ArrayPlate Technology

ArrayPlate^TM technology is a process for performing genomics assays in high throughput. With it, a complete pattern of gene expression is the primary readout for a high throughput screen (HTS). Drs Kris and Felder sought a method for starting HTS screening very early in a project, when genomics data suggest that a group of genes correlate with a disease state, but before mechanistic data is available. They worked to find a process to make microarray transcription assays (typically a low-precision process) to be accurate and precise enough for use in HTS. They found that nuclease protection procedures were very robust, and could be precisely quantified in multiplexed format using microarrays rather than gels. Drs Kris and Felder were awarded three Patents for the process. The first two patents covered the underlying technology (Felder and Kris) which is being commercialized by HTG (see below), while the third patent described a particular application for the technology for ESTs which has not yet been commercialized (Felder, Kris, Seligmann).

High Throughput Genomics, Inc. (HTG), owns and markets the technology. HTG funded its initial development, through its sister company, SIDDCO, Inc. and has licensed its use to several pharmaceutical or biotech companies.  HTG markets plates and reagents for a “96-16” assay, that is a microarray assay of 16 genes tested in each well of 96-well plates; and recently they introduced “384-4” assay, testing four genes per well in 384-well plates. Development was partially funded by an NIH SBIR awarded to NuvoGen Research (then NeoGen), Phase I CA 84874.

Three SBIR grants were awarded to NuvoGen Research with HTG, Inc. as a subawardee for developing specific screening assays that made use of ArrayPlate. Sample data from each award can be viewed through the following links.

NIAID SBIR  Dr. Towia Libermann, Beth Israel, Boston, Mass was our consultant to screen for compounds that control the expression of transcription factors involved in inflammation.