CORE APPLICATION AREAS
Cellular DEL Discovery
Description: DNA-encoded library campaigns generate large numbers of candidate binders, but validating on-target engagement in cells remains a key challenge. MICRO-TAG® enables cellular validation of DEL hits to support confident prioritization.
Questions Addressed:
• Do DEL hits engage the target in cells?
• Which hits should be prioritized for synthesis?
• Are apparent binders biologically relevant?
Hit Validation & Optimization
Description: Early hit lists often contain compounds that perform well in biochemical assays but fail to engage the target in cells. MICRO-TAG® enables direct measurement of cellular target engagement, helping teams distinguish true cellular hits from false positives.
Questions Addressed:
• Does this compound engage the target in cells?
• How does engagement compare across a series?
• Are observed phenotypes likely on-target?
Challenging Drug Targets
Description: Targets such as transcription factors, chromatin remodelers, and multi-protein complexes are difficult to evaluate using traditional engagement assays. MICRO-TAG® provides a flexible cellular approach for assessing engagement across these challenging target classes.
Target Classes:
• Transcription factors
• Chromatin-associated proteins
• Protein–protein interactions
• Multi-component complexes