EXPERIMENTAL-DESIGN FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT SCREENING

Novel methods in molecular biology and advanced technologies have give n pharmaceutical research laboratories the capability to test combinat orial libraries rapidly against large numbers of potential targets. Me thods to identify optimal assay conditions efficiently are very useful in the development of robotic screening assays where there are numero us variables and potential interactions between the variables. This re view discusses the use of statistical experimental design in the devel op ment and optimization of high-throughput screening assays. The auth ors provide a brief introduction to the theoretical basis for experime ntal design and discuss practical aspects of using these methods in a research laboratory. Two case studies demonstrate the power of the met hod in solving problems in assay development and illustrate the divers ity of potential applications.