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Frequently Asked
Questions
What services does ChemCORE
provide?
-
High throughput screens
against targets of interest,
assay development and HTS
implementation
-
Provide selected compound
collections for your
experiments
-
Large scale liquid handling
services, e.g.,
compound, nucleic acid, and
cell strain re-formatting
-
Cell line generation and assay
development
-
Follow-up analyses such as
affinity measurements, counter
screens and toxicity profiling
screens
-
Data analyses (such as high
content image processing, SAR,
etc)
What hardware capabilities and
throughput does ChemCORE have?
Why should I choose your
facility (vs. doing myself)?
-
State-of-the-art robotics for
Low cost and better data
quality
-
Our diverse compound library
with annotated database
-
High throughput robotics and
detection capability
-
Know-how in high throughput
assay development and
implement
What about intellectual property
and data ownership?
-
Your screen evaluated and/or
performed by ChemCORE is
privileged information and
will be kept in strict
confidence.
-
For all fee-for-service
transactions, ChemCORE does
not participate your
intellectual property
ownership.
Will ChemCORE serve non-Hopkins
laboratories?
-
Yes. We have performed
screens for other research
institutions/universities and
major pharmaceutical
companies. The costs will be
different to reflect
the university-sponsorship.
(see
Service Cost
)
-
ChemCORE performs assays, per
customer's request, according
to
Assay Guidance Manual.
What background does ChemCORE
staff have?
-
Biology
-
Chemistry
-
Spectroscopy
-
Informatics
-
Automation
What compound library collection
does ChemCORE have?
-
We have approximately 200,000
compounds on site for both
diverse and focused screens.
See
Compound collection
Can you help develop my assay?
-
Yes. Among more than 50% of
screens performed in ChemCORE,
we actively involved in assay
development and optimization
to increase the throughput and
data quality. As results, it
decreases the overall cost and
reagent requirement.
What do I need to provide and
how do I proceed?
-
an assay amenable for HTS (or
a target for HTS assay
development)
-
any special reagents such as
cell lines, constructs,
purified proteins, positive
controls etc
-
an internal JHU budget number
or purchase order number for
invoices.
What kind of sample does
ChemCORE need, how much
(protein/cell line)?
-
This will be determined after
initial consultation
Can ChemCORE help prepare my
sample (protein/cell line)?
-
Yes. ChemCORE has a list of
cell lines available for
not-for-profit research
purposes. See
Cell Line Collections.
If your targets are not among
those listed, we are happy to
discuss developing a cell line
suitable for your screen.
What plate format does ChemCORE
use?
-
Most of assays are in 96 or
384-well format. Our robotics
is capable of more 1536
format.
How much do I expect in terms of
my own involvement?
-
It depends on the assay. If
your assay is well-developed
and relatively routine, we
expect little involvement
after the initial reagent
transfer and validation. If
your assay requires special
attention, for instance, high
content image analyses, it is
of special benefit for you or
someone in your staff to
participate data acquisition
and analyses.
What is the work flow for a
typical screen?
-
Complete
Customer Information Sheet
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Provide
Assay Information,
screening library and scale
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Initial project meeting to
determine feasibility and
action items
-
Estimate plan, schedule and
schedule for assay validation
and robotic implementation
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Receive your approval
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Complete the validation and
implementation, optimization
as needed
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Generate standard operation
procedure (SOP) for your
screen
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Please cost and time estimate
-
Receive your approval
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Screening, data acquisition,
analyses and report
preparation
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Data delivery
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Invoice and billing
How long will my screen take?
-
After initial project meeting,
the action item will detail
how long it will take for
assay adaptation and
automation (Assay
Implementation).
-
Upon completing Assay
implementation, the SOP
(Standard Operation Procedure)
will detail specific
time/schedule of data
acquisition and report
delivery.
How does ChemCORE estimate cost?
-
A typical screen consists of
three types of costs: (1)
personnel, (2)
supplies/reagents and (3)
equipment usage. As discussed
above, all cost will be
pre-approved by customers
prior to action.
-
During assay
development/implementation
stage: ChemCORE charges
$35/hr/FTE (personnel) and
$35/hr for any one or a
combination of equipment
usage time. The reagents
and supplies are charged
based on the cost. See
Service Costs.
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During screen,
ChemCORE charges $75/hr/FTE
and $75/hr for any one or a
combination of equipment
usage time. The reagents
and supplies are charged
based on the cost. See
Service Costs.
-
For all screens performed so
far, the cost performed in
ChemCORE is similar to or
lower than what would cost if
the assays were performed
manually by customer labs.
The special benefits for
robotics-aided screen are
better throughput, data
quality and cost saving.
How would I receive the data and
in what format?
-
You will be able to view
screening progress online by
accessing your data folder via
a secure internet connection
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We will deliver reports in
electronic files via FTP or in
CDs.
-
Other output form Oracle
Database. You can also
analyze your data using one of
ChemCORE analysis terminals
and informatics software.
How can I evaluate the validity
of the hits?
We keep all the data including
quality control data to
facilitate evaluation.
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Validate assay with selected
library
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Quality control in whole
process
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Data mining method
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Biological and biochemical
research
Will ChemCORE perform virtual
screens?
ChemCORE has a collaborative
agreement with
SIPBS
and
SIDR
of University of Strathclyde to
perform virtual screen service.
Please contact us at
info@hopkinschemcore.org
with a proposal to enter
collaboration with Strathclyde.
I have other questions?
Please contact us at
info@hopkinschemcore.org.
Your questions will be answered
promptly.
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