Image-based high-content reporter assays: limitations and advantages

Transcription factors are promising targets in many therapeutic areas, and reporter assays represent a mainstay of the cellular approaches utilized to study their functions. Traditional reporter assays lend themselves to screening applications, but do suffer from some disadvantages. During the past decade, the development of image-based high-content reporter assays has boosted transcription factor drug discovery and contributed to the understanding of their functions and molecular dynamics. This review summarizes and discusses the technical approaches currently employed in high-content reporter assays.

Section editors:Terence Kenakin – Glaxo Smith Kline, Systems Research 3-2104.2B, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USAAlan Wise – Edinburgh, UK