# Highly Multiplexed Cell-Based GPCR Assay.

> **NIH NIH R44** · SPECTRAGENETICS · 2021 · $425,279

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Our goal is to commercialize a new assay system that detects and quantifies receptor
downregulation/desensitization, and receptor resensitization, for large numbers of
human GPCRs in parallel. This miniaturized, multiplexed and scalable system enables
diverse GPCR discovery projects, and it dramatically lowers the cost-per-target in
primary and secondary drug screens, thereby relieving major bottlenecks in the
development of new therapeutic molecules. In phase 1 of the proposed project, we will
validate in array transfection and assay automation for 23 human lipid and nucleoside
receptors. In phase 2 the set will be extended to include the complete human
endogenous GPCR repertoire. The new system will: (1) enable chemical and biologic
libraries to be screened against the complete human GPCR repertoire in a highly
multiplexed format, (2) improve drug development by revealing selectivity patterns that
can be addressed to produce more precisely targeted, and more effective, therapeutic
molecules, (3) provide an efficient means to deorphanize human GPCRs of uncertain
function, of which more than 100 presently exist, and (4) provide a new and affordable
tool for basic research.
!

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10077587
- **Project number:** 5R44MH122115-02
- **Recipient organization:** SPECTRAGENETICS
- **Principal Investigator:** G. Reid Asbury
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $425,279
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10077587

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10077587, Highly Multiplexed Cell-Based GPCR Assay. (5R44MH122115-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10077587. Licensed CC0.

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