Surface-based analytical instruments
Surface-based analytical instruments complement our fluorescence microscopy techniques by providing an orthogonal means of studying how viruses interact with cell surface receptors as well as enabling us to better design and characterize our ever-evolving library of cell surface mimics.
Our lab is equipped with a Quartz-Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) instrument which works as a very sensitive balance allowing us to monitor biomolecule adsorption in real time, while providing information on the mass and viscoelastic properties of the adsorbed material. QCM-D is particularly popular in the context of monitoring supported lipid bilayer formation and can be used to study the adsorption of viruses and protein to cell-surface mimics. [1]
A Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) instrument can be accessed at our department. SPR is an optical technique which can also be used to follow biomolecule adsorption in real time by monitoring the associated changes in refractive index at the sensing interface. As compared to QCM-D, it allows for an easier quantification of the number of molecules adsorbed at the surface and is preferred in the context of quantifying affinities between a ligand and receptor. [2]
Key References