Technology >> Mechanochemical Method In the past years, many technologies were developed to measure and to analyze the biomolecular interactions (bindings). More convenient methods, such as surface plasmon resonance and quartz crystal microbalance, have recently been developed to detect molecular interactions in real-time. Fuence has developed a process (the MC method) and innovative technology which allow the sensitive detection of "protein conformational change caused by biomolecular interactions" in real-time without the use of labels.   Monitoring of Conformational Change in Calmodulin with MC method Ca2+ dependent change in tensile force of calmodulin films Ca2+ quickly increases the tensile force of calmodulin MC film, which reaches a plateau, and EGTA quickly reverse the tension to the basal level. The increase of the tension depends on Ca2+ concentrations with KD value of 300nM.. Principles MC method is a process which analyzes conformational change of proteins associated with biomolecular interactions. This process uses a highly sensitive force sensor which can detect protein conformational changes as a tension and/or a rigidity change in MC film, in real-time without the use of labels. The MC method measures protein conformational changes in the MC film. In this way, a molecule attached to the MC film determines the specificity of the analysis. An immediate change in the signals of force sensor is produced, so that it is immediately apparent whether an interaction which has occurred in the MC film gives rise to protein conformational changes or not. As the sample is passed over the MC film, the progress of conformational changes associated with interaction between the sample and the protein directly reflects the rate at which the interactional event occurs. Injection of sample is followed by buffer flow during which the response reflects the rate of dissociation of the complex. The rate of the interactional change in MC film is a function of the sample concentration, so that measurements with MC method can be used to determine concentration of a specific substance in a pure solution or in a complex mixture. MC technology is widely applicable to the field of protein research relevant to protein structure and function, but also provides a unique screening system for pharmaceutical and clinical diagnostic drugs. What is MC film? MC film is a protein film produced by the ESD method, which can be separated as a freestanding layer by the treatment with cross-linking agent. (-> film)   Copyright (C) 2005 Fuence co., Ltd. All Rights Reseved.