TTP Labtech supports drug discovery at Nottingham University
Installs storage facility for more than 100,000 small molecules for high throughput screening
TTP Labtech, a UK-based developer and manufacturer of automated laboratory equipment, has installed a Compound sample storage system and Compiler tube-to-plate processing system at the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Biomolecular Science in the UK.
The fully automated facility for the Managed Chemical Compound Collection (MCCC) provides storage for more than 100,000 drug-like small molecules for high throughput compound screening. The facility is key, not only to the University’s drug discovery research but also provides services to pharmaceutical and biotech industry partners, generating growth potential for the University.
The Compound modular system provides a fully automated storage and dispensing facility for chemical and biological compound libraries. Up to 100,000 1.4mL tubes or 200,000 0.5mL microtubes can be stored per unit in a temperature-controlled, dry, inert, hermetically sealed environment. Sample storage in microtube format allows cherry picking of only the samples of interest and mitigates risks of sample degradation from unnecessary freeze/thaw cycles, which are inherent with plate-based systems.
Professor Peter Fischer, director of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, said: ‘Translational research is a key focus in the University. Worldwide pharmaceutical companies are turning to academic partners to support compound screening for drug r&d. The long-term vision is to provide a unique compound collection attractive to academic and pharma partners – especially SMEs without their own collections.’
Simon Tullett, product manager for Compound and Compiler, added: ‘With scope to integrate up to six Compound stores simultaneously with the Compiler platform, you can minimise your initial investment in capital equipment, yet still grow your library and your throughput when required.’