PerspectiveFeatureSemiconductor technology in protein kinase research and drug discovery: sensing a revolution

•We developed a new dual detection technology for protein phosphorylation.•The technology combines electrolyte insulator semiconductor and localised surface plasmon resonance.•It does not require radioactive labelling or phospho-specific antibodies.•It offers the possibility to follow the phosphorylation reaction in real time.•It is a formidable tool for kinase inhibitor drug discovery.

Since the discovery of protein kinase activity in 1954, close to 600 kinases have been discovered that have crucial roles in cell physiology. In several pathological conditions, aberrant protein kinase activity leads to abnormal cell and tissue physiology. Therefore, protein kinase inhibitors are investigated as potential treatments for several diseases, including dementia, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune and cardiovascular disease. Modern semiconductor technology has recently been applied to accelerate the discovery of novel protein kinase inhibitors that could become the standard-of-care drugs of tomorrow. Here, we describe current techniques and novel applications of semiconductor technologies in protein kinase inhibitor drug discovery.