CONFOCHECK for Protein Analysis

The CONFOCHECK is a dedicated FT-IR system for the investigation of proteins in water. Its specific configuration facilitates a fast data acquisition (ca. 30 sec. per sample) with a high sample throughput controlled by an extremely user-friendly software interface.

Main applications for the CONFOCHECK are the detection and quantification of conformational changes in proteins and the protein concentration determination. Quantitative determination of the protein concentration and the secondary structure elements (alpha-helix, beta-sheet) from the analyzed protein samples is accomplished within seconds via internal calibrations.

The CONFOCHECK is equipped with several specific protein sampling cuvettes that allow the measurement of solved and membrane bound proteins, even at very low amounts (10 µg). To reach optimal temperature constancy and to facilitate the measurement of temperature induced protein conformational changes, the sample cuvettes are temperature-controlled by a thermostat.

• Protein quantification
• Detection of conformational changes
• Protein dynamics (temperature induced conformational changes)
• Monitoring of conformational changes during protein aggregation, precipitation and crystallization
• Determination of the secondary structure
• Quantification of all kind of solutes in aqueous samples (buffers, excipients, detergents)

• Pre-formulation and formulation development: Analysis of the influence of the formulation on protein stability
• Stability studies (stress tests): Influence of pH, temperature, mutation, etc. on the protein stability
• Quality control: Check of protein concentration, structure on correct product composition (buffer, excipients) in production environment
• Binding studies: Analysis of the impact of ligand-binding on the protein structure

The AquaSpec^TM is used for the measurement of water soluble proteins or solubilized membrane-bound proteins. Using the internal calibrations of the CONFOCHECK the secondary structure and concentration of the analyzed protein are determined directly after measurement (ca. 30 sec).

It features a flow-through transmission cell, with an optimal path length of ~7 µm. The AquaSpec^TM also permits higher sample throughput and accuracy. Easily measure low protein concentrations (below 0.1 mg/ml) and detect the smallest conformational changes.

Temperature-induced unfolding / refolding processes are studied by the BioATRCell II. Apply automated temperature ramps (0-95°C) to follow specific changes of the secondary structure and determine the proteins melting point.

Furthermore, you can characterize fibrillation and aggregation processes and monitor protein structural changes in dependence of pH‑changes or ligand-binding interactions. Using a special dialysis top section for BioATRCell II, low molecular weight substances can be dialyzed into the protein compartment without diluting the protein.

About CONFOCHECK.

About the INVENIO FT-IR platform.