Automated microcalorimetry guides the
process of understanding biomolecular interactions with broad
application throughout drug discovery research
Brian Lightbody, Vice President, GE Healthcare, MicroCal Products
Group
This presentation will discuss the latest innovation in automated
label free detection technologies, the Auto-iTC200 Isothermal Titration
Calorimeter. Applications examples will be provided that illustrate its
use in drug discovery research. Calorimetry has long been recognize as
the “gold standard” for binding studies and has been
utilized by scientists to elucidate the thermodynamics underlying
biomolecular interactions. This knowledge has provided crucial insights
that have allowed scientists to better understand the mechanisms of
small molecule and target interaction, as well as to select the best
lead molecules to move forward. However its use has been limited
because of slow throughputs and excessive sample consumption. New
miniaturized sample cell design, ultrasensitive electronics, and
automated sample handling have addressed the sample consumption and
time constraints that have previously limited the use this powerful
technique. This has allowed ITC to be effectively utilized at earlier
stages of the drug discovery process. The Auto-iTC200 provides, for the
first time, access to complete binding profile data at throughput rates
comparable to traditional secondary and confirmatory screening
techniques. Applications examples will be discussed
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| "MicroCal was founded in 1977 with the
mission to develop, manufacture and market ultrasensitive
calorimeters. Prior to the formation of MicroCal, commercial
calorimeters were extremely difficult to use, had long
experimental times and required large amounts of sample due to
poor sensitivity. As a result, the use of microcalorimetry was
limited almost exclusively to specialists who devoted
themselves primarily to calorimetry.
Technology and product improvements are
important cornerstones of our philosophy at MicroCal. Our
innovations have led to numerous advances in both
microcalorimetry systems and software for the collection,
analysis and presentation of calorimetric data. As a result,
microcalorimetry is now among the fastest growing areas of life
sciences research and MicroCal instruments are recognized
across the world as the industry standard and can be found in
major pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and government
institutions worldwide.
MicroCal's first product was the MC-1
scanning calorimeter. This instrument quickly became the
leading commercially available ultrasensitive Differential
Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). In the late 1990’s, MicroCal
launched the VP-DSC, the best selling ultrasensitive DSC system
in the world. This was followed in 2003 with the introduction
of the VP-Capillary DSC Platform, designed for high-throughput
stability screening.
The scientists and engineers at MicroCal
pioneered the development of a commercial Isothermal Titration
Calorimeter (ITC) capable of measuring biological interactions.
In 1989, MicroCal introduced the OMEGA, the first ITC system
which was sensitive enough to measure heats of binding for
biological interactions. Substantial improvements were made
with the development of the MCS-ITC and further improvements in
sensitivity and ease of use have been included in the VP-ITC
and the Auto-ITC systems. In 2007, we introduced the iTC200,
representing yet another leap in technology and instrument
performance. In 2008 we will introduce the Auto-iTC200, a fully
automated version of the iTC200.
Over the past 30 years, MicroCal has been
privileged to participate in the development and advancement of
an important technology that has found broad application in the
basic research of biomolecules and the discovery and
development of many new therapeutics and biotherapeutics. We
look forward to continuing our participation and leadership in
this important area of biological science and to developing
important new innovations that will continue to expand the
future capabilities of our technology and products. Conceiving
those innovations, developing the core technology and turning
those developments into advanced new products is our job, and
more importantly, it is our commitment to our
customers."
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