About the High-throughput Screening Core

The High-throughput Screening Core (HTSC) in the Perelman School of Medicine provides expertise and infrastructure to facilitate the development and implementation of professional High-throughput screening services. We have the capabilities to perform HTS in both biochemical and cell-based assays using state-of-the-art equipment. We can perform genetic or small molecule screens to identify genes or small molecule modulators of diverse processes in diverse models including primary cells.  The HTSC educates and assists scientists with HTS assay development, optimization, miniaturization, implementation, analysis, and validation. We can develop new assays or run validated HTS assays. In addition, the HTSC maintains libraries of siRNA, shRNA, cDNA, and FDA-approved/FDA-like organic small molecule libraries for HTS.  Moreover, we routinely prepare custom libraries for single-point or dose-response screening. The HTSC provides robotics infrastructure and technically trained staff for primary HTSs as well as secondary screens to validate candidates. The HTSC also provides assistance with the preparation of grant applications and Letters of Support, offering HTS resources and analysis expertise for the proposed research.

Announcements

 

Call for Pilot Projects on Early Drug Discovery & Artificial Intelligence

The High-throughput Institute for Discovery (HIT-ID) and the Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI) are pleased to announce a call for pilot project proposals that explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in early-stage drug discovery. This initiative aims to support innovative, high-impact projects that integrate AI-driven methodologies to accelerate, enhance, or redefine the early phases of drug development. This Pilot program is supported by the Stephen J. Heyman Fund for Artificial Intelligence Innovation.

Key Details:

  • Funding: Up to $100,000 per project

  • Duration: 1 year

  • Deadline: July 1, 2025

  • Focus Areas: Virtual screening, hit identification, compound design, predictive modeling, and AI-based data analysis

How to Apply:
Submit a single PDF with cover page, biosketches, project summary, and budget to tori.gordillo@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Click here for full submission guidelines and scope

 

Symposium Thursday September 18th, 2025

The UPenn High-throughput Screening Core (HTSC) and the High-Throughput Institute for Discovery (HIT-ID) is hosting a symposium on Thursday September 18h, 2025 in the Gaulton Auditorium, BRB II/III from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and is open all faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and laboratory staff free of charge. We are delighted that Jennifer Golden, PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will give the Keynote Address on development of antivirals against emerging pathogens.  In addition, investigators at PENN will present their studies using high-throughput screening in basic science and drug discovery. The symposium will highlight resources and capabilities of the HTSC, and demonstrate how high-throughput screening can impact basic and translational medicine across disciplines. Program details and additional information will be available soon. Please use the QR code below to register.

 

 

Latest News