Generation of biochemical response patterns of different substances using a whole cell assay with multiple signaling pathways

Abstract

Distinctive generation of biochemical response patterns of eight different substances, using an assay based on pigment containing cells, was demonstrated. Xenopus laevis melanophores, transfected with human beta(2)-adrenergic receptor, were seeded in a 96 well microplate and used to generate individual biochemical images through a two transient measuring protocol that contributes to highlight the response signatures of the agents. Adequate signal processing creates distinctive patterns in a time-concentration response space suitable for substance classification. The concept of biochemical images is introduced here. The assays were evaluated both with a standard microplate reader and with a computer screen photo-assisted technique (CSPT) yielding similar results. Since CSPT platforms only demand standard computer sets and web cameras as measuring setup, applications for these kind of assays outside main-laboratories were discussed.