Acoustic technology used to analyse biomolecular interactions

Cambridge-based Akubio, a developer of acoustic biosensors, has introduced the RAP·id 4 system for protein-protein interaction analysis used in drug discovery.

Based on pioneering Resonant Acoustic Profiling (RAP) technology, RAP·id 4 enables realtime label-free measurement and analysis of biomolecular interactions with the highest level of accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity.

A flow-based system, the RAP·id 4 reduces the need to purify samples and generates accurate kinetic, affinity and concentration measurements from complex mixtures, such as cell culture supernatants and periplasmic extracts. The stand-alone, fully automated platform, requires minimal user intervention and is controlled via user-friendly software, typically processing an average of 400 samples per day.

Ian Campbell, business development director said: "RAP·id 4 allows users to work directly with complex samples, with minimal need for pre-assay purification or post-assay calibration. The system has been optimised for protein-protein interaction analysis and our application scientists continue to broaden the application areas of RAP·id 4."

RAP measures the oscillation of a resonating quartz crystal, which decreases in proportion to the mass of the molecules binding to its surface. Researchers interrogate and evaluate the data using the intuitive RAP·id Workbench software package.