Malvern Panalytical WAVEsystem for molecular binding analysis

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The accurate and efficient measurement of intermolecular interactions and binding events is a critical element of drug discovery programs. Traditional ligand binding assays can be challenging as they require elaborate washing and purification steps. Although surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is commonly used to monitor interactions in real time using unlabelled species, measurements can be time-consuming as they involve repeated introductions of increasing concentrations of analyte and are sensitive to bulk refractive index changes in buffers; these issues limit the utility of SPR in screening programs.

For high resolution and appropriate kinetics, Malvern Panalytical’s WAVEsystem employs grating-coupled interferometry (GCI) — surface-based biosensing technology that detects refractive index changes on a sensor surface as time-dependent phase-shift signals. The long light-to-sample interaction length enables correct kinetic data even at low signal levels, detecting subtle changes in molecular interactions.

The system facilitates the measurement of off-rates up to 10 s^-1 with just a crude reaction mixture, overcoming challenges posed by weak binders and high target-to-analyte molecular weight ratios. A temperature-controlled autosampler fits vials, two 96- or one 384-well plates for further ease of use. Microfluidics compatible with complex fluids, like serum or plasma, and with a diverse range of solvents, including acetonitrile and high concentrations of DMSO, help to minimise the occurrence of false positives.

The innovative waveRAPID technique accelerates kinetic measurements by injecting a single concentration and pulsing the sample over the sensing surface at increasing durations. This single-well approach, as opposed to titration series, enables high-throughput kinetic determination of various analytes in a screening set-up. This not only completes a week’s worth of work in a day but also reallocates time, money and mental energy to other drug discovery stages, enhancing overall efficiency.

For more information: https://www.atascientific.com.au/products/creoptix-wave/.