Malvern MicroCal PEAQ-ITC for studying biomolecular interactions with high sensitivity

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The MicroCal PEAQ-ITC is suitable for measuring binding affinities and investigating a diverse array of biomolecular interactions. Isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC), a cornerstone, label-free technique in drug discovery, directly measures the heat changes associated with complex formation and delivers parameters including binding affinity (KD), stoichiometry (n), free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS), elucidating the underlying forces governing molecular interactions.

The MicroCal PEAQ-ITC system empowers researchers to analyse molecular binding spanning from weak to high affinities with good reproducibility. In addition to its wide affinity range, rapid response time and good signal-to-noise ratio, measurements at low sample concentrations are achieved using as little as a 10 µg sample. The inclusion of a non-reactive Hastelloy cell provides chemical compatibility with biological samples, while advanced pipetting capabilities should enable precise injection volumes. Moreover, user-friendly software features intuitive guidance through experiment set-up, data analysis and optimisation, making ITC accessible to researchers of all levels.

Traditionally, biomolecular interactions are studied in aqueous solutions such as PBS and HEPES, which are commonly used for protein solubilisation. However, there is a growing interest in exploring ITC applications that require dissolving the binding partners in organic solvents like Acetonitrile, opening avenues for investigating guest–host chemical reactions, nanoparticle interactions and insoluble materials.

To facilitate successful ITC experiments with organic solvents, Malvern Panalytical has released a quick guide offering a list of best practices, tips and precautions for every stage of the experimental process: from sample preparation to proper cleaning protocols, experimental design considerations and control experiments, all aimed at enhancing data quality and safeguarding against system damage.

For more information: https://www.atascientific.com.au/products/malvern-microcal-peaq-itc/.