# FIND platform screens molecular modulators with DNA nanoswitches in vitro

- Published: 2026-11-06 15:25 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Biotechnology
- Tags: DNA nanoswitches, FIND screening platform, protein-protein interactions, ternary complexes, Science journal
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-fcfc7c029d664d3040a241e8_find_platform_screens/

**Researchers combined DNA nanoswitch selection with sequencing to identify compounds that induce or enhance protein-protein interactions.**

![FIND platform screens molecular modulators with DNA nanoswitches in vitro](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/93ac449adc046a01.jpg)
*Authors of the study:

   Stefan A. Hoffmann
   James Diggans
   Douglas Densmore
   Junbi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0*

Researchers developed Functional Interaction–based Nanoswitch Discovery (FIND), an ultrahigh-throughput screening platform that identifies compounds modulating protein-protein interactions, as reported in Science [1]. The method combines DNA nanoswitch–based selection of nucleotide-encoded libraries with next-generation sequencing to directly detect multibody molecular interactions and ternary complex formation [1].

The authors demonstrated the platform in vitro by screening for molecules that influence specific target proteins [1]. The team used FIND to discover nanobodies that stabilize the interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the receptor-binding domain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1]. Additionally, the workflow identified peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma agonists from a DNA-barcoded small-molecule library [1].

Standard screening techniques often lack sufficient throughput or struggle to directly analyze multibody interactions [1]. According to the authors, the approach provides a rapid mechanism to discover molecular modulators that induce or increase targeted protein complexes [1].

## Sources

1. [Science](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adt7185)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-fcfc7c029d664d3040a241e8_find_platform_screens/