Academic DNA-Encoded Library Resource

Our goal is to enhance and accelerate the validation and translation of new drug targets identified by the UK academic biomedical research community.

In order to achieve this we will establish a DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) screening resource that will provide cost-free and commitment-free access to high-throughput compound screening for academic research groups, by; 1) Designing and preparing DNA-encoded libraries containing 5-10 million diverse and drug-like compounds, representing a unique resource for academic researchers. 2) Utilising these libraries to undertake 40 target selections against novel protein targets for academic users, delivering validated hit compounds to >20 research groups by 2025. 3) Developing a sustainable and expandable resource which will continue to deliver beyond the current funding period.

DELs are an established screening approach that are utilised by the majority of large pharmaceutical companies.

The technology allows for the rapid identification of ligands for a target protein with a very simple protocol compared to other screening approaches.

Active compounds are identified by affinity selection of protein-binding compounds from libraries containing millions of different compounds that are each linked to a unique DNA sequence. The DNA tag allows for rapid and high-throughput deconvolution of the active compounds by next-generation sequencing.