ARTICLE MIRG Survey 2011: Snapshot of Rapidly Evolving Label-Free Technologies Used for Characterizing Molecular Interactions

The field of label-free biophysical technologies used to quantitatively characterize macromolecular interactions with each other andwith smallmolecules has grown enormously in the last 10 years. Themostwidely used analytical technologies for characterizingbiomolecular interactionsaresurfaceplasmonresonance(SPR), isothermal titrationcalorimetry (ITC),biolayer interferometry (BLI),andanalyticalultracentrifugation(AUC).Measuring interactionparametersaccuratelyandquantitatively is challenging, as it requires specialized expertise, training, and instrumentation. TheMolecular Interaction Research Group (MIRG)conductedanonlinesurveydesignedtocapturethecurrentprofileof label-freetechnologies, includingITC,SPR,and otherbiosensorsusedinacademiaandthepharmaceutical industrysector.Themaingoalof thesurveywastotakeasnapshot of laboratory, instrumentation, applications formeasuring various biophysical parameters, confidence in data interpretation, data validation and acceptability, and limitations of using various technologies. Through this survey, we anticipate that the participating laboratorieswill beable togauge their owncapabilities andgain insights into the relative successof thedifferent technologies that they use for characterizingmolecular interactions. KEY WORDS: biomolecular, surface plasmon resonance, biolayer interferometry, isothermal titration calorimetr