The University of Bath researchers have developed a new biochip device, in a bid to enhance life-saving drug discoveries in more cost effective way.
The PhosphoSense technology will be used to screen compounds for use in drugs. It has produced a new way to detect activity of enzymes called kinases.
University of Bath Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology lecturer Dr Giordano Pula said: "This technology has the potential to change the drug discovery process as we know it and facilitate the development of new drugs for diseases like cancer, stroke and dementia.
"The simplicity is the strength of this technology. This discovery significantly simplifies the analysis of protein kinase activity and frees it from the use of radioisotopes or antibodies."
The new PhosphoSense biochip will enable pharmaceutical firms to measure simultaneously a large number of compounds and select the best ones to develop into drugs to fight against diseases.
It was developed at the university by researchers, including Dr Pedro Estrela, PhD student Nikhil Bhalla, Dr Mirella Di Lorenzo and Dr Giordano Pula. The research team plans to collaborate with industrial partners to develop the system to a prototype that can be used by the pharma sector.
Image: University of Bath researchers have developed a new biochip device to enhance drug discoveries. Photo: courtesy of University of Bath.