Method For Measuring Dynamics Of Self-Assembling Systems Of Biological Molecules In Vivo And Uses For Discovering Or Evaluating Therapeutic Agents

A method for measuring the rate of self assembly of subunits into biological molecular assemblages in a test living system as compared to a control living system, said method comprising:

• a) administering an isotope-labeled substrate to said living system for a first period of time sufficient for said substrate to be incorporated into at least one of said subunits and at least one of said molecular assemblages;
• b) obtaining a first sample from said living system;
• c) quantifying the amount of labeled molecular assemblages from said first sample;
• d) quantifying the amount of unincorporated labeled subunits;
• e) comparing the amount of labeled molecular assemblages to the amount of labeled molecular assemblage in a control living system;
• and
• f) comparing the amount of unincorporated labeled subunits to the amount of unincorporated labeled subunits in a control living system;
• to determine a difference in said rate of self assembly in said test living system as compared to said control living system.