# MaxCyte Scalable Transfection System

> **NIH NIH S10** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2022 · $105,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
The Scripps Research Molecular Screening Center (SRMSC) is requesting funds for the purchase of a
MaxCyte ExPERT STx® Scalable Transfection instrument to replace an older unit which has reached
end-of-life service. The MaxCyte is an electroporation instrument capable of producing highly efficient
transfections of plasmid DNA, siRNA, RNAi and more, while maintaining high cell viability.
Electroporation uses electrical pulses to create temporary pores in cell membranes through which
substances can pass into cells to create either transient or stable transfections of all cell types. Although
lipid and PEI reagent-based transfections are adequate for small batch production as used in bench-top
research, their use for large batch transfections becomes cost prohibitive especially for high throughput
screening (HTS) needs or extensive research projects that require the consistency of a large single
batch transfection to sustain longer term research needs. The current MaxCyte STX instrument was
acquired in 2006 in support of NIH's MPLCN program, but after ~15-years of usage, the OEM vendor
has decided to discontinue support (December 31, 2021) and will no longer sell, lease, repair, upgrade
or provide maintenance to this end-of-life instrument. While there are several manufacturers of
electroporation instruments, the MaxCyte STX is uniquely suited to the magnitude of the SRMSC
operations and is designed for a niche that requires the agility to perform micro- to macro- scale
transfections in support of our AUT users and HTS needs. Not surprisingly, many comprehensive HTS
screening centers (both Pharma & academic) employ electroporation transfection systems. High
Throughput Screening (HTS) in transient cell-based expression systems has become an indispensable
tool for probe development and drug discovery and the Scripps Research Molecular Screening Center
(SRMSC) has been in the forefront in serving NIH investigators at Scripps and other academic institutes.
Since establishing operations in 2005, we have screened over 370 targets to generate more than 100
million data points for our collaborators at Scripps and at other institutions. Over 136 scientific papers
and numerous presentations demonstrate our ability to produce excellent research-driven data. Our
screening results have led to the development of over 77 bioactive molecular probes against novel drug
targets including some that have successfully advanced as INDs for clinical trial testing and eventually
NDA/FDA drugs (e.g., ZEPOSIA® (a.k.a. ozanimod). The MaxCyte STX will allow SRMSC to fulfill its
current HTS screening obligations and continue to serve the NIH community at large with its
comprehensive HTS drug discovery capabilities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10418347
- **Project number:** 1S10OD032248-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Timothy Patrick Spicer
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $105,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-15 → 2023-08-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10418347

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10418347, MaxCyte Scalable Transfection System (1S10OD032248-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10418347. Licensed CC0.

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