Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

For information on access fees, policies and getting started at the CMI, see the CMI Access Page.

SPR at the CMI

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is an optical technique used to measure molecular interactions in real time. SPR can occur when plane-polarized light hits a metal film under total internal reflection conditions.  SPR signal is directly dependent on the refractive index of the medium on the sensor chip.  The binding of biomolecules results in changes in the refractive index on the sensor surface.  In an SPR experiment, one molecule (the Ligand) is immobilized on a sensor chip and binding to a second molecule (the Analyte) is measured under flow.  Response is measured in resonance units (RU) and is proportional to the mass on the surface, and for any given interactant, the response is proportional to the number of molecules bound to the surface.  Response is recorded and displayed as a sensogram in real time.  SPR experiments can be used to measure kinetic binding constants (ka, kd) and equilibrium binding constants (affinity, Ka = 1/Kd).                     

       SPR Samples                                 Biacore T200                                       

The CMI has a Biacore T200 from Cytiva, formerly GE Life Sciences.

Applications and Features

Applications

  • Kinetic binding: ka, kd
  • Equilibrium binding: KD
  • Macromolecular and small molecule binding

Key Features

  • High sensitivity for small molecule detection
  • Robust coupling chemistries
  • Temperature Control (4-45C)
  • Single Cycle Kinetics

 

Theory and Design

The Biacore T200 has four flow cells, connected in series. Each experiment uses two flow cells (either flow cells 1 and 2 or flow cells 3 and 4). The 1st is the reference flow cell (with no immobilized ligand).  The 2nd is the sample flow cell (with immobilized ligand). SPR signal increases due to accumulation of analyte on the surface and is monitored in real-time. 

SPR Sensor Design

Experimental Phases

There are three major steps in an SPR experiment, each requiring optimization:

  1. Immobilization: the ligand is attached to the sensor chip surface.
  2. Interaction analysis: the analyte is injected over the sensor surface and binds to immobilized ligand (the association phase) and then analyte is washed off the surface (the dissociation phase).
  3. Regeneration: the surface is regenerated by removing remaining bound analyte or by removing both ligand and analyte.

 

SPR Experimental Phases

Data Files - About CMI Data Files

Users are responsible for storage of all raw and processed data collected at the CMI.

  • Users should have a plan to copy or transfer all raw and process data to their own local or cloud storage system.
  • While the CMI allows temporary local storage of CMI User data on the instrument computer, we make no guarantees on the security or long-term availability of any data at the CMI.
  • For most (but not all) CMI technologies, the raw data files and recommended readable exports are relatively small and can be readily transferred electronically. 
  • See specific instruments for exceptions and for details about the software, data file types and recommended data exports. 

Data Sharing:

  • Currently, a Generalist Repository is the recommended data repository for most CMI data types, as stable specialist data repositories have not been established.

Data Files - SPR - Biacore T200

Technology Surface Plasmanon Resonance (SPR)
Instrument Biacore T200
Recommended Repository Generalist Repository
       
Software Type Data Collection
Current Version Biacore T200 Control Software, Version 2.0.1
Data Files (Type, ~size) immobilization experiment file .blr 300 KB/experiment
  experiment file .blr 5-20 MB/experiment
  method file .method 40 KB/experiment
       
Software Type Data Analysis
Current Version Biacore T200 Evaluation Software
Data Files (Type, ~size) result file .bme 5-30 MB/experiment
Readable Exports affinity data export .txt 3 KB/experiment
  kinetics data export .txt 1-2 MB/experiment
  results image .png 10-20 KB/experiment

Cytiva Biacore Consumables Selection Guide, for a list of current consumables. Look for supplies compatible with the Biacore T200 and your sample types.

Purchase Sensor chips and reagents from Cytiva.  

Supplies Provided by User:

  • Cytiva Biacore Series S sensor chips
  • running buffer (should include some detergent, such as 0.05% Tween 20)
  • all reagents and samples for immobilization and binding assays
    • all concentrations of analyte sample should be in running buffer (with fixed concentation of all components, including DMSO, detergent, buffer and salt concentrations)
  • pipettors for sample and reagent liquid handling
  • (optional) 96-well and 384-well reagent plates and foil (foil must not have adhesive over wells, purchase from Cytiva)

Supplies provided by the CMI:

  • plastic tubes and caps (3 sizes)
  • instrument cleaning reagents: Desorb 1, Desorb 2, Biadisinfectant
  • Purified water for instrument cleaning and running in Standby mode

CMI Biacore T200 SPR Getting Started Guide

Other Resources:
Biacore T200 Getting Started Handbook, an intro to SPR and tutorial, from Cytiva, formerly GE Healthcare.
Biacore Sensor Surface Handbook, a guide to SPR immobilization strategies, from Cytiva.
Biacore T200 Product Information from Cytiva.
Purchase Sensor chips and reagents from Cytiva.  

SPR Pages, a good resource for all things SPR-related.

Additional Biacore T200 instrument and software manuals are available to users on the Biacore T200 computer.