Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the PAS

ICHB-1 LABORATORY FOR MOLECULAR TEST DEVELOPMENT AND SCREENING TECHNOLOGIES

We invite you to collaborate in the design, optimization, and execution of high-throughput molecular and cellular assays. The goal of our laboratory is to establish an integrated, state-of-the-art research infrastructure tailored to current needs and trends in the field of drug discovery.

Our laboratory offers comprehensive support in assay development and screening campaigns during the early-stage identification of biologically active compounds. We operate an automated, modular high-throughput screening (HTS) platform that integrates the latest technologies in liquid handling, multiwell plate management, cell culture, and signal detection. This enables flexible, scalable, and reproducible research workflows.

System components include:

• an acoustic dispenser for precise, non-contact liquid transfer in nanoliter volumes (e.g., for transferring chemical libraries),
• multichannel liquid dispensers for rapid and accurate dispensing in biochemical and cell-based assays as well as in high-throughput (HT) cell cultures,
• an automated incubator enabling high-throughput cell culture operations,
• integrated plate readers for signal detection based on absorbance, fluorescence (including polarized and time-resolved fluorescence), and bioluminescence,
• a complete HTS platform management system, including control software and physical infrastructure (an enclosed cabinet allowing environmental condition control).

Our services include:

• classical screening and development of biochemical assays (including compound bioprofiling) based on absorbance, fluorescence (including fluorescence polarization and time-resolved fluorescence), and bioluminescence detection,
• cell-based screenings using 2D, 3D, and co-culture models (e.g., employing cell staining, membrane integrity assays, enzymatic activity monitoring, as well as fluorescent and bioluminescent reporters).

The offering also includes:

• development of both single- and multiparametric assays,
• miniaturization and optimization of assay conditions,
• automation and transfer of protocols to robotic HTS platforms,
• large-scale screening campaigns (from 1,000 to 100,000 chemical compounds),
• hit verification using:
  • orthogonal and counter-screens to confirm hit selectivity,
  • combinatorial screenings supported by analysis involving neural networks and machine learning algorithms,
• support in the identification and validation of molecular targets, elucidation of compound mechanisms of action, and analysis of ligand–target interactions,
• consulting and implementation of studies supporting HIT-to-LEAD processes.

ICHB-2 LABORATORY FOR BIOPHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS

We specialize in studying interactions between molecular targets and active compounds (HITs), both in classical protein–small molecule systems and in more complex interactions: protein–DNA, protein–RNA, protein–protein, and RNA–RNA.

As part of the POL-OPENSCREEN infrastructure, we offer comprehensive support at key stages of early drug development—from the validation of active compounds to their optimization in the HIT-to-LEAD phase. Our advanced approach also enables the deconvolution of phenotypic effects observed in cell-based screenings.

The use of modern, complementary biophysical and bioanalytical methods ensures high reliability of the obtained data while minimizing the risk of false positives. Our infrastructure allows for efficient, reproducible research that aligns with current trends in drug discovery.

System components include:

• An instrument for measuring molecular interactions using the nanolever technology, along with equipment for sample preparation and storage,
• A device for optimizing buffer composition for biological molecules,
• An instrument for isothermal titration calorimetry.

Our services include:

• Measuring interactions between proteins and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), as well as protein–protein interactions,
• Analyzing protein–small molecule interactions (e.g., ligands, drugs, metabolites),
• Determining binding parameters and enzymatic kinetics,
• Selecting and optimizing buffer compositions for biological molecule studies,
• Developing and preparing molecular assays,
• Supporting the molecular validation of targets, studying mechanisms of action of compounds, and analyzing ligand–target interactions,
• Preparing multiwell plates for high-throughput biochemical and biophysical measurements,
• Validating results obtained from high-throughput screenings.

ICHB-3 LABORATORY OF SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

We invite you to collaborate in the design, optimization and synthesis of bioactive compounds. The aim of the Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Chemistry is to co-create a high-performance, fully automated POL-OPENSCREEN infrastructure for the creation of bioactive compounds selected as “HITs” in the high-throughput screening process. This laboratory is also a key for the study of HIT-molecular target interaction, for the development of screening models and for the synthesis, semi-synthesis and biosynthesis of bioactive compounds (mainly as HITs), as well as for molecular probes in the HIT-to-LEAD optimization process, in the field of drug discovery.

System components include:

• The latest generation of Q-TOF LCMS system
• Compact HPLC with DAD detection and the possibility of connecting ELSD and fraction collector
• ELSD detector with compressor and connection accessories
• Incubator with shaking and cooling
• Laminar flow hood for working with fungi or bacteria
• Laboratory lyophilizer with accessories, e.g. -80°C freezer

Our services include:

• Molecule optimization – “hit to lead” – chemoinformatic design and chemical synthesis of biologically active molecules
• Biosynthesis, biocatalysis, semi-synthesis for compounds difficult to synthesize using classical methods
• Creation of libraries of compounds with potential biological activity and selection of existing libraries for bioactivity tests
• Automated purification, isolation and analysis of chemical compounds – from biological material or enzymatic reactions
• Support in studying the mechanisms of action of compounds and analysis of ligand-target molecular interactions
• Consulting and implementation of research supporting HIT-to-LEAD processes

Contact
Dorota Jakubczyk, PhD
Phone: +48 61 852 85 03
Internal: 1165
Email: djakubczyk@ibch.poznan.pl