Triceratops SPR #64

Bruker's new SPR platform, the Triceratops SPR #64, combines highly sensitive detection with exceptional microfluidic performance. It enables the simultaneous reading of 64 sensor spots by employing the perpendicular rotation of the 8-channel flow cell. This innovative design allows a broad application range from screening and kinetics to epitope characterization, condition scouting, concentration analysis, thermodynamics and beyond.

The SPR #64 system is a continuous flow biosensor, where sample and reagents are delivered to the sensor spots as continuously flowing streams. Either sample or continuous flow buffer is passed over the sensor spots. The clean separation between sample or continuous flow buffer is controlled by robust rotary valves.

The formulation of the continuous flow buffer in SPR assays can have significant impact on the molecular interactions being measured. In many applications measuring interactions in a variety of buffer environments is required. The SPR #64 simplifies multi-condition scouting by allowing the usage of up to eight running buffers in parallel.
 

The Frame Inject feature in the Triceratops SPR #64 system allows the investigation of condition dependent binding/mode of action studies. 

The feature requires just a fraction of each buffer condition, that replaces the system buffer during usage. The pre-association as well as the dissociation occurs under the conditions, that should be investigated. After dissociation end, Frame solution is replaced, and system buffer is flowing through the microfluidic system again. Thus, experimental time and reagent costs are kept low.

The Dual Inject feature enables the consecutive injection of two separate samples in a single injection command. In between both injections there is no delay. For the first injection there will only be the association monitored, whereas the second injection will have an association and a dissociation part. This feature is especially helpful when performing epitope characterization studies.

The Individual Needle Control (INC) feature in the SPR #64 system allows the eight sample pickup needles to be operated independently as well as in unison. Researchers can choose any combination from 1 - 8 needles to design their optimal assay.

Individual Needle Control maximizes the performance, flexibility, and scope of applications possible with the SPR #64 instrument, while also saving time, materials, and resources when throughput is not the main requirement.

There are two main tasks when users interact with an SPR system: measurement of samples and cleaning. The dual prism sensor from Bruker unifies these two duties into a single consumable.

Regular maintenance of laboratory equipment is critical in order to retain functionality and extend instrument lifetimes. Currently, cleaning procedures for an SPR instrument are separate actions that require manual intervention by the user. Bruker's Triceratops SPR #64 automizes this task with its unique dual prism sensor. This consumable allows the cleaning of microfluidics and tubing automatically after each experiment without any user intervention. This can add an additional runtime of approximately 30 minutes and dramatically increases convenience. 

The Bruker Triceratops SPR #64 with its outstanding signal-to-noise ratio guarantees robust measurement of small molecule interactions (≥ 100 Da). The wide dynamic range ensures accurate analysis when working with large molecules, high density target surfaces, or high RI buffers. Real-time visual monitoring of flow cells and sensors. Binding and surface creation events can be observed, and assay anomalies investigated in real time. The rate of detection is variable at any time during analysis.

The SPR #64 offers ideal conditions for long unattended assay runs. It can process samples from four microtiter plates, compatible with standard, medium or deep well 96- and 384-well microtiter plates using plate sealers and the reagent station formatted for reagent troughs subsequently without user interaction. The up to two external supplies for regeneration solution support long unattended assay runs additionally. 

The sample deck temperature can be actively controlled when using an external chiller unit.

A plate-handling robot can be integrated for long unattended assay runs. The API allows integration into fully automated environment / scheduling software. 

The SPR #64 system is a robust instrument designed for high-throughput. The flow cell rotating by 90 degrees allows the readout of an 8x8 array facilitating high-throughput assay development and optimization, as well as rapid quantitative analysis of both crude and purified samples. Eight sensor spots per flow cell enable up to 8 different targets per analysis cycle. Up to 64 different binding interactions are measured per injection, with typical cycle run times from 1–10 minutes this leads to over 30k+ generated control subtracted binding responses. In-line control analysis of up to 7 different control interactions per analysis cycle. Physical control subtraction by reading out 9 interspots. The instrument is fully automatable either via its API or usage of an external robot.

The SPR #64 combines ease of use with high flexibility and user control. Manual or fully automated instrument control increases flexibility on demand. The robust microfluidics and automated cleaning procedures minimize downtime and user maintenance requirements.

The integrated touchscreen enables quick interaction directly at the instrument (e.g. for sensor docking, starting methods, maintenance) and dynamic and intuitive color-scheme allow users to see the instrument status at first sight.

From initial assay development to pre-defined method templates, the SPR control software provides the perfect solution for every user. It combines the flexibility of the hardware with an easy-to-use drag and drop method editor. A well-defined plate and method library supports personal workflow and the data view allows real-time visual monitoring of flow cells.

The analysis software offers efficient analysis of multiplexing data and large data sets. Supporting the user with guidance tools and quality control modules delivering an additional level of reliability it is easily approachable for entry-level users but with high flexibility and maximum user control for experts.

The Triceratops SPR #64 data has an open data format in support of science. Machine-readable export options, improved visualization and reporting strengthen the connectivity to AI software modules. 

The SPR #64 design allows the simultaneous readout of 8x8 interactions in a single injection. While creating the sensor surface, it is possible to inject eight targets vertically onto the sensor surface. After rotating the flow cell, eight different analytes can be injected horizontally, thus the interaction of eight targets vs. eight analytes can be investigated on 64 sensor spots. This highly versatile design defines an exceptionally application-rich SPR instrument.

Applications supported by Triceratops SPR #64:

• Screening
• Binding Analysis (Kinetics and Steady-State)
• Specificity and Selectivity Analysis
• Thermodynamics
• Protein Quantification
• Mode-of-Action studies
• Conditional Binding (e.g., pH-dependent binding)
• Epitope Characterization (e.g., Epitope Binning)

Molecules analyzable by Triceratops SPR #64:

• Small Molecules
• Oligonucleotides
• Macrocycles
• Peptides
• Proteins
• Liposomes and virus-like particles

Details on Hardware 

Bruker's new Triceratops SPR #64 combines simple microfluidic design with robust hardware to achieve maximized throughput and outstanding performance. Learn more about its hardware features in this technical note.

Dual Prism Sensor 

There are two main tasks when users interact with an SPR system: measurement of samples and cleaning. The dual prism sensor from Bruker unifies these two duties into a single consumable. Learn more about how this helps customers reducing the downtime of the instrument and increasing productivity in the following technical note.