Pilot Project to Generate Affinity Reagents to Humab Proteins Chooses ProteOn™ XPR36 System
ProteOn XPR36 Protein Interaction Array System Used to Rapidly Screen for Binding Affinities of Reagents
HERCULES, CA — January 29, 2009 — Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, announced today the University of Toronto selected the ProteOn XPR36 protein interaction array system to screen protein-specific affinity reagents, including antibodies and antibody fragments, as part of an international consortium pilot study arranged by the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) and Human Proteome Resource Center. The consortium, whose goal is to systematically generate high quality affinity reagents for exploration of the human proteome, chose the multiplexed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument from Bio-Rad for its ability to rapidly screen biomolecular interactions.
"The pilot project will generate a wealth of protein-specific reagents that will require a fast, accurate evaluation of their binding affinities," said Renee LeMaire-Adkins, marketing manager, Protein Interaction Technology, Bio-Rad. "The design of the ProteOn XPR36 system is ideal for this purpose as it permits the label-free kinetic analysis of six ligands measured against six analytes for 36 data points per experiment."
The result of a workshop in March 2008, the pilot study seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of a variety of methods to generate better affinity reagents for specific protein targets. Researchers from around the world will be sending their affinity reagents to the University of Toronto for testing on the ProteOn and results are expected to be published in the first half of 2009. A second workshop will be held in March 2009 where the initial results will be summarized and evaluated.
About the ProteOn XPR36 Protein Interaction Array System
The ProteOn XPR36 protein interaction array system is a multiplexed SPR biosensor that allows users to simultaneously measure the interactions of six different ligand proteins with panels of six different concentrations of analyte, obtaining comprehensive kinetic profiles in a single experiment without the need for regeneration – termed One-shot Kinetics™. Utilizing a novel optical design and state-of-the-art microfluidics, the ProteOn XPR36 system provides much higher throughout for rapid screening of protein interactions than traditional SPR devices.
Biologics, such as antibodies, are of particular interest in basic biomedical research and for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. A number of these can be found on the current market for the treatment of diseases such as arthritis and Crohn's Disease. Screening, profiling and characterization of antibodies is tedious and time-consuming. The ProteOn XPR36 system offers the advantages of simultaneous label-free SPR measurements in an array format and is designed to reduce the amount of time required for screening targets, optimizing assay design, profiling and characterizing antibody interactions.
The ProteOn XPR36 system is ideal for scientists conducting antibody research in drug discovery and development. Key application areas for these customers include protein interface analysis, interaction proteomics and drug target interactions.
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About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs approximately 6,300 people globally and had revenues approaching $1.5 billion in 2007. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.