KSV Instruments Introduces a Generation Shift in SPR Platform Technology

KSV Instruments Ltd. (KSV), part of the Biolin group of companies (Biolin AB, Malmö, Sweden), has announced the introduction of SPR-Navi, a high-sensitivity system for surface-based molecular interaction analysis. The new system will be officially released at the American Chemical Society Meeting in New Orleans, LA, USA, April 6-10, 2008 (booth #1346).

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is said to be a sensitive surface characterization technique that allows in situ determination of surface confined molecular interactions.

SPR-Navi fills the existing gap between the technically challenging but powerful general optical instruments (ellipsometers) and devices designed specifically to measure molecular interaction affinity.

The versatility of the system means that it is suited to a wide range of applications, from optimization of biomaterial coatings to biosensor development, and from lipid monolayer studies to specific label-free biomolecular interactions. SPR-Navi allows researchers to generate the data they need with a minimal startup time, the company claims.

The open platform can provide researchers with both flexibility and control. The optical prism is coupled to the surface via a groundbreaking optical gel, avoiding the potential contamination problems associated with the use of index matching oils.

High performance liquid handling means flow rates and sample volumes are precisely controlled. Two separate measurement channels are available, allowing simultaneous reference or duplicate measurement. A wide angular range (40-80°) allows measurement in both air and liquid, providing the possibility for quality checks on modified surfaces before injecting valuable liquid samples.

Additionally, simple measurement of SPR curves over a wide angular range opens the door to the study of new and potentially superior metal coatings.

Sauli Tormala, President and CEO at KSV Instruments, said “SPR-Navi represents perfectly our core values, where the user’s interest is of prime importance. This is obvious not only in performance and flexibility, but also ease of use and short startup times, ensuring that students and lab staff can easily manage the instrument without help. We are sure that for these reasons, SPR-Navi will offer many great new insights to researchers in all fields where surface-confined molecular analysis is important.”