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Live-Cell Fluorescence Lifetime FRET Assays for HTS

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R41DA037622-01
Agency Tracking Number: R41DA037622
Amount: $253,930.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: NIDA
Solicitation Number: PA12-089
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2013
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
1311 4th St. SE PO Box 13205
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55414-2028
United States
DUNS: 623858565
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 GREGORY GILLISPIE
 (701) 237-4908
 gillispie@fluorescenceinnovations.c
Business Contact
 GREGORY GILLISPIE
Phone: (406) 451-5148
Email: gillispie@fluorescenceinnovations.c
Research Institution
 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
 
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 100 CHURCH ST SE MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-
United States

 () -
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will establish proof-of-concept for a powerful and versatile implementation of live-cell assays in a true high-throughput screening (HTS) format for small-molecule drug discovery. The technological basis isfluorescence lifetime (FLT) readout of FRET between fluorescent fusion proteins. Lifetime measurement is needed in HTS to overcome the low precision of conventional fluorescence intensity measurements, which is particularly severe in live-cell assays. However, conventional lifetime technology, i.e., time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), takes at least 10 seconds per sample to obtain adequate precision for HTS. Thus, whether carried out in a microplate reader or in fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), TCSPC is much too slow for practical HTS. Our team has taken an entirely fresh and creative approach, which critically relies on the revolutionary NovaFluor PR fluorescence lifetime microplate reader developed by Fluorescence Innovations.NovaFluor employs Direct Waveform Recording (DWR), an exceptionally fast and precise fluorescence lifetime method recently developed in collaboration between FI and the Thomas research group at the University of Minnesota. DWR provides precision and resolution equivalent to TCSPC while dramatically increasing the speed of data acquisition. Of all the existing fluorescence lifetime methods, only DWR offers both the speed and precision needed for effective HTS. Our other breakthrough innovation is Cells-and-Wells (CNW). We simultaneously measure the response of hundreds of cells in a microplate well, after excitation with a pulsed laser, and the lifetime readout provides HTS data as fast as any intensity-based assay employing purified protein targets, but withan order of magnitude better precision and resolution. Aim 1 is to demonstrate the CNW method on two well-defined test systems, cleavage of a labeled peptide by caspase-3 and ubiquitination of -synuclein, in order to optimize procedures in cell handling,data acquisition, instrument configuration, and data reduction. Aim 2 is to develop a high-performance assay for an important protein target, SERCA, the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase, which is key to calcium regulation in all mammalian cells, andof particular interest in heart failure therapies. The Thomas group leads the world in developing spectroscopic probes of SERCA. Aim 3 is to conduct a first-pass screening with the LOPAC library. This work will set the stage for a more comprehensive exploration of chemical space in Phase II, leading to successful commercialization of FLT technology for drug discovery. The significance of this project stems from the clear potential of FLT in live cells to revolutionize HTS, resulting in a vastly improved input into the drug discovery process. We envision our approach will enable successful drug discovery campaigns for a wide range of targets and systems that currently can only be screened by fluorescence intensity. The high potential significance of fluorescence lifetime in HTS will make this a high-impact project, even in Phase I. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Fluorescence Innovations, Inc., in collaboration with the University of Minnesota proposes to greatly improve the technology for drug discovery. This technology has great commercial potential, because it will make the process of drug discovery much more effective and efficient, particularly for the discovery of drugs for the treatment of heart failure.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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