title: UCSF Small Molecule Discovery Center: innovation, collaboration and chemical biology in the Bay Area.
abstract: The Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC) at the University of California, San Francisco, works collaboratively with the scientific community to solve challenging problems in chemical biology and drug discovery. The SMDC includes a high throughput screening facility, medicinal chemistry, and research labs focused on fundamental problems in biochemistry and targeted drug delivery. Here, we outline our HTS program and provide examples of chemical tools developed through SMDC collaborations. We have an active research program in developing quantitative cell-based screens for primary cells and whole organisms; here, we describe whole-organism screens to find drugs against parasites that cause neglected tropical diseases. We are also very interested in target-based approaches for so-called "undruggable", protein classes and fragment-based lead discovery. This expertise has led to several pharmaceutical collaborations; additionally, the SMDC works with start-up companies to enable their early-stage research. The SMDC, located in the biotech-focused Mission Bay neighborhood in San Francisco, is a hub for innovative small-molecule discovery research at UCSF.
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Arkin
authors.forename: Kenny K H
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merron
authors.forename: Yinyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Christopher G M
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco; 1700 4th St, Box 2552, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA. michelle.arkin@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Adam R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Renslo
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000458:organization & administration; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002140:California; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain; D017149:Private Sector; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration*
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries; C103742:potassium channel protein TREK-1