The Drug Discovery Centre, which is focused on cell-based screening in the area of cancer, is available to a wide range of medical researchers. The resource will operate on a fee-for-service basis, providing expertise and assistance in scaling laboratory assays for high throughput and robotic screening and conducting those screens. The main services include consultation, compound screening, high throughput experimentation, customised assay development and counter-screens.

The sponsoring laboratory will contact the Drug Discovery Centre Manager, Dr Greg Arndt, to review the specific goals of the screening project and the feasibility of converting the cell-based assay to a format for HTS. The Manager will consult with the designated staff within the sponsoring laboratory to develop and optimise the assay for HTS, preferably in a 384-well microtitre plate format.

In parallel, the sponsoring laboratory will complete and submit an application form to be reviewed by the Drug Discovery Centre Manager and the Drug Discovery Centre Project Review Committee. Upon successful review of the application, a Service Agreement will be established between the sponsoring laboratory and the Drug Discovery Centre outlining milestones, timelines, responsibilities, costing and deliverables.