Molecular Devices introduces fatty acid uptake assay to target metabolic diseases

Molecular Devices Corporation announced the launch of its QBT Fatty Acid Uptake Assay Kit, the first assay kit that addresses the need for a single-step, homogenous in vitro assay for fatty acid uptake for use in high- throughput screening and metabolic disease research.

Defects in fatty acid metabolism have been linked to several pathological states, including insulin desensitization, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. The development of fatty acid uptake regulators as potential drugs is dependent upon having a rapid assay that can be used in high-throughput screening. Conventional assays using radioisotopes are expensive and time-consuming and have limited the ability of drug researchers to identify potential new drugs via high-throughput screening. The QBT Fatty Acid Uptake Assay removes these limitations by providing a rapid, reproducible, inexpensive method for laboratory screening.

Susan Williams-Clark, Director of Marketing at Molecular Devices stated, "Working together with researchers at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's Research Division, we have applied our proprietary quench technology to develop the first single-step homogenous assay for fatty acid uptake. Since this assay uses a fluorescence-based readout rather than a radioactivity-based one, it eliminates the safety risks associated with conventional radiolabel assays, in addition to being faster and easier to perform."

Williams-Clark continued, "Prior to the development of this assay, it was extremely difficult for drug discovery researchers to study fatty acid uptake processes and identify new regulators. We believe that the QBT Fatty Acid Uptake Assay Kit will enable high-throughput screening of these drug targets and enhance fatty acid metabolism research."

Similar to Molecular Devices' FLIPR Assay Kits, the QBT Fatty Acid Uptake Assay eliminates the need for cell washing steps, resulting in a faster, more streamlined route to drug discovery.