Application Notes

Understanding conformational changes in proteins and other biomolecules is important because of their critical roles in many biological functions and processes. These conformational changes are often small and fast, making it difficult to measure and monitor. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is capable to detect rather small conformational changes in surface bound molecules [1]. However, most SPR setups are not suitable

Both electrochemical and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) techniques measure various processes taking place at or near an electrode surface. Combining the two techniques allows one to obtain new insight into these interfacial processes. One example is redox-induced conformational changes in surface-bound protein molecules. However, most SPR setups are not suitable for monitoring fast kinetics or small thickness variations

In addition to studies of redox-induced conformational changes of surface-bound proteins (cf. Application Note #102), electrochemical SPR can be used to quantify the amount of metal electrodeposited onto a surface and reorganization of organic thin films upon redox reactions. A BI-SPR 1000 was used to quantify the amount of Cu deposited and stripped during Cu2+ reduction/Cu oxidation in a CuSO4 solution

Flow-injection SPR has been demonstrated as a viable alternative for sensitive detection of heavy metal ions at trace levels [1-4]. The impetus behind using SPR for elemental analysis stems from its high sensitivity, simplicity, compact design (for possible field-based work), and universal detection mechanism (e.g., any elemental species adsorbed onto the SPR sensor can cause a detectable signal). The challenge, however, is to prepare a chemically or

SPR has been demonstrated to be a powerful optical technique for bioaffinity studies at the solid/solution interface. In general, SPR measures the change in refractive index originated from the binding of a solution species with a molecule pre-immobilized onto the SPR sensor chip. The advantages of SPR include its simplicity, high sensitivity, obviation of sample labeling, and amenability for real-time analysis

SPR (SPR) has been demonstrated as a powerful technique for rapid, sensitive, and label-free genetic analysis [1-5]. When the sensor surface is coated with a single sensing (probe) DNA, SPR can be used for both affinity binding studies (i.e., kinetic measurements) and concentration detection of a target DNA. However, the concentration detection levels for SPR and SPR imaging are typically at low nanomolar (nM) [3, 4],

In restriction digestion, BSA has been used to stabilize enzymes during DNA digestion. It is also widely used as a biomolecule to block active sites on surfaces. Formation of the anti-BSA/BSA immune complex is relevant to studies of the receptor site of the red blood cells..

In recent years, SPR has been used as an alternative detector for monitoring elution of a variety of species (e.g., polysaccharides and proteins [1-4]) out of liquid chromatographic (LC) columns. In addition to simplicity and fast speed the SPR detector can detect any eluent, as long as its index of refraction is different from that of the carrier buffer. The open design of the BI-SPR instruments allows users to conveniently connect

Endotoxin (commonly referred to as lipopolysaccharide in bacteriology) is associated with the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Pseudomonas [1-2]. The interaction between endotoxin and bacterial cell surface is schematically depicted in Figure 1. Endotoxin elicits a series of pleiotropic effects on cells or organisms and is therefore harmful to most mammals

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) can be applied as a convenient, sensitive and label-free technique to study various surface phenomena. One such example is the Vroman effect exhibited by protein adsorption onto surfaces. This important effect arises from the fact that protein adsorption capability onto a surface depends on motility, which is intimately related to its molecular weight. In general, a high molecular weight (HMW) protein adsorbs

Surface charge density is a basic quantity that is directly relevant to many phenomena, from surface interactions to DNA hybridization. Measurement and quantification of surface charge density can lead to a better understanding of biomolecular interactions on surfaces. To date, different techniques have been developed to measure surface charge density, including potentiometric titration, atomic force microscopy and reflection interference

This application note describes the simultaneous SPR detection of wild-type and mutant p53 proteins in cancer cell laysates. p53 is a transcription factor (i.e., DNA-binding protein) that plays an important role in DNA repair and tumor suppression by inhibiting the growth of tumor cells through eliciting either cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis [1-3]. In solution, p53 molecules tetramerize at their C-termini and the resultant p53 tetramer can bind

SPR is sensitive to various processes taking place on or near a sensor chip. The SPR sensor chip can also simultaneously serve as a working electrode for electrochemical measurements. Combining electrochemical with SPR measurements has led to the development of Electrochemical SPR (EC-SPR). To date, EC-SPR has been used in the analysis of trace metal ions, detection of surface bound redox species, electrochemical polymerization

The complement system is an essential component of the human innate immune system, playing a critical role as a defense mechanism against invading pathogens, priming adaptive immune responses and helping to remove immune complexes and apoptotic cells. Three different pathways comprise the complement system: the classical, lectin and alternative pathways [1]. While the complement system plays a central role

