The cell-based assay of the present invention exploits the biology of FAK in conjunction an inducible gene expression system to exogenously control FAK expression and FAK phosphorylation at the tyrosine residue at position 397 (Y<397>). The cell-based assay of the present invention is flexible and can measure FAK phosphorylation at Y397, total FAK phosphorylation, identify mutant FAK proteins and measure a combination of protein and phosphotyrosine.
