Methods For Screening Therapeutic Compounds

A method of selecting a test compound, comprising the steps of:

• (a) identifying a desired cellular response profile and a profile comparison criterion for a physiological condition of interest;
• (b) determining a cellular response profile for the test compound by:
• 1. introducing into an array of individually addressable microwells a population of cells comprising a plurality of cell types distinguishable by the presence or absence of cell surface markers;
• 2. contacting the cells with a detectable agent that specifically binds a cell surface marker;
• 3. contacting the cells with the test compound in the absence of other test compounds;
• and
• 4. detecting, on a microwell-by-microwell basis, (i) the presence or absence of the cell surface markers;
• and (ii) the presence or absence of a cellular response by the cells to the test compound;
• (c) comparing the cellular response profile for the test compound to the desired cellular response profile to determine whether the profile comparison criterion is satisfied;
• and
• (d) selecting the test compound if the profile comparison criterion is satisfied.