Combinatorial synthesis hits the spot

Researchers in Germany have developed a new strategy for synthesizing small organic molecules, in which compounds are created in a spot format on polymeric membranes. Spot synthesis is an approach for synthesizing and screening compound libraries on paper or other planar solid supports in a parallel or simultaneous manner. One of the strategies developed by research scientist Lorenzo Williams of Sintef Applied Chemistry , Oslo, Norway employs thin-layer chromatography plates used for combinatorial synthesis and screening. The chemical reactions are carried out in small spots in spot synthesis on functionalized planar supports made of paper, cloth, or polymer. Chemical building blocks are deposited on the supports by robotic or manual pipetting. The use of modern instrumentation allows up to 8,000 spots to be deposited on a planar support the sheet of paper. Biological screening tests, such as assays to detect binding interactions, can be performed directly on the support or on spots that have been cut out and dissolved in the reagent solution.