A Call for Innovation in Drug Screening: Integrating Genetically Encoded Biosensors for Deeper Insights

Current drug screening methods, such as MTT assays, offer limited insights into cellular mechanisms and drug modes of action. Ethical and regulatory changes are reducing in vivo experiments, increasing the need for advanced in vitro tools. Genetically encoded biosensors provide real-time, detailed monitoring of cellular responses, enhancing drug screening efficiency and effectiveness. Our studies demonstrate their value in understanding nitric oxide dynamics in cardiovascular pharmacology and assessing iron supplement efficacy under physiological oxygen conditions. Integrating these biosensors into drug screening protocols can significantly improve the development of safer and more effective therapeutics.