Automating the DMTA cycle in Astrazeneca

The main focus of the mechanistic biology and profiling (MBP) department at AstraZeneca is to perform regular (weekly/biweekly) biochemical and cellular assays that drive the DMTA cycle for chemistry projects. In order to deliver to a growing portfolio of assays, and accelerate project progression, we are increasingly leveraging automation in MBP. Here we highlight examples of assay automation in the DMTA space, including time-intensive live cell imaging workflows, and harmonised cell staining protocols. We illustrate the advantages of automation, enabling additional assays to be performed, enhancing consistency at no cost to data quality, whilst saving scientist hands on time per assay. Moreover, we show how we are extending our effective working hours, promoting more efficient usage of instrumentation, and providing extra assay capacity for larger campaign-based testing volumes (such as chemical libraries). Finally, we show how this approach accelerates the identification of molecular starting points through combining the workflow with automated high-throughput chemistry and AI-based image classification leading to streamlined data delivery and interpretation.