SGS Adds Bio-Layer Interferometry Analysis

SGS announced on April 26, 2016, that it is introducing bio-layer interferometry (BLI) for the analysis of molecular interactions in real time, at its laboratory in Mississauga, Canada. The service leverages the capabilities of the Octet Red96 System (ForteBio/Pall Life Sciences) to detect specific interactions between a biosensor and a target analyte, and offers a number of advantages over current analytical techniques, the company reports.

BLI uses the principle of optical interferometry to generate real time binding curves. An optic fiber is coated with a specific capture molecule, such as a monoclonal antibody, and binding of a target analyte to the biosensor is monitored using an algorithm which then converts interference patterns into a binding curve. This method can be used to study interactions between most types of molecules, such as protein-protein, protein-small molecule, antibody-peptide, DNA-protein or DNA-DNA. The data generated by the newly installed instrument is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant to ensure integrity of information for regulatory submissions.

In comparison with other techniques, BLI is easier to use, more cost effective and more tolerant of samples in complex mixtures, such as media and lysates, the company reports. For molecular binding affinity/kinetics analysis, BLI provides rate and affinity constants in minutes. Protein quantitation can be performed over a dynamic range from ng/mL to mg/mL. Samples do not need to be purified or diluted and the label-free, non-destructive method conserves valuable samples.

The investment in BLI at its Mississauga facility comes after the December 2015 announcement of the acquisition of Quality Compliance Laboratories Inc., which expanded SGS’s service provision in the analytical testing of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, raw materials and packaging, and medical devices capacity from its three laboratories in Canada.

Source: SGS Life Science Services