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Measuring biomolecular interactions using the Biacore T100

Reference	BB/E013074/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Anthony Maxwell
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Stephen Bornemann, Professor Raymond Alan Dixon, Professor Giles Oldroyd
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	Biological Chemistry
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	201,197
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	05/09/2007
End date	04/09/2008
Duration	12 months

Abstract

The research programmes at the John Innes Centre demand extensive understanding, and hence measurement, of biomolecular interactions. Since 2000 we have been making such measurements using a Biacore X (funded by BBSRC), which is an entry-level surface-plasmon resonance instrument. Although highly successful in terms of research output, the X suffers from a number of limitations in terms of its sensitivity, software capabilities, lack of robotics, level of throughput and lack of temperature control. The Biacore T100 fulfils these requirements and will facilitate a range of research programmes at JIC. We describe four major programmes that will benefit greatly from the T100 and outline several others where application of the T100 will be of great value.

Summary

Key to understanding biological systems is the ability to work out how different components (e.g. proteins, DNA, small molecules) interact with each other. Huge advances in measuring such interactions have occurred in recent years with the development of a technique called surface-plasmon resonance (SPR). For the past 6 years we have successfully employed a Biacore X instrument, which is a basic SPR apparatus, to make measurements in a variety of systems. However, we have become acutely aware of the limitations of the X. Last year Biacore launched its latest development in SPR technology, the Biacore T100, which contains impressive technological advances over the X, enabling measurements of greatly increased sensitivity and sophistication. We describe research programmes in plant and microbial sciences that will benefit enormously from the acquisition of a Biacore T100 instrument.

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Research Equipment Initiative 2006 (RE6) [2006]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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