Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Biolayer Interferometry (BLI)
Understanding how biological molecules interact with each other is the key to drug development. SPR and BLI are "label-free" tools that measure the binding kinetics—how fast and how strongly two molecules stick together—in real-time.
Affinity Measurement: These tools tell researchers if a drug candidate is "sticky" enough to bind to its target protein without being washed away by the bloodstream.
Small Molecule Research: Unlike traditional assays, SPR can detect the binding of tiny molecules to large proteins, which is essential for developing "small molecule" inhibitors for cancer and inflammation.
Quality Control: Biopharmaceutical companies use these tools to ensure that every batch of their drug has the same binding profile, ensuring consistent potency and safety for patients.