A microcalorimetry system to define the biochemical parameters of molecular interactions

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The physico-chemical driving forces of macromolecular interactions dictate all cellular processes in all living organisms, and as such constitute fundamental principles of primary importance for a wide range of research topics including epigenetics and chromatin biology, DNA repair and genomic stability, immunology, microbiology, cell signaling and reproduction. Moreover, understanding macromolecular interactions is crucial for many practical applications including molecular engineering in bioindustry and drug discovery in pharmaceutical research. Calorimetry has become the method of choice for rigorously characterizing molecular interactions and defining their thermodynamic parameters. The principle of calorimetric analyses is based on the notion that the amount of heat absorbed or released when the biomolecules of interest interact can be captured and translated into interaction data including affinity and stoichiometry. This data can be used to draw conclusions about the importance of processes. The TA Instruments NanoITC is a very powerful tool that can be used to accurately and efficiently perform these important measurements. The NanoITC instrument is configured to ensure high-sensitivity analyses on nanomolar quantities of biomolecules thus increasing laboratory productivity and efficiency. This functionality is ensured through a combination of a high sensitivity calorimeter, highly precise and very stable temperature control and efficient titrant delivery. We are a group of 10 researchers that need this technology to catalyze the prompt execution of our research programs and ensure that, during the next 6 years, several hundreds of trainees will acquire the expertise, thus maintaining our world-class leadership in the life sciences and molecular engineering.