The research service, Advances in Label-free Detection Technologies, provides an in-depth assessment of the ongoing developments in various label-free technology companies around the world, a description of their platform technology, key application areas, patents, and collaborations wherever applicable. The research has been segmented into two main technology areas, namely optical and non-optical technologies for label-free detection and analysis
and attempts to objectively analyze the ongoing and future trends of the label-free industry for biomolecular interaction analysis and cell based assays. It deals with the various challenges that this industry faces today and gives strategic recommendations that try to offer a solution to these problems. Conversely, the research service also outlines the various drivers and opportunities that are pushing the growth of this industry forward. The other important analysis that this research service provides is a SWOT assessment. There is also a listing of the key patents in the areas of optical and non-optical label-free technologies.
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Technology Overview
Biomolecular Interaction Analysis to Boost Label-free Technology
As all processes in the human body are the result of the interaction between two molecules, it is critical to study biomolecular interactions whether in the diseased or normal state. In this approach, diseases are described as the undesirable outcome of the interactions between two molecules or entities. In drug discovery too, the interaction between two molecules is of prime importance. Whether it is a small molecule drug, or a biological such as an enzyme or monoclonal antibody drug, the end result is the interaction between two molecules, namely a protein and a small molecule, or an enzyme and its substrate, or an antigen and antibody, or the interaction between two different proteins. It is crucial to the process of lead optimization that the various parameters of the relationship between a ligand and target such as binding time, strength of bonding, length of bonding, time taken to come apart, and the conditions under which they stay bound or dissociated are measured. This biomolecular interaction analysis is critical to drug discovery, and it is here that label-free technologies play an important role.
Earlier, such analysis was performed using fluorescent, chemical, or radioactive labels. However, fluorescent labeling suffers from inherent discrepancies such as low signal intensity, photobleaching, and sensitivity to surrounding conditions. In addition, the option pool for fluorescent labeling is very limited in that there are a very small number of dyes available and several fluorochromes are subject to spectral overlap with other fluorochromes. Also, labeling techniques require the development of custom assays, a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Many label screens do not permit real-time analysis but only elapsed-time analysis. "This can lead to several crucial observations being missed, especially in kinetic studies where it is favorable to have the entire picture rather than only the end result," notes the analyst of this research. "Moreover, proteins are highly susceptible to conformational changes, which can change their entire function, so more often than not, tagging proteins with labels leads to changes in their structure and function, which is unacceptable." All these disadvantages to labeling make label-free technologies highly desirable.
Time Savings to Lead to Adoption of Label-free Technology
In the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, there is a one-to-one relationship between time and cost savings. "Label-free technology holds significant prospects for expediting cycle times, as it does not require the development of custom standardization assays, which are a base requirement for label-based assays," says the analyst. "Rather, it uses a universal approach to assay development and screening, which leads to shorter assay development times." Label-free technology also provides an easy kinetic measurement method that provides more information and helps in the triaging of real positives.
Label-free assays will also enable the study of protein-protein interfaces that have so far been inaccessible. This is a benefit that can be used to push the technology to companies studying orphan targets. Further, label-free technology allows cell-based assays such as cytotoxicity testing, cell proliferation, cell invasion, and cell quality or viability testing. This is a new opportunity for this technology, which can be used not only in upstream assays such as compound profiling and screening but also for downstream studies such as pre-clinical and proof of concept studies. Fragment-based screening, involving the screening of molecules that are smaller than the final drug molecule too is possible using label-free technology. All these advantages make label-free technology useful to companies and academics involved in the drug discovery process.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
Optical technology
Non-optical technology
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
SPR
Diffractive optics technology
Bio-layer optical Resonance Interrogation for High Throughput (BRIGHT)
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