DNA-Encoded Library (DEL)
Fast Screening of Billions of Small Molecule Compounds
DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) technology enables affinity-based screening of very large chemical libraries using relatively small amounts of target protein and limited assay development. Each library compound is linked to a unique DNA barcode, allowing billions of compounds to be evaluated in pooled selections followed by DNA barcode decoding and enrichment analysis to identify potential binders.
In contrast to high-throughput screening, DEL requires very little target protein and minimal assay development. More importantly, it disrupts the concept of “cost-per-well” and enables testing of billions of compounds in a single tube.
DEL Services at WuXi Biology and Testing
Off-The-Shelf DEL Library
Access in-house DEL collections designed to support rapid screening across diverse chemical space.
DEL Library Construction
Develop custom DEL libraries tailored to target class, chemical space, and screening objectives.
From DEL Screening to Validated Hits
DEL screening results can be followed by off-DNA compound synthesis, orthogonal binding and functional assays, selectivity assessment, and structural studies to confirm activity and prioritize chemical matter. Integrating protein production, DEL selection, data analysis, hit validation, and downstream structural biology workflows can help distinguish meaningful binders from selection artifacts and support progression into hit-to-lead optimization.
Irreversible Covalent Modification
- Specially designed covalent DEL collection featuring diverse warheads targeting Cys, Lys, Tyr, or Ser
- Curated warhead set balancing reactivity and selectivity
- Optimized selection method enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio
- View our publication: Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Covalent Inhibitors from a DNA-Encoded Library Selection
Peptide Discovery
- Direct screening of peptide hits with enhanced affinity, specificity and improved degradation stability by incorporating 1000+ unnatural amino acids
- Various cyclization strategies established for peptide DEL customization
- Serving as an ideal tool for optimizing initial peptide hits from phage and mRNA display*
- View our publication: DNA-Encoded Macrocyclic Peptide Libraries Enable the Discovery of a Neutral MDM2–p53 Inhibitor
*Currently, we do not provide bacteriophage display, mRNA display, or ribosomal display-based screening services for bicyclic peptides constrained on a molecular scaffold. We do, however, provide a variety of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) screening services.
RNA as a Target
- Specialized DEL screening workflows optimized for charge compatibility and diverse RNA structures, while mitigating off-target RNA/DNA interactions to ensure high-confidence hits and accelerate drug discovery
- RNA-targeting focused DEL collection with specific scaffolds based on the structural motifs of known RNA binders
- View our publication: Development of a DNA-encoded library screening method “DEL Zipper” to empower the study of RNA-targeted chemical matter.
Screening Methods | More than Conventional DEL Screening
We offer a variety of screening methods, including:
- Conventional screening — a well-established method that suits a wide variety of targets, with the ability to design screening conditions to achieve the objective.
- Covalent library screening — for the search of irreversible binders for various targets through permanent linkage.
- Target RNA — for identifying RNA-binding molecules targeting disease-associated RNAs through DEL screening technology.
DEL Webinars
Hear from our experts in this collection of DEL webinars.
Empowering Small Molecule Drug Discovery by Automatic DEL Screening
Recent Advances in Peptide Drug Discovery
Screening Methods to Identify RNA-Targeting Small Molecules
Explore Solutions for Your Program
Explore solutions by development phase, drug modality, therapeutic area, or integrated discovery needs.
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