Chips will allow the simultaneous identification of many hundred medically relevant proteins from complex biological substrates
In a joint project with the Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics, Scienion is adapting its chip technology for protein applications.
Previously, the technology has mainly been used for nucleic acids chips.
The project aims to develop antibody chips for the analysis of human proteins and is funded by the Zukunftsfonds of Berlin.
Besides the adaptation of Scienion's 2D/3D chip technology for the detection of proteins and the development of appropriate bioinformatic solutions the characterisation and quality control of antibody libraries is an integral part of the project.
Modern techniques of mass spectrometry are applied.
Initially, antibodies against 384 human proteins will be tested.
While the team at the Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics mainly focuses on the characterisation of the antibodies, Scienion works on the technological development of the chips.
The crucial step is an efficient and reproducible procedure for docking the antibodies to the chip surface without destroying their binding specificity. The immobilisation process must also allow a sterically unhindered binding of the antigens.
Two techniques are used for the detection of the binding proteins (antigens): probes are supplied with a fluorescence dye and analysed with a fluorescence spectrometer.
Additionally, the mass spectrum of the binding proteins is detected by Maldi-Tof-MS in a high throughput manner. Furthermore, scientists at Scienion will develop controls essential for data analysis and then integrate these controls into the chip layout and establish an efficient quality control. Holger Eickhoff, CEO of Scienion, explained the advantages for customers: "These antibody chips will allow the simultaneous identification of many hundred medically relevant proteins from complex biological substrates: fast, cost effective, and with a high sensitivity".
In addition, Scienion will also offer the development of customised antibody chips.
Applications in diagnostics and drug development There is already a demand for this technological innovation for diagnostic applications.
At present Scienion's novel chip technology is used at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in a project of the German National Genome Research Net (NGFN).
Project coordinator Erich Wanker uses the Scienion know-how and the new antibody chips for the detection and characterisation of neuronal proteins: "Antibody chips provide us with new opportunities for a fast and parallel analysis of protein-protein interactions of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson or Huntington's chorea.
"The results of these studies contribute to a better understanding of molecular processes in the course of the diseases and hopefully will lead to the identification of new targets for innovative drugs."
