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High-throughput screening (HTS)

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:

  1. You save time as a researcher
  2. The quality of the experiments is increased and
  3. 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 consists of a state-of-the-art robotic system containing 15 different machines, the HTS team performs the control of the complex system. It is publicly available to all interested, although our main 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.
  • 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:

  • PMC 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





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.'

Contact
This facility is embedded in the Molenaar group and made financially possible by donations of KiKA.

Phone -
Email hts@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl





 

High Throughput Screening

Jeroen van Velzen Core facility coordinator
Luca van den Brink Research technician