Small Molecule Screening Facility (SMSF)

• The screening facility assists researchers in developing high-throughput (HT) screening assays, performs HT screens of chemical libraries to identify new small molecules that can be used to probe biological processes of interest.
  
  
• The facility coordinates the screening efforts of UMass Chan researchers, providing access to diverse chemical libraries and state-of-the art instruments including robotic compound transfer, liquid-handling equipment, imagers and plate readers.
  
  
• The SMSF currently has a 30,000 drug-like small molecules from Chembridges's DIVERset library. The set is rationally selected based on 3D pharmacophore analysis to cover the broad part of the biologically relevant pharmacohore diversity space. A highly recognized and proven primary screen tool for a wide range of both validated and new biological targets. The Chembrige pre-designed collection is a larger collection for hit and lead identification.
  
  
• The SMSF offers a LOPAC screen for $1320 that offers researcher the ability to screen 1280 pharmacologically active compounds. This annotated collection of small molecule modulators and approved drugs impacts most cellular processes and covers all major drug target classes. The LOPAC screen is considered as a great pilot screen.
  
  
• Also offering a new library from MicroSource: FDA-approved US drug collection (1040 compounds) and International drug collection (240 compounds). This screen will also cost UMass Chan researchers $1320.
  
  
• The information from all screens performed at the facility is collected and stored in a central database.
  
  
• The Cheminformatics database allows researchers to rapidly evaluate and compare results of their screens and can also be used in the future to classify the function of lead structures and biological targets.

UMass Core Facilities Voucher Program

•  A new state voucher program funded by the Massachusetts legislature gives small and medium-sized businesses (<50 FTEs) access to our SMSF at competitive rates. 
  
  
• Link to the State Voucher Program Details & Applications; https://www.umassmed.edu/research/voucher-program/
  
  
• Feel free to contact Shruti Choudhary (Shruti.Choudhary1@umassmed.edu) and find out how your research can take advantage of Voucher Program.