Measuring Protein Interactions by Optical Biosensors

Binding studies with optical biosensors can be very powerful and versatile. Among the most important virtues are their high sensitivity and utility for a broad range of affinities, real-time detection allowing studies of binding kinetics, and relatively low requirements of sample volume. We have outlined some general strategies and described some of the most commonly used techniques. The work with protein interactions at a surface can introduce additional experimental difficulties as compared to solution methods. As a general rule in experiments with optical biosensors, it is highly recommended that analyses be performed in different ways so that the consistency of the results can be tested. Biosensors can be an excellent tool in the study of protein interactions, and become particularly powerful if combined with other methods.