Bonn, Germany – 12 March 2012 – SAW Instruments GmbH, developer of the innovative sam® family of biosensors for real-time, label-free assays using living cells, has further expanded its presence in the USA by forming a new subsidiary, SAW Instruments USA, LLC, and recruiting a full time Field Application Scientist based in Boston, MA. Islay Campbell, who has previously worked in Pharma at EMD Serono, has significant experience in the field of protein binding analysis gained while working for ForteBIO. Ms Campbell will provide a local US-based point of contact for potential new and current customers interested in utilising SAW’s innovative sam® range of biosensors. This single platform represents a step-change for biosensors by accurately measuring protein-protein interactions, protein small molecule interactions, protein conformational changes and antibody kinetics using living cells. To help researchers realise the advantages offered by the SAW approach, Miss Campbell will provide local support by way of demonstrations, installation, system-training and on-going application advice.
Managing Director of SAW Instruments, Dr Markus Perpeet, said: “Since the recent US launch of sam®X at the IBC Antibody Engineering meeting in San Diego last December, we have seen significant interest from a number of US companies and institutes in the breadth and unique range of applications afforded by this technology. To meet this growing demand, and to provide these customers with easy and rapid access to our world-class technical expertise and support, we have expanded our team to include a dedicated Field Application Scientist based in the US.” The new hire is part of SAW’s ongoing expansion, which already includes offering sam® systems in Asian markets via distributors, as well as continued growth in Europe.
The sam® range of biosensors utilise SAW’s proprietary Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology, which allows users to investigate protein binding kinetics in real time and without the need for protein labelling. This means results are more biologically relevant and are produced in a fraction of the time taken to generate data using equilibrium methods. Unlike the optical signals used in surface plasmon resonance, the acoustic waves utilised by sam® systems are not significantly affected by the transparency or complexity of the material flowing over the sensor chip, meaning that time-consuming and expensive protein purification steps can often be omitted.
SAW offers three different sam® biosensor systems, each optimised to meet specific user requirements:
sam®X: Automation and high-throughput
- Optimised for label-free kinetics on cells
- Eight sensors on two sensor chips
sam®5 GREEN: Precision, reliability and reproducibility
- Five sensors on one chip
- Pre-coated disposable sensor chips designed to cope with the quality demands of both methods development and routine assays
- Used for ongoing development studies by growing biotech companies
sam®5 BLUE: Flexibility and cost-effectiveness
- Easy to use and cost-effective to run
- Five sensors on one chip
- Re-coatable chips
- Ideal for academic researchers requiring maximum flexibility across a diverse group of users
For more information please visit the SAW Instruments website at www.saw-instruments.com or download the latest version of the sam® product brochure.
Notes on the technology
Surface Acoustic Wave technology is based on the ability of a wave of energy to travel across the surface of a material. Each surface has a typical inherent elasticity affecting the way the energy of the wave dissipates as it travels across the surface of the material being analysed. Thus, the nature of the surface in question, and therefore any changes to it, can be assessed by sensors monitoring the behaviour of the wave as it propagates across the surface. In particular, changes in mass result in alterations to the phase of the wave, whilst viscoelastic and conformational characteristics influence wave amplitude. The technology developed and employed by SAW instruments is capable of accurately interpreting this information in order to provide real time readouts measuring binding and conformational changes in the samples through which the wave passes.
About SAW Instruments GmbH
SAW Instruments GmbH, headquartered in Bonn, Germany, designs, develops and sells biosensor-based laboratory instruments for life sciences research. The proprietary technology of SAW Instruments employs a Surface Acoustic Waves approach to biological measurement, rather than using traditional optical methods such as SPR. The technology is uniquely positioned compared to other biosensor technologies based on its ability to measure antibody binding to whole cells, protein small molecule binding in high DMSO, and conformational changes in proteins caused by ligand binding. In addition, the system is also capable of providing other industry standard measurements including those involving concentration, kinetics and affinity.
SAW instruments has more than ten years experience in the field of label-free biosensor technology and a number of our customers have successfully published work employing the platform. It is our goal is to continue to build on this experience, as well as to develop a family of workflow-driven products to further meet our customers’ needs.
About SAW Instruments USA, LLC
SAW Instruments USA, LLC is a wholly owned US subsidiary of SAW Instruments GmbH
