Advances in high‐throughput mass spectrometry in drug discovery

Abstract High‐throughput (HT) screening drug discovery, during which thousands or millions of compounds are screened, remains the key methodology for identifying active chemical matter in early drug discovery pipelines. Recent technological developments in mass spectrometry (MS) and automation have...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria Emilia Dueñas, Rachel E Peltier‐Heap, Melanie Leveridge, Roland S Annan, Frank H Büttner, Matthias Trost
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2023-01-01
Series:EMBO Molecular Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.202114850
Description
Summary:Abstract High‐throughput (HT) screening drug discovery, during which thousands or millions of compounds are screened, remains the key methodology for identifying active chemical matter in early drug discovery pipelines. Recent technological developments in mass spectrometry (MS) and automation have revolutionized the application of MS for use in HT screens. These methods allow the targeting of unlabelled biomolecules in HT assays, thereby expanding the breadth of targets for which HT assays can be developed compared to traditional approaches. Moreover, these label‐free MS assays are often cheaper, faster, and more physiologically relevant than competing assay technologies. In this review, we will describe current MS techniques used in drug discovery and explain their advantages and disadvantages. We will highlight the power of mass spectrometry in label‐free in vitro assays, and its application for setting up multiplexed cellular phenotypic assays, providing an exciting new tool for screening compounds in cell lines, and even primary cells. Finally, we will give an outlook on how technological advances will increase the future use and the capabilities of mass spectrometry in drug discovery.
ISSN:1757-4676
1757-4684