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Project

Mission

Advance the science of drug discovery in the Italian community by providing a physical platform for screening in a multi-target environment, and a forum of information exchange. Stimulate public-public and public-private collaborations on drug discovery programs, while protecting the interest of the originator laboratory.

POLICY AND WORKFLOW

The entry of new compounds in the Libra project is regulated by a signed Material Transfer Agreement (MTA-IN); similarly an MTA-OUT regulates the distribution of compound solutions to screening labs. 
It is the policy of Libra to protect the interest of the originator lab by:

  • distributing enough solution for screening (5 – 10 μL/well, 10mM in DMSO), not for further investigation;
  • alerting originator lab when additional compound is requested;
  • requesting that screening results from public organization is transferred back to originator lab;
  • delivering solid samples only after a collaboration agreement between originator and requestor lab is signed.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The solid compounds are stored under cooled, inert atmosphere, and periodically formatted as 10 mM DMSO solutions (< 1 mL) to be distributed in microwell plates. Each of these solutions may provide material for up to 100 biochemical screens while using less than 5 mg compound. For this reason, Libra acts as a strong amplifier of screening opportunities, favoring chances of finding active hits, and enhancing collaborations between synthesis and biology laboratories.

COLLECTION OF SAMPLES

Provided by Libra:

  • Barcode reader/Pre-tared barcoded vials
  • Data file format

To be provided by synthesis lab:

  • Filled vials (20+mg)
  • Updated File with compound data

Typical data set for each compound includes:

  • Barcode of rack and tube (sample container)
  • Molecular structure as file.skc (MDL format)
  • University/Department
  • Provider scientist with valid e-mail: this is the contact person for any communication referring to that molecular species
  • Bibliographic reference describing the synthesis (possibly DOI)