Abstract
Given the difficult funding environment, Core labs are looking for unique and useful services to draw in new user bases and increase their value to the local scientific community. In the continuing expansion of our core services to address these issues, we have found that one very high-value service is protein-substrate interaction analysis. Our chosen approach to launching this service was through biolayer interferometry using Forte Bio's OctetRed96 platform.
In order to effectively launch this service we went through a number of assay development pilots, including protein quantitation, protein-protein kinetics, antigen-antibody analyses, and protein-small molecule kinetics assays. We found the instrument to provide robust and highly reproducible kinetic and quantification assessments in each of the assays. We have now taken this instrument fully online and available to the university. Data from several projects will be highlighted. The instrument has also proven to be the perfect addition to our Antibody-related services. In addition to qualitatively verifying antibody-antigen interaction, using an array of different tips we shave shown that active antibody and protein concentrations can be quickly and easily determined. Furthermore, we have shown that quantifying antigen-specific antibodies in polyclonal sera, which is notoriously difficult, is straightforward using antigen bound tips.
Since having purchased this instrument we have done very little publicizing of its presence while working out the specifics of instrument operation and assay design. However, we are already fast approaching capacity, as it has become known by word of mouth alone. We have discovered that there was a significant unmet need for a fast, high throughput, and accurate protein-substrate analysis service. Though the instrument is relatively straightforward to operate, analysis and Interpretation of results has consistently required a trained technician. Therefore, we offer access to this technology only in service-mode.