BIAffinity® PC Instrument system with PC + control software
Biometra - Analytik Jena - BIAffinity
BIAffinity® – Accurate results with a wide range of applications
Biomolecular recognition is the most important event in the biochemicalpathways of living systems. What holds true for gene expression and signal transduction by hormones or neurotransmitters is also true of enzyme reactions and the immune response through antigen antibody interactions: all of these processes are preceded by the specific binding of a ligand to a biological receptor. Detecting and characterizing binding events such as these is therefore crucial for understanding the mechanisms and functions of biochemical processes.
Features
BIAffinity® offers a technique for label-free detection of biomolecular interactions on solid phases, i. e., biochips. The system’s mostimpressive features are its intuitive and simple handling, flexiblesample volumes, wide choice of functional chip surfaces and selfexplanatory software for data collection and evaluation. The system permits direct, time-resolved detection of binding events on specific surfaces and enables access to thermodynamic and kinetic characterizations of affinity reactions.
Here are a few applications for the BIAffinity :
- Label-free detection of molecular interactions
- Real-time analysis of binding events
- Biochip technology
- Reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RifS)
- Determination of kinetic and equilibrium constants and concentrations
- Referencing against non-specific interactions
- Two-channel flow system
- High-performance two channel optics
- Temperature-controlled operating environment
- Online monitoring of interactions
Standard
- Semi-automated sample loading and injection via 5 ports
Optional
- Autosampler for up to 96 samples
- Fully automated control of sample handling
Measurement Principle
The measurement principle is based on reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS), which uses multiple reflection at thin, transparent layers. Incident light will be partially reflected at each thin-layer interface. A characteristic interference pattern (interferogram) is produced by superimposing the reflecting rays. Binding molecules to the specific surface of a sensor chip causes a change in the optical layer thickness, which in turn causes a shift of the interferogram. This makes RIfS a fast and elegant method for detecting binding events on surfaces.
High performance fluidics is an important element of BIAffinity®. The two-channel micro-fluidic cell (MFC) supplies the sensor surface with a continuous and pulse-free liquid flow. A measurement and reference channel are available for each measurement, which allows referencing against non-specific interactions on the surface. Rapid exchange of buffers for assays minimizes dispersion effects. This provides highly reliable results with minimal sample usage due to its pairing with extremely low flow-cell volumes.
Biochip technology
The heart of the system – the sensor chip
BIAffinity® uses sensor chip technology. These glass-based chips make it possible to design functional surfaces that are biocompatible and highly specific with adjustable binding capacity. Simple handling, reproducible results, minimal non-specific binding characteristics, high flexibility and regeneration stability are the hallmarks of the sensor chip.
Includes wash chip and reference chip
| Fluidic | Flow through cell, valves with extremely small dead volume < 0.7 µL 5 - 200 µL/min |
|---|---|
| Flow rate | 5 - 200 µL/min |
| Steps of flow rate | 1 µL/min |
| Number of flow channels | 2 (single use of channel 1, or channel 1 + 2 in series) |
| Internal reference subtraction | Difference of channel 1 – channel 2 |
| Sample handling | Automatic sample loading and injection via 5 ports |
| Sample volume | Injection volume +20 µL |
| Injection Volume | 10 – 200 µL |
| Analysis time per sample | 2 – 30 min |
| Optional | 96 well standard MTP sampler |
| Analysis temperature | Up to 40 C ± 0.5 |
| Operation Temp Range | 15°C - 30°C |
| Measuring Point Registration | Each 1 s. |
| SNR | 0.8 UI |
| Detection Limit (dsDNA) | > 1000 Da |
| Sensitivity | 1.4 pg / mm2 |
| Drift | 10 IU/h |
| Measurement modes | Detection of concentration, kinetics and affinity data |
| Association Rate Range (Ka) | 103 - 106 M-1.s-1 |
| Dissociation Rate Range (Kd) | 10-5 - 10-1 s-1 |
| Affinity | 104 - 109 M-1 |
| Concentration | 10-3 - 10-10 M |
| Net Weight | 24 kg |
| Dimensions | 515 x 300 x 370 mm |
| Capacity | 300g |
| Warranty of device without flow cell | 2 years |
| Warranty of device with Flow cell | ½ year |
| Data presentation | Label-free, real-time monitoring of interactions with simultaneous display of interference spectrum |
| Data handling | *.csv (comma separated values) *.bin (binary data) |
| Control software | BIAM measuring program (provides manual and automatic operation mode) |
| Analysis software | WinAnalysis (optional) for data evaluation |
| PC Requirements | Pentium IV processor, Windows 2000 operation system; software instrument |
| PC Connections | USB, connection of PC and detection unit via cable adapter |