Consider high-throughput screening
(HTS), a method used by pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies to expedite
the discovery of potential new drugs.
Systems for HTS are designed to measure
interactions between substances and
target biological pathways, helping
researchers identify active compounds,
antibodies, or genes that may lead to
the development of new drugs. On the
technology side, HTS systems utilize
automated robotics, data processing
software, liquid handling devices, and
sensitive detectors to conduct a large
number of tests in a short period of time.
By leveraging HTS and its underlying
technology, researchers can quickly
analyze the effects of many compounds
on biological targets, significantly cutting
down on the time and cost associated
with traditional drug discovery methods.
Achieving this kind of performance
requires faster sample throughput rates
that necessitate reliable and accurate
systems with the ability to take many
measurements without distortion.
Underlying components must offer
high precision and reliability, such that
measured results are repeatable and the
margin of error is reduced. Systems need
minimal noise to identify weak measured
signals without distortion.
Another important classification
of scientific instrumentation is
environmental and process monitoring—
the systematic observation and
measurement of conditions in natural and
industrial settings to better understand
our environment, conduct research,
ensure compliance with regulatory
standards, and optimize operational
efficiency. There are separate elements
of focus here, including environmental
health as well as process monitoring for
operational efficiency.
Instruments used in environmental
and process monitoring are designed
C h a p t e r 2 | S c i e n t i f i c I n s t r u m e n t s
Society's increasing demand for
advancements in industries like
biotech and pharmaceuticals
present the biggest challenge
to engineers. Testing and
measurement are essential for
ensuring the effectiveness of these
new technologies."
Jason Muller
Senior Instrumentation Engineer, Thermo Fisher Scientific
13
8 Industry Experts Discuss the Role of Instrumentation in Modern Technology
