MICRO-TAG® CELLULAR TARGET ENGAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY
MICRO-TAG® is a cellular target engagement technology designed to quantify ligand–target interactions in native cellular environments. By converting target engagement into a measurable fluorescent signal, MICRO-TAG® enables reproducible, scalable and quantitative assays suitable for modern discovery workflows.
Core Technology Principle
A short 15-amino acid peptide tag is fused to the protein of interest, which complements with a detection partner to form an active enzyme only when the target protein is properly folded and accessible. Ligand binding alters the thermal or kinetic stability of the target protein, modulating enzyme activity and producing a measurable fluorescence signal.
Measurement Modes
Temperature-Series Measurements
Temperature-Series Measurements
Temperature-Series Measurements
Assess ligand-induced stabilization or destabilization of target proteins across a temperature gradient to derive quantitative engagement metrics.
Real-Time Kinetic Readouts
Temperature-Series Measurements
Temperature-Series Measurements
Monitor engagement dynamics over time to capture binding kinetics, residence effects, and mechanistic differences between compounds.
Native Cellular Environment
Temperature-Series Measurements
Native Cellular Environment
Measurements are performed in intact cells or lysates, preserving cellular context and avoiding artifacts common to biochemical-only assays.
QUANTITATIVE OUTPUTS
Target Engagement Metrics
Compound Ranking & Prioritization
Compound Ranking & Prioritization
Derive quantitative values such as Tagg₅₀ to enable objective comparison across compounds, targets, and experiments.
Compound Ranking & Prioritization
Compound Ranking & Prioritization
Compound Ranking & Prioritization
Standardized outputs allow reliable ranking of compound series and identification of weak or non-engaging hits early in discovery.
Cross-Program Comparability
Compound Ranking & Prioritization
Cross-Program Comparability
Consistent assay outputs enable comparison across projects, targets, and campaigns without assay reconfiguration.
INSTRUMENT COMPATIBILITY
The technology has been already verified compatible with commonly used real-time qPCR instruments such as QuantStudio (Thermo Fisher) and Cielo (Azure Biosystems).
TECHNOLOGY MATURITY & ORIGIN
Patented Technology
Extensively Validated
Extensively Validated
MICRO-TAG® is patented under two patents: US12510537B2 and US20230204594A1. The first one covers the assembly and biochemistry of the MICRO-TAG system. The second one covers utility of the MICRO-TAG enzyme complementation in real time systems and its integration. Published: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41285198/
Extensively Validated
Extensively Validated
Extensively Validated
MICRO-TAG® was developed and refined through extensive internal and collaborative discovery programs, including target validation, hit progression, and cellular DEL campaigns. Insights from these programs informed the standardization of the technology into reagent-based formats.
WHY MICRO-TAG®
Target-Agnostic
Scalable & Integrated
Mechanistically Deep
Measures cellular target engagement independent of target class or functional readout, enabling a unified assay framework across diverse single proteins and complexes.
Mechanistically Deep
Scalable & Integrated
Mechanistically Deep
Captures ligand-induced stabilization and destabilization in cells through temperature-series and real-time measurements, revealing binding dynamics beyond binary engagement.
Scalable & Integrated
Scalable & Integrated
Scalable & Integrated
Delivers standardized quantitative outputs using workflows compatible with common lab infrastructure, supporting cross-project comparability and program-scale deployment.
Accessing MICRO-TAG® Technology
MICRO-TAG® technology is available through a family of standardized reagent kits and scientific solutions designed to support different discovery needs.
MICRO-TAG® provides a rigorous, quantitative foundation for evaluating target engagement in cellular systems.
CellarisBio
San Diego, California, USA
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