The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) has launched the DEL CoreBank Platform, a public drug discovery service that uses DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) technology to screen tens of millions of compounds simultaneously. This platform provides domestic researchers with a faster, more cost-effective alternative to expensive overseas outsourcing, aiming to accelerate the discovery of drugs for cancer and infectious diseases.
How does DEL technology accelerate the drug discovery process?
Traditional drug discovery relies on High Throughput Screening (HTS), where researchers analyze compounds individually in separate wells. According to KRICT, screening one million compounds using conventional HTS could take approximately two months, even when using sixty 384-well plates per day. This method requires significant time, high costs, and large quantities of protein samples.
DEL technology changes this workflow by attaching unique DNA sequences to compounds, acting like microscopic barcodes. This allows researchers to mix vast numbers of compounds into a single solution for a single experiment. KRICT reports that even when the number of compounds exceeds tens of millions, the screening process can be finished within one month.
DEL technology uses a “synthesis-and-splitting” cycle. By repeating this cycle with different chemical building blocks, researchers can generate a mixed library of one million compounds from just a few hundred starting materials.
Comparing HTS and DEL Screening Methods
The following comparison highlights the efficiency gains reported by KRICT regarding the scale and speed of compound screening:
| Feature | Conventional HTS | DEL Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Screening Method | Individual compounds in separate wells | Mixed solutions in a single experiment |
| Time for 1M Compounds | Approximately 2 months | Under 1 month |
| Compound Capacity | Limited by plate volume/time | Tens of millions simultaneously |
Why is the DEL CoreBank Platform important for South Korean industry?
Until this launch, many domestic companies had to rely on in-house platforms or outsource screening to expensive overseas providers. This dependency often led to high costs and concerns regarding the leakage of sensitive research information. The DEL CoreBank Platform aims to provide a domestic alternative for industry, academia, and research institutes.
To encourage adoption, service fees are being reduced by 50% through 2027. This reduction is supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea under the “CoreBank Construction Project Based on a Large-Scale DNA-Encoded Library Platform.”
Dr. Jung-Nyoung Heo, Director of the DEL Research Center, stated that the initiative will help reduce South Korea’s dependence on overseas DEL technologies and support efficient domestic drug discovery processes from initial hit discovery to follow-up validation.
What role does Artificial Intelligence play in identifying drug candidates?
Because DEL experiments use mixed solutions, they are susceptible to errors such as nonspecific binding to impurities or the preferential amplification of certain DNA sequences. To solve these technical hurdles, KRICT developed AI-based analysis methods. These models are trained on large-scale experimental datasets to recognize specific structural patterns associated with strong protein-binding affinity.
The process follows these steps:
- Binding: The compound mixture is exposed to target proteins.
- Sequencing: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) identifies which DNA barcodes remain after binding.
- Decoding: Computational processes match DNA fragments to the original chemical structures.
- Selection: Machine-learning-based analysis selects the top 50 compounds predicted to have the highest drug potential.
KRICT President Seok-Min Shin noted that providing these advanced services through a platform established with domestic technologies is a meaningful step for Korean researchers.
If your project requires it, the platform also supports the resynthesis of pure compounds without DNA barcodes and provides experimental validation against your specific target proteins.
Who is currently using the DEL CoreBank Platform?
Several major organizations have already begun utilizing the service to advance their research. These include Daewoong Pharmaceutical, iLAB Inc., the National Cancer Center, Ewha Womans University, and GIST.
The platform is designed to support the discovery of small-molecule drug candidates for a variety of medical needs, specifically targeting cancer, immune diseases, and infectious diseases. Researchers can apply for services through the DEL Research Center menu on the Korea Chemical Bank website, following a review process that checks for target overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) technology?
It is a method that attaches unique DNA “barcodes” to chemical compounds, allowing millions of different structures to be screened in a single test using sequencing technology.
How much does the service cost?
Through 2027, service fees are temporarily reduced by 50% due to support from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Can the platform help with specific disease targets?
Yes, the platform is intended to assist in finding drug candidates for cancer, immune-related diseases, and infectious diseases.
How do I apply for the service?
Applications are processed through the DEL Research Center menu on the official Korea Chemical Bank website.
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