Merck Millipore has introduced a software application for visualising G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and kinase activity.
The new Data Analysis and Report Tool (Dart), which can be accessed through the company's Drug Discovery portal, creates an interactive map of target-profiling assay results and is intended to enable drug researchers to make faster, more informed decisions.
Paul Wilhite, senior manager of e-business at Merck Millipore, said: 'Lead profiling often requires sifting through hundreds or even thousands of data points to pinpoint targets for further optimisation studies.
'This new online tool provides a unique, information-rich interface so scientists can rapidly narrow their research and effectively collaborate with colleagues,' he added.
The application projects each compound's activity profile onto a map depicting clusters of target protein families.
This map provides scientists with an immediate graphical insight into cross-target interactions to help drive structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
The application is fully customisable.
Data limits, sizing, colours and target subclasses can be adjusted in seconds, thereby turning numerical data into a graphical display that can highlight biologically significant conclusions.
In addition, selected target information is dynamically populated and includes the gene symbol and aliases; links to bioinformatics content and recent publications; and links to appropriate Merck Millipore products.
Clients of Merck Millipore's Kinaseprofiler and GPCRProfiler screening services can upload their data directly into the Dart or enter other datasets manually to take advantage of the software's analytical power and presentation-quality images.
