The Optical BioSensor Facility, at the Biomedical Research Support Facilities, provides real-time biomolecular interaction analysis utilizing a Biacore 3000 system.

The Biacore 3000 works on the principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which allows for measurements of changes in refractive index at a surface. Briefly, one interactant (the ligand) is immobilized to the surface of a sensor chip. A solution containing potential binding partner(s) is passed over the immobilized surface, and binding is visualized as a change in refractive index at the surface (response units (RU)) over time.

To the right is a sensogram obtained by the facility showing the interaction between a bound ligand and soluble analyte at multiple analyte concentrations.

Surface Plasmon Resonance allows for immediate visualization of interactions in a label-free manner, lessening the potential impact of labels on the interaction of interest.

There are two levels of utilization of the facility
for academic investigators:

• Certified users: Investigators for whom SPR analysis will comprise a large portion of research projects may wish to become certified users. Certified users are able to use the machine independently of Facility staff; cost is $60 per hour of machine usage. Anyone wishing to use the machine independently must provide proof that they have completed the Biacore Basics course offered by Biacore, Inc. and must sign a release stating that they will be responsible for any damage that occurs to the machine during their period(s) of usage.

• Contract service: Investigators wishing to use SPR analysis infrequently or as a complement to other techniques may wish to contract service as necessary. Contracted services will be completed by trained Facility staff. Cost of this service is $120 per hour.

For both levels of utilization, the investigator is responsible for supplying all necessary reagents (chip, buffers, ligand and analyte) for their analysis.

Interested parties from industry (all non-academic institutions) should contact Jonathan Steckbeck for pricing information.