Dynamic Biosensors – heliX®
The switchSENSE® principle
The principal functional elements of switchSENSE® are DNA nanolevers, which can be electrically actuated to oscillate at high frequencies.
Turnkey conformational change analysis
heliX® measures conformational changes in real-time by directly comparing the hydrodynamic friction (switching speed) of two molecules on two adjacent sensor spots.
Conformational changes are expressed as %-friction-change, which works for any protein or nucleic acid state in almost any environment. Hence, molecular conformations can be investigated early in the discovery process, without previous knowledge about a sample.
Simply define your initial state and measure change. Anything may serve as a reference, for instance:
- bare DNA nanolevers without attached proteins
- the protein conformation before small molecule binding
- a protein mutant that cannot undergo conformational changes
- a surrogate protein
- a particular DNA or RNA fold
Technical Specifications
| heliX | heliX+ | Double-heliX | 4-heliX Bundle | |
| No. of chips, auto-exchangeable | 1 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| No. of real-time signals | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| No. of well-plates / wells | 1 / 96 | 1 / 384 | 2 / 768 | 4 / 1536 |
| Fluorescence channels | One color | Two Colors | Two Colors | Two Colors |
| Sampling rate | 1 datapoint/s | 100 datapoints/s | 100 datapoints/s | 100 datapoints/s |
| Temperature | Tconst.= 25°C or 37°C | [1] any constant temperature from 10° to 40°C [2] variable temperature, ramp speed up to 10°C/min | [1] any constant temperature from 10° to 40°C [2] variable temperature, ramp speed up to 10°C/min | [1] any constant temperature from 10° to 40°C [2] variable temperature, ramp speed up to 10°C/min |
| Measurement modes | [1] Molecular Dynamics [2] Fluor. Proximity Sens. | [1] Molecular Dynamics (molecular friction) [2] Fluorescence Proximity Sensing (FPS) [3] Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) | [1] Molecular Dynamics (molecular friction) [2] Fluorescence Proximity Sensing (FPS) [3] Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) | [1] Molecular Dynamics (molecular friction) [2] Fluorescence Proximity Sensing (FPS) [3] Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) |
Key Features
heliX®
Unparalled sensitivity and accuracy for protein sizing
switchSENSE® delivers unrivaled accuracy in the size range between 1 and 25 nm, which is crucial when dealing with proteins and macromolecular complexes. Changes in hydrodynamic diameters as small as 0.1 nm can be resolved.
Low Sample Consumption
5 pmol of protein per measurement, i.e., 1/1000th the amount required for a DLS measurement.
Any environment
High or low salt, high or low viscosity, high or low pH.
“Give me a lever long enough […] and I shall move the world.”
Well put, Archimedes! We designed the Adapter Chip to fit any kind of lever. Short and slender for small proteins, long and rigid for large proteins or protein complexes.
Highlights
heliX® Adapter Chip and Sensor Functionalization
Automated Sensor Exchange
Load up to 5 chips in one rack and switch automatically between 5 channels and 10 sensor spots.
RFID Near Field Communication
Between instrument and chip for seamless traceability of chip status and usage history. Ideal for quality-controlled GxP environments and consistent, error-free results.
Robust Microfluidics
Simplistic single-channel design, made from durable glass, withstanding highest flow rates and corrosive chemicals, disposable.
2 Detection Spots x 2 Colors
For real-time referenced measurements of 2 interactions, or monitoring of up to 4 interactions simultaneously.
heliX® Modular Design
Spacecrafts are built from independent modules because modularity means versatility and reliability.
Combine as many heliX® modules as you require to scale-up throughput to your needs.
You don’t need to wear a spacesuit when operating a heliX®, but you can rely on the same design principles.
- Long dissociation measurements of bispecific antibodies on two modules.
- Screening of small-molecule induced conformational changes in a target protein.
- Scouting conditions for a DNA nuclease activity assay.
HeliX® Discover Molecular Interactions
HeliX® Basic Binding Kinetics Tutorial (DNA-DNA interaction)
Key Industries
- Biopharmaceutical and Biotechnology
- Education & Academics
- Pharmaceutical
Brand
Dynamic Biosensors is a provider of instruments, consumables, and services in the field of analytical systems for the characterization of biomolecules and molecular interactions. They are located in Martinsried, south of Munich, a vital center of Europe‘s biotechnology industry.
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