New directions in kinetic high information content assays

Kinetic high information content assays can greatly inform our understanding of cell signalling. A new generation of fluorescence and electrical detection instruments facilitates the routine use of kinetic assays within drug discovery. New biosensors enable the detection of a wide variety of signalling molecules in real-time and the potential applications of new assay approaches, such as protein fragment complementation, new biosensors, and imaging techniques, such as fluorescence lifetime imaging, broaden the range of experimental options. Greater use of kinetic, compared with snapshot, cell screening assays will enable subtle, discrete effects of compounds to be detected, aiding the interpretation of compound action and leading to a better understanding of key signalling pathways.