West LA Times

The Molecular Screening Shared Resource (MSSR) at the California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, has been redefining the traditional boundaries of academic research with its open-access technology platform. The facility, directed by Robert Damoiseaux, bridges academia and industry, drawing researchers worldwide. "CNSI isn't really just academia," Damoiseaux noted, explaining that the collaboration with pharmaceutical companies helps in building tools beneficial to both parties.

Damoiseaux's role involves solving scientific puzzles through interdisciplinary work, fitting for someone with positions at UCLA’s School of Medicine and the Samueli School of Engineering. "We have the tools to take on interesting problems. That keeps me busy and keeps me thinking," he said. MSSR, since 2004, has been pivotal in drug discovery and development, aiding investigations into cancer and other diseases. "We are all about tackling very difficult problems facing humankind," Damoiseaux commented.

Several drugs have originated from MSSR, including TRE-515, which began as a chemical compound discovered in 2010 and is now undergoing clinical trials. TRE-515 was licensed to a biopharma company by the UCLA Technology Development Group. "This molecule targets a universal process shared by all cancer cells," Damoiseaux explained. "Having a drug with wide applicability is very important from a practical point of view."

Another discovery, burkfloxacin, could aid in treating melioidosis, a tropical disease. "With some of our candidates reaching the clinic, we want to do even more in drug discovery," Damoiseaux added. The facility uses automation to allow high-throughput experiments, capable of testing over 10,000 samples a day. "It also frees us up to think and be productive in other areas," said Damoiseaux, emphasizing the facility's use of AI and machine learning.

MSSR integrates AI and automation, enabling precise experiment control and flexibility. "The technology was built around creating flexibility to enable research biology," explained Damoiseaux. This system allows experiments to be modified while running, offering a flexibility uncommon in robotics.

MSSR is also a training ground for future scientists, providing hands-on experience and teaching students to leverage advanced tools not typically available. "We're very democratic around here," mentioned Damoiseaux. The training aims to cultivate scientific, team, and social competence. Students develop confidence through repeated practice, embracing a culture Damoiseaux summarizes with the German word "Leistung," equating to performance in delivering quality work. Concluding, Damoiseaux expressed, "Ultimately, people who come out of MSSR have a pretty easy time finding jobs."