The launch of SPR-Navi provides applications researchers with fast and reliable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) characterisation of molecular interactions and novel surfaces
KSV Instruments has announced the introduction of SPR-Navi, a flexible, high-sensitivity system for surface-based molecular interaction analysis.
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is a highly sensitive surface characterisation 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 ideally 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 quickly generate the high quality, reliable data they need with a minimal startup time.
The convenient and open platform provides researchers with both flexibility and control.
Simple metal-coated glass slides, which are optimal for custom surface modification, are easily and quickly mounted in the instrument.
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 (40-80deg) 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.
SPR-Navi is the fruit of almost 20 years of cutting edge research at the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT), providing users with measurement confidence.
By commercialising SPR-Navi, KSV has made this exciting technology available to the world's interfacial science research community via sales and support in Finland and North America, and trained representatives in over 50 countries.
Ready-made surfaces and chemicals for surface modification, as well as a full range of accessories will be available from KSV.
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."
