</i> or <i>in vitro</i>. Find bioassays for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drug molecules including cytotoxicity, transporter/permeability, metabolism and activity assays as well as hepatocytes and cell lines for ADME. Find the best ADME-toxicology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Sample ManagementSample management systems include sample storage devices such as freezers and plate storers, sample environment enclosures and sample organization, retrieval and sorter systems. Useful system features include high-throughput, automation, robotic arms, automated liquid handling and associated database systems. Accessories in sample management include barcode scanners, heat sealers and tubes.Assay AssemblyAssay Assembly is technique used in drug discovery to develop assays to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or other activities of a compound on a cell. Assay assembly requires chip assembly, a delivery system and a detection and analysis method. Beneficial features of assay kits or automated systems include high-throughput, high speed and sensitivity and low signal to noise ratio.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :Biopharmaceutical AdvancesBiopharmaceutical advances follow the development of pharmaceuticals derived from biotechnology, also known as biotechnology medicines. Biopharmaceuticals may be produced from cell lines, plants, or microbial cells. Important considerations of biopharmaceutical use include application, cost, production process and purification.Robotic InstrumentsRobotic instruments can be used for high-throughput automation of many lab processes. Such processes use instruments for assays like cell based assays and ELISA, for sample preparation like shakers, centrifuges and incubators, and for analysis such as sequencing and western blot analyzers. Useful features of robotic instruments include speed, reproducibility, barcode readers, software and automation.Automation Supplies / AccessoriesAutomated accessories and consumables make lab processes fast, efficient and reliable. Useful automation accessories include microplate sealers, label printers and reagent reservoirs.Toxicology / Drugs of Abuse TestingToxicology and Drugs of Abuse Testing is the investigation into toxic and illegal substances found at the scene of a crime or from a suspect and / or victim associated with a scene of a crime. Analyzers, immunoassays and drugs of abuse test kits and presumptive test kits are an essential aspect of toxicology investigation.Development SoftwareComputational techniques used in both the chemistry and biology aspects of drug development, for data acquisition, data analysis, processing and storage. Software is used for analysis of ADME results, toxicology, clinical trials and regulatory processes. Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.SLASThe Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) is an organization focused on laboratory automation, high-throughput screening, and biotechnology innovation. SLAS promotes scientific advancements through conferences, publications, and industry collaborations.