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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T02577/01
Title: Small-Molecule Microarrays
Principal Investigator: Spring, Professor D
Other Investigators:
Welch, Dr M
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Genetix Ltd GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK)
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Faraday (PreFEC)
Starts: 01 October 2004 Ends: 30 September 2007 Value (£): 178,744
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Analytical Science Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The realistically-achievable programme for a three-year postdoctoral co-worker aims to validate the fabrication and exploitation small molecule microarrays (structured arrangement of small molecules such as pharmaceutical drugs in micron sized spots). Small molecule microarrays to date have suffered from low signal to noise ratios largely because they only have two-dimensional spot features, therefore we propose to use three-dimensional spot features to dramatically improve this. Small molecule microarrays will be fabricated and their properties assessed in order to optimise spot size, volume, assay compatibility and signal-to-noise ratio. The three dimensional microarrays will be used in (at least) three novel ways: 1) covalently attaching small molecules as probes (rather than DNA or proteins); 2) use gel pad microarrays as master templates and stamp replicates; and 3) use the hydrogel spots as spatially separated and addressable nano/pico litre 'wall-less test tubes'. In collaboration with two GSK CASE PhD students, a diversity-oriented and target-oriented library of different, discrete small molecules will be synthesised, all with appropriate functional groups compatible with covalent attachment to the small molecule microarrays. In collaboration with Genetix software will be developed for data handlinq and include intelligent feedback loos. The optimised small molecule microarrays will be exploited as an ultra hiqh throughput and low cost tool to identify molecular interactions between small molecules and any other molecular entity.
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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk