Cell-based screening technologies

Cell-based assays typically apply primary cell lines [71], immortalized cell lines [72], engineered cell lines [73], and specific cell types differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients or normal human cells [74]. The throughput of cell-based screening has been greatly improved with advances in new assay technologies, which allows cell-based assays to be miniaturized to allow the rapid screening of large chemical libraries. 

Cronk D (2001) Cell-based high-throughput screening of ion channels using FLIPR and VIPR membrane potential assay technology. Presented at 7th annual conference of Society for Biomolecular Screening, Baltimore, MD, 10-13 September 2001. SBS, Danbury, Abstract no 119... 

At present, the use of primary cells in the pharmaceutical industry is not as common as the use of recombinant cell-based assays. A rough estimate shows about 20% of all initial screening is carried out using primary cells and the rate is about the same for secondary screening. The use of primary cells is expected to increase in the next few years as emerging technologies start appearing on the market. 

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