BAC-SCREEN Platform
BAC-SCREEN is a level 2 biosafety platform devoted to high-content screening (HCS) on whole-cell bacteria. The platform works at the chemistry-biology interface to develop new molecules that aim to define and address concerns related to antibiotic resistance. It is specialized in the discovery of inhibitors of antibiotic resistance mechanisms linked to the bacterial membrane and to the efflux pump systems.
The platform realizes phenotypic screening for Active (Hits) identification, Hits characterization using biochemical or cell-based assays, and the optimization of their properties (Hit to Lead process).
The methods used are Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (according to CLSI, EUCAST standardized methods), checkerboard assays (assessment for synergy, additive activity, and antagonism), Time-killing assay, and cell–based membrane integrity and efflux pumps activity monitoring assays. Thanks to the chemistry equipment of the MCT laboratory, Bac-Screen can also propose pharmacomodulations of the selected molecules.
Bac-screen is a member of the national consortium GDRs « ChemBioScreen » and « Chembiologie » which brings together French research teams and academic screening platforms involved in chemical biology approaches.
It has recently, received the label « Plateforme technologique Aix-Marseille ».
Facilities
- 1 Tecan Freedom EVO 150 robotic system
- 1 Tecan Sparkä and 2 InfiniteÒ M200 Pro Multimode Microplate Readers (absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence) with automated reagent injection and temperature control
- 1 Class II microbiological safety station (MSC Advantage™)
- 1 Agilent liquide chromatography system
- 1 Waters LC/MS system
- A large and evolving collection of bacteria (clinical isolates ~ 1500, reference ~ 250 and genetically modified ~ 250 strains)
- Compound collections (~ 1000 compounds)
Opening
The platform is opened to academic laboratories and industrials and works by service or collaborative projects.
Teaching
Bac-screen is involved in the Master “Ingénierie de la santé” and welcomes second year students.
BAC-SCREEN’s clients and partners
NOSOPHARM (Nîmes), HTS BIO Laboratories (Gemenos), NAOS Institute of Life Science (Aix-en-Provence), CINAM (Aix-Marseille University), ISM2 (Aix-Marseille University), IMBE (Aix-Marseille University), Institut de Chimie Radicalaire (Aix-Marseille University), Institut de Chimie de Nice (Côte d’Azur University), ICMPE-UMR CNRS 7182 (Paris Est).
Contact
To apply for access, please contact the platform manager.