AequoScreen will be used by Sangmyung University as part of its efforts to establish an academic G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) screening facility together with the Korea Chemical Bank, a national repository library of over 100,000 small molecule compounds. The aequorin technology will be used as part of nationwide GPCR screening campaigns and drug discovery programs in Korea.
It is estimated that GPCRs are associated with at least 30% of addressable diseases, and continue to be a key focus in drug discovery. Aequorin assays are a sensitive and flexible cell-based assay technology used to detect GPCR activation with several advantages over conventional fluorescence based dyes, including fewer false positives, much simpler protocol and significantly increased assay windows, said PerkinElmer.
Richard Eglen, president of bio-discovery at PerkinElmer, said: “We are very pleased to be working with the distinguished faculty of Sangmyung University in providing our AequoScreen technology in support of their Korea-wide GPCR screening campaign implementation. Given the wide range of potential drug targets linked to GPCR research, the University’s project presents tremendous promise in terms of advancing potential new drugs.”