Positive Control Sample

In the context of Single-Dose Screening and Affinity Screening, a positive control sample corresponds to a Ligand sample that is a well-known or well-characterized interactor of the Target (sometimes also called tool compound). The major purpose of the positive control sample is to ensure target stability throughout the time course of the screening. We recommend to run a positive control sample at least twice on a 384-well plate (see Plates) in single-dose screens and once in affinity screens. The positive control sample is also often used to establish assay conditions for the screening. It is therefore beneficial if the positive control sample is similar to the potential ligands that will be tested (e.g. use a small molecule positive control for a small molecule screening).