Biomolecular Interaction Analysis

Biomolecular recognition is the most important event in biochemical pathways of living systems. Whether gene expression, signal transduction by hormones or neurotrans-mitters, immune response through antigenantibody interaction or enzyme reactions: All of these processes are preceded by the specific binding of a ligand to a biological receptor. Therefore the detection and characterization of such binding events are crucial for the understanding of mechanisms and functions of biochemical processes.

 

BIAffinity® offers a technique for label-free detection of biomolecular interactions on solid phases, the so called biochips. The system’s most convincing features are it’s intuitive and simple handling, flexible sample volumes, a wide choice of functional chip surfaces, as well as a self-explanatory software for data collection and evaluation.

 

It allows the direct and time resolved detection of binding events on specific surfaces, and enables access to thermodynamic and kinetic characterizations of affinity reactions.

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • Label-free detection of molecular interaction
  • Real-time analysis
  • Biochip technology
  • Reflectometric interference spectroscopy
  • Determination of kinetic and equilibrium constants and concentration
  • Referencing against non-specific interactions
  • Two channel flow system
  • High performance two channel optics
  • Temperature controlled operation environment
  • User administration
  • Available with an automated 96 well autosampler (BIAsampler)

 

The measuring principle…

…is based on Reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS), which uses the multiple reflection at thin, transparent layers. Incident light will be partially reflected at each interface of the thin layers. A characteristic interference pattern is (interferogram) produced by superimposing the reflecting rays. The binding of molecules to the specific surface of a sensor chip causes a change of the optical layer thickness, which in turn causes a shift of the interferogram.
Therefore RIfS is a fast and elegant method for detection of binding events on surfaces.

 

High performance fluidics…

…is an important element of BIAffinity®. The two channel Micro-Fluidic-Cell (MFC) supplies the sensor surface with a continuous and pulse free liquid flow. A measurement and reference channel are available for each measurement, which allows referencing against nonspecific interaction on the surface. Dispersion effects are minimized by a fast exchange of buffers for assays.Highly reliable results with minimal sample usage are possible, due to its pairing with extremely low flow cell volumes.

 

The heart of the system – the sensor chip…

…sensor chip technology is used in BIAffinity®. The chips, based on glass, allow the design of functional surfaces. Those are biocompatible and highly specific, the binding capacity is adjustable. Simple handling, reproducible results, minimal non-specific binding characteristics, high flexibility and regeneration stability are the hallmarks of the sensor chip. The heart of the system – the sensor chip technology is used in BIAffinity®.

 

High performance software…

…enhances the modern concept of BIAffinity®. The software is modular and combines compact control software WinBIAM and the analysis module WinAnalysis. The comprehensive user administration enables assignment of user rights by simple mouse click.
WinBIAM enables simple, concise and user-friendly handling of the system. Programming and filing of proven methods, in addition to a manual sequence control, simplify working with the equipment. A simple and comprehensive programming dialog provides ease of use. A programming language need not be learned for using the programming dialog.

 

  • Simple definition of automated program sequences
  • Clear presentation of the most important information
  • Coordinated function tool bars are available for specialapplications

 

The program WinAnalysis simplifies the analysis operation. Concise menus, beneficial help functions and a high number of mathematical models simplify data analysis.

 

  • Project oriented operations
  • Diverse fit models
  • Determination of kinetic and affinity constants
  • Determination of concentrations
  • Export of measuring and fit data