he Functional Genomics Core (FGC) works with investigators to perform all necessary assay optimization and validation. The FGC staff will translate the protocol into a high throughput workflow on our liquid handling workstation and works with the researchers to perform their compound screen. The primary limit on the throughput of the screen is the speed of the assay. Simple fluorescence based assays can be read on our CLARIOstar Plus microplate reader, while complex cell phenotyping can be performed on our Operetta CLS and binding affinity assays can be run on our OctetRed384.
The FGC is integrated with the Arizona Center for Drug Discovery, providing resources for investigators conducting research in molecular biology to run live cell, biochemical and other assays. The Arizona Center for Drug Discovery, housed in the UArizona College of Pharmacy, creates the necessary infrastructure to bridge UArizona researchers with pharmaceutical partners to establish a collaborative environment to advance novel disease intervention findings beyond the laboratory setting. The Center works with faculty members and established scientists at the UArizona to assemble teams around shared research projects in drug discovery and development. Faculty members also have access to mentorship and guidance regarding how to get started in drug discovery.
For information or support on compound screening or drug discovery contact Christopher Penton (pentoncm@arizona.edu) with the Arizona Center for Drug Discovery
