The four infrastructural elements for effective high throughput screening are Sample Sourcing, Screen Design, Robotic Hardware, and Data Management. These must all work together to achieve a balance between flexibility and productivity. Sample Sourcing can enhance the high throughput screening process when bar codes are used in a consistent and sensible manner which takes into account the way people think and work. Exploratory research that leads to core competencies in Screen Design can vastly streamline the development and implementation of a high throughput screen by providing scientist customers with specific guidelines which capitalize on your robotic strengths. Robotic Hardware architecture should be open to extension, computer-based, reliable, easy to use, and modified on an ongoing basis. Data Management needs to be pervasive and tie together the other components of the infrastructure. The essential ingredients, though, are motivated and well-trained people who will transform the tools of robotics and automation into the infrastructure needed for effective drug discovery.
