Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

 
SPR is a universal tool for studying and characterizing macromolecular interaction in a label-free state.  The system detects the binding reaction in real time by monitoring changes in mass concentration at the chip surface; the association and dissociation rate constants are determined directly from the reaction traces.  Samples ranging from small molecules to crude extracts, lipid vesicles, viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic cells can be studied in real-time, without the use of labels and with little or no prior sample preparation.

The Biophysical Resource at Keck Facility offers the state-of-the art BiaCore T100 instrument from  BiaCore Inc. as an "open access" instrument that can be used by trained users.  To schedule a training session please fill in the SPR-form and contact Ewa Folta-Stogniew

comparison between the old BiaCore 1000 and the new T100 instruments

Excellent WebPages about SPR application that address various aspects of SPR application were created by Arnoud Marquart, so there is no excuse not to educate yourself. PLEASE read the SPR basics before scheduling a training session.

Each user shodul print and READ Biacore T100 hardware (at minimum Chapters 2 and 3)  and software (at minimum Chapters: 2, 3, 4, and 5)  manuals.

Read:
FAQ

Download and read the "HowTo"  documents so you will have an idea about the general procedures

2008 BiaCore catalog lists currently available sensors chips.   The Biophyscis resource provides the generic consumable like acetate buffers for  pH-scouting, P20 detergent stock, or reagents for amine coupling.  The sensor chips need to be ordered by intersted laboratory.

For SPR schedule go to SPR log_page

SPR performs the measurement in solution, but one of the interacting partners is immobilized on the chip surface; no modifications are needed but the measurement requires several consumable that have to be ordered form BiaCore.