Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN)

Prebys Center is 1 of 4 national Comprehensive Centers in the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN). The Network allows grantee academic institutes, non-profit organizations and small biotechnology companies access to the ultra high-throughput screening (uHTS) capabilities of Prebys Center. MLPCN also allows access to small molecules that can be used as chemical probes to study the functions of genes, cells and biochemical pathways. It will provide new ways to explore the functions of major components of cells in health and disease.

MLPCN is designed to facilitate drug development by providing early stage small molecule leads. Researchers can use these leads to validate new drug targets with the potential to move into the drug development pipeline. MLPCN holds particular promise for rare diseases which may not be attractive for private sector development.

How do I access the MLPCN?

Of the three mechanisms, Fast Tracks are still active while the R03 and R21 mechanisms have expired.

• Apply for an R03 grant (PAR-09-129) - screen your HTS-ready assay against the full NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR). Currently contains about 300,000 structurally diverse small molecule compounds (will eventually reach 500,000). This program is currently expired.
• Apply for an R21 grant (PAR-08-024) - develop assays with high value targets leading to the development of novel high quality small molecule chemical probes. This program is currently expired.
• Seek "fast track" review of a HTS-ready assay from an existing ROI, UOI, POI grant for assignment into the Prebys Center and to access the complete range of Prebys Center capabilities. In addition, network support like secondary assay development, cheminformatics, and medicinal chemistry is available to help produce the optimum probe.

How can the Prebys Center help me achieve my goals?

For these new FOAs, Prebys Center can provide the following:

• Advice and assistance via telephone or email:
  • A 1-hour, free consultation
  • Assistance where an application was initially declined by NIH with a request for revision
  • Examples of successful grants for different types of assays including: biochemical, cell based, HCS, and more
  • A Letter of Support for NIH grant applications. We require 2 weeks advance notice prior to the grant deadline along with a short abstract outlining what you need
• The services listed below (on a fee-for-service basis):
  • State-of-art technology for generating preliminary data (proof of concept)
  • Staff expertise in all areas of assay development, HTS, HCS, Cheminformatics, medicinal chemistry, and NMR-fragment-based screening
  • Sanford-Burnham's "pilot" libraries to achieve proof of concept for the HTS or HCS assay (e.g. LOPAC set of 1280 compounds)
  • Mentoring for pre-application and guidance through the assay development stages, including help generating preliminary data and preparing a competitive application

Current MLPCN and Other Funding Opportunities

• New Methodologies for Natural Product Chemistry (R01)
• Pilot-Scale Libraries for High Throughput Screening (P41)
• Molecular Libraries Screening Instrumentation - SBIR/STTR
• Notice of Opportunity for Fast Track Entry of Assay Development Projects into the Roadmap Molecular Libraries Screening Centers Network
• NIH Website
• Molecular Libraries Initiative Small Molecule Repository
  
• PubChem
• Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN)
• National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
• Summary of new FOAs Replacing MLP