A HIGH THROUGHPUT ASSAY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF GENE EXPRESSION MODIFIERS
The present invention provides a method for screening of a large number of compounds for their ability to modulate the expression of genes. The method uses gene trap technology and comprises the steps of transfecting a population of cells with a gene-trap vector, sorting cells according to their level of fluorescence, distributing sorted cells into pools and expanding the pools to obtain a sufficient number of cells representing each trapped gene to permit distinction of the effect of a test compound over controls, exposing the cells to the test compounds and identifying compounds which alter the fluorescence distribution pattern of cells using FACS analysis.