High-throughput Screening
The high-throughput screening facility is a large state-of-the art robotic system. Our aim is to enable lab automation of large-scale experiments, with a focus on drug screening.
Purpose for research
Automation of lab experiments has several advantages, for example:
You save time as a researcher
The quality of the experiments is increased and
You can easily scale-up the experiments.
Drug screening is our main focus, as there is still a high need to find new drugs and drug combinations for pediatric cancer.
In general, we perform and support the development, implementation and analysis of high-throughput and time-intensive assays. All experiments aim to enable accelerated identification and validation of new treatment options for pediatric cancer as well as identifying key genes and proteins underlying the disease processes.
The highly flexible HTS platform enables the performance of a variety of high-throughput assays (e.g. ELISA, cell viability, staining), screens using different types of molecules (e.g. drugs, antibodies, or siRNAs) and read-out methods (e.g. absorbance-, luminescence- or fluorescence-based detection). Read-out using FACS and microscopy can be performed at other core facilities.
Services and support
We offer a full-service model with:
Assay development and validation – we can give support in the translation of research questions into assays suitable for high-throughput screening.
Carrying out the high-throughput screens
Data analysis support
Equipment overview
The HTS facility is a state-of-the-art robotic system containing 20 different laboratory instruments the HTS team manages the complex system. It is available to all interested, although our focus is facilitating research for pediatric cancer. As highlights, we have:
Beckman Coulter Biomek i7 Hybrid liquid handling workstation.
Echo 550 liquid handler for acoustic liquid handling for precise nL transfer volumes of drug solutions.
Revvity Opera Phenix high content imaging system
The automated version of most used lab equipment (e.g. think of centrifuge, sample heating/cooling)
Drug libraries
We currently have the following libraries set up and ready to screen:
Máxima Core Library: a drug library containing over 200 compounds specifically selected for pediatric oncology, based on current treatment regimens and clinical trials
Immuno-Oncology Library
Epigenetic Library
“Drug screening and automation is our main focus, as there is still a high need to find new drugs and drug combinations for pediatric cancer”
Jeroen van Velzen
Facility coordinator
Jeroen van Velzen is manager of the high-throughput screening facility and has 30 years of laboratory experience with a background in hematology and immunology. Van Velzen: 'In our facility, we provide support on high end instrumentation, training and service. We make experiments possible in automation and drug screening for all research groups in the Princess Máxima Center and for external parties collaborating with the Máxima Center.'
This facility is embedded in the Molenaar group and made financially possible by donations of KiKA.