Which statement describes high-throughput screening?

• A. Uses a target-based assay and robotic automation to test thousands of compounds in a few days.
• B. Designs molecules based on target structure.
• C. Starts from natural ligand.
• D. Does not involve automation.

Answer: (A)

High-throughput screening is about rapidly testing huge libraries of compounds for activity against a defined biological target using automated, miniaturized assays. The statement that combines a target-based assay with robotic automation to evaluate thousands of compounds in just a few days captures that approach perfectly. The other ideas describe different drug-discovery strategies: designing molecules based on the target’s structure is structure-based or rational design; starting from a natural ligand points to natural product– or ligand-based lead discovery; and lacking automation would not reflect the automated, high-volume nature of HTS.