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting over 6.5 million people over the age of 65 in the U. S. In the senile plaques of AD patient’s brain, the major components are peptides composed of 39–43 amino acid residues (referred to as the amyloid β or Aβ peptides).[1-2] One of the hypotheses for AD neuropathology is that the misfolding and subsequent aggregation of these peptides

Some biomolecules such as enzymes can exhibit much greater biological activities at physiological temperature (37.5 °C) or higher (e.g., DNA polymerase). The focus of this study is to screen for potential inhibitors of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). BACE1 is an enzyme that cleaves the transmembrane amyloid precursor protein to produce the amyloid beta

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic signal protein biomarker produced by oxygen-hungry cells to stimulate the growth of blood vessels.[1] It binds to specialized receptors on the surfaces of endothelial cells and directs them to grow new blood vessels during embryonic development. Certain types of tumor cells produce abnormally large amounts of VEGF or block the action of angiogenesis inhibitors

In 2008, the illegal adulteration of infant milk products with melamine (structure shown in FIG 1) led to an outbreak of adverse kidney and urinary effects in thousands of children in China.[1] Clandestine addition of melamine in milk products was to boost the detectable protein contents. Because of the severe impact of melamine on human health, the World Health Organization (WHO)

A major advantage of SPR technology is that the detection does not require the analyte to be labeled, such as with a fluorescent molecule or a redox-active tag. This is because SPR directly detects changes in refractive index resulting from changes in mass at the sensor chip surface. For researchers interested in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics or in general pharmaceutical research or drug discovery, this capability of label-free detection is particularly attractive.

By combining SPR with electrochemical methods, many new capabilities and applications are now possible. This application note describes the measurement of apoptosis of cancer cells (HepG2) after treatment of Daunorubicin (DNR), an anti-cancer drug commonly used to treat specific types of leukemia.

Protein-protein interactions are essential for many biochemical transformations and cellular processes. However, traditional methods of detecting these Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is capable of analyzing protein-protein interactions kinetically while consuming little protein sample and does not rely on absorbance/fluorescence properties of proteins. This application note describes the SPR analysis of label-free protein-protein interactions found in the mycofactocin biosynthetic pathway.

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is a powerful technique for measuring the binding kinetics of biomolecular interactions in a real-time and label-free manner [1]. In traditional SPR assays, the target molecule is extracted and purified from the cell and immobilized onto the sensor surface for measurement of the interaction kinetics between the target and the drug candidate.

Streptavidin (SA) sensor chips are commonly used for kinetic interactions of biotinylated ligands. Streptavidin is a tetrameric molecule with an extremely high affinity towards biotin and， because of its binding …

SPRm 200 System is the world’s first commercial Surface Plasmon Resonance Microscopy (SPRM). It combines the high spatial resolution of optical microscopy with the powerful sensing capability of SPR, making …

Membrane proteins are involved in many biological processes, such as signaling between cell’s internal and external environments, transport of ions and molecules and catalysis of chemical reactions [1] and they …

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) are integral membrane proteins that transmit signals from external stimuli to the cell interior. They play key roles in many cellular processes, such as sensorial, hormonal, …

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies have become established methods for treating cancer, autoimmune disorders, asthma and many other diseases. MAb drugs represent approximately half of the total sales of all biopharmaceutical …

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are voltage independent cation channels, which are expressed in both central and peripheral neurons.[1]  Four genes that encode six ASIC subunits have been identified in mammals …

Membrane proteins play critical roles in cellular communications and are the most popular drug targets, accounting for over a half of the FDA approved drugs. One particularly important example of …

SPR Microscopy (SPRM) is a powerful tool for measuring the binding kinetics of ligands or drug compounds with membrane proteins, including GPCRs. It has many other unique features that lead …

SPRm 200 system is the world’s first commercial Surface Plasmon Resonance Microscopy (SPRM) which combines the high spatial resolution of optical microscopy with the label-free sensing capability of SPR.   With …

Neurotensin receptor belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), which has 424 amino acids with 7 putative transmembrane domains.(1)  Neurotesin receptor 1 (NTS-1) mediates multiple functions of neurotensin, …

Glycogen is the primary storage form of glucose. Glycogen synthesis and breakdown are tightly controlled by glycogen synthase (GYS) and phosphorylase, respectively. The enzyme responsible for the process is protein …

SPR microscopy (SPRm) has emerged as a unique tool for measuring the affinity and kinetics of ligand binding to membrane proteins on the cells directly. The technology integrates the traditional …

Fixation of cells is a convenient and routinely used method by many labs to study cells. However, fixation may alter certain types of protein receptors, thus affecting their binding kinetics. …