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Surface Plasmon Resonance

Biacore T200

What it is SPR?

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is a highly sensitive, optical-based technique used to study interactions between molecules.

It measures changes in the refractive index near a sensor surface, where one molecule (the "ligand") is immobilized. When another molecule (the "analyte") binds to it, SPR detects the interaction in real time without needing any labels or modifications. This makes SPR an ideal tool for analyzing a range of molecular interactions, including small molecule binding to proteins, protein-protein interactions, and antibody-antigen binding, offering detailed insights into binding kinetics and affinity for drug discovery and biomolecular research.​

Small molecules / protein interaction analysis

SPR is highly effective for studying small molecule interactions with proteins, allowing researchers to measure binding affinity and kinetics in real-time. This is crucial for early-stage drug discovery, as it helps identify promising drug candidates and optimize their interaction with therapeutic targets.

Protein / protein interaction analysis

SPR is ideal for analyzing protein-protein interactions, which are often key in cellular processes. By providing kinetic profiles and binding strengths, SPR helps researchers understand how proteins interact, facilitating the design of therapeutics that can modulate these interactions.

Kinetics: The Secret to Smarter Drug Development

Kinetics, particularly the measurement of how quickly a drug binds to and dissociates from its target, is crucial in drug development. By analyzing the on-rate (association) and off-rate (dissociation) of drug-target interactions, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the drug's efficacy and duration of action. A drug with a slow off-rate, for example, may stay bound to its target longer, potentially increasing its therapeutic effect. Kinetic data also help in optimizing lead compounds, improving selectivity, and minimizing side effects, making it an essential aspect of the drug development process.

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Antibody interaction analysis - kinetics and selectivity

SPR is extensively used to study antibody-antigen interactions, crucial for both therapeutic antibody development and diagnostic applications. It provides detailed data on the specificity, affinity, and kinetics of antibody binding, supporting the creation of more effective immune therapies and diagnostic tools.

Adapting to a World of Molecular Targets

​One of the key advantages of SPR is its versatility in studying a wide range of biomolecular interactions. This technology can be used to investigate small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and even whole cells or viruses. SPR’s ability to accommodate various types of targets, from simple molecules to complex biological systems, makes it a highly flexible tool for applications across drug discovery, diagnostics, and basic research.

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