Biosensing Instrument BI-4500

Biosensing Instrument BI-4500

High-Performance 5-Channel Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

The Center for Photochemical Sciences is equipped with the BI-4500 SPR System, a 2017 R&D 100 Award-winning instrument designed for label-free, real-time investigation of molecular interactions. By utilizing the principle of Surface Plasmon Resonance, the BI-4500 provides researchers with critical data on binding affinity, kinetics, and thermodynamics across a wide range of chemical and biological systems.

Core Research Capabilities:

• Label-Free Kinetic Analysis: Quantify association ($k_a$) and dissociation ($k_d$) rates and determine equilibrium constants ($K_D$) without the interference of fluorescent or radioactive labels.

• 5-Channel High Throughput: Unlike traditional single or dual-channel systems, the 5-channel configuration allows for simultaneous reference subtraction and multiple sample injections, significantly increasing data reliability and laboratory efficiency.

• Sensitivity to Small Molecules: The system’s high signal-to-noise ratio enables the detection of interactions involving small molecules ($< 100$ Daltons), making it an essential tool for drug discovery and fragment-based screening.

• Integrated Fluidics (BI-DirectFlow™): Near-zero dispersion delivery ensures high-quality data even for ultra-fast kinetic interactions.

Versatility Across Disciplines:

The modular design of the BI-4500 allows the CPS to extend research beyond standard liquid-phase interactions:

• Electrochemistry (EC-SPR): Study redox-related conformational changes and electropolymerization.

• Gas-Phase Research: Analyze solid-gas interface interactions, critical for chemical vapor sensing and environmental monitoring.

• Life Sciences: Ideal for protein-protein, protein-DNA, and antibody-antigen studies.