Compound library management is inherent to the success of a high throughput screen. The library management system developed at Sphinx Pharmaceuticals accomplishes this through a series of Paradox and Orade database applications. This suite of applications allows compounds to be grouped as libraries, inventoried, and scheduled for testing in a screen. Compound libraries can be defied using any combination of source, structure, and target, and may be divided into sublibraries, allowing a flexible mix of compounds to be scheduled across several targets. Test requests can then be made for an entire library, sublibrary, or individual mother plates. The priority of requests is set by a combination of assay and compound source, allowing management of sources that require special handling. An inventory module tracks both physical volumes and the volume available for requests by plate and well. Positive sample tracking is maintained throughout the screening process from the time of request through the compound preparation process, to the date of test, and subsequent re-test if necessary. Furthermore, assay results can be tracked to the exact well on the assay plate. The tracking of this data allows a flexible diversity set for each target, tracks compound preparation to date, and facilitates the scheduling of preparation.
