3-D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Process Optimization: A Thermal Approach
During an SPR experiment, there are many experimental parameters that must be controlled in order to optimize the performance of the system and to generate high-quality binding data. Of these parameters, minimizing non-specific binding (NSB) is one of the most imperative as it can directly affect the accuracy of your kinetic data.
SPR experiments typically consist of a ligand – the biomolecule immobilized on the sensor surface, and the analyte – the solubilized biomolecule that binds the ligand. The analyte is flowed over the immobilized ligand, and as they interact there is a change in refractive index at the sensor surface. This change in refractive index is measured as response units (RU), which is then used to calculate the affinity and kinetics of the interaction. In some cases there can be non-specific interactions between the analyte and non-target molecules on the sensor surface, which can inflate the measured RU and lead to erroneous calculated kinetics. This is known as non-specific binding.
Strategies to reduce non-specific binding
One simple preliminary test that can be done is running the analyte over the bare sensor surface without any immobilized ligand. If you observe a significant level of NSB, there are a variety of steps that you can take to limit these interactions. Common strategies include:
- Adjusting the pH of your buffer
- Using protein blocking additives
- Adding non-ionic surfactants
- Increasing salt concentration
In order to select the best possible method, it is important to know the characteristics of your analyte and ligand. Knowing the isoelectric point, charge, size, and composition (hydrophilic, hydrophobic) of the molecules can help you determine the most effective condition(s) for reducing NSB in your experiment.
3-D printing and additive manufacturing are growing segments due to the extreme versatility of the printable materials. The application of such technologies are numerous (rapid prototyping, complex shapes, …) and require different materials with different properties. The thermal analysis can be a valuable tool to evaluate the way a material keeps his internal structure during the extrusion and also the impact of the 3D printing process in the final material properties.
Topics discussed will be:
- Brief introduction to Thermal analysis technology
- Brief introduction to Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analyzers (TGA)
- Case Study: Thermal behavior at the Extruding temperature
- Case Study: VAT Polymerization
- Case Study: Thermal properties after 3 D printing
About the Speakers
Marco Coletti has a background in Solid State Physics and has been working in the Application Support for TA Instruments for 15 years. His expertise are Rheology and Thermal Analysis. He is based in Italy.
Carlos A. Gracia Fernandez has a background in Physics and 2 PhD’s in Thermal Analysis and Rheological characterization in polymers and advanced materials. He has more than 45 publications in International journals. He has been working in the Application Support for TA Instruments for 15 years and is based in Spain.
