(1383-D) The DISCovery Centre (UK): Expanding the horizon of new automated DMTA assay possibilities.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Halls AB
Abstract: As we occupy our new DISCovery research centre in Cambridge (UK), AstraZeneca are bringing together multiple UK site locations. In particular the Discovery Sciences department is bringing their highly automated HTS and DMTA groups to both shared and adjacent labs. This co-locates a huge array of automated platforms and experience from both sections enabling an exciting array of new possibilities for DMTA assay automation. Automating cellular assays in the interim estate has been the primary focus of the Mechanistic Biology and Profiling (MBP) team in the DMTA space due to their often complex handing, or time-consuming processes. This has successfully resulted in ~65% (39 assays) of the cellular assay portfolio being partially, or fully automated, leading to capacity (and equipment capability) constraints on existing automation. During the DISC move we have not only expanded our cellular lab automation footprint, but now are actively working with our HTS colleagues to share the automation, previously only available to HTS. This is enabling a further push into the cell assay space, including sprints/libraries/campaigns and now re-igniting the biochemical automated DMTA assay space, both in and out of ‘normal’ working hours.