Proteins are vital for life and perform a wide range of essential biochemical tasks in all living organisms. Cells of these organisms are hence under a constant pressure to maintain an optimal protein environment, assuring all proteins are correctly folded and functional.
Unfolded proteins are sticky and tend to form so-called protein aggregates with either themselves, other proteins or when binding to exposed surfaces within the cell. Aggregation mechanisms depend on both primary amino acid sequence of the protein and external environment such as pH, salt and temperature. Most protein aggregates can be reversed or degraded by the cell protein quality system (molecular chaperones or proteases).
However, sometimes the control mechanisms fail and accumulated aggregates transform into amyloid plaques and other protein megastructures. This is the case in protein misfolding diseases, proteopathies, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Amyloids behave very differently to functional soluble protein, for example in regards to rigidity. Current trends within this field of research is to study the kinetic buildup of such megastructures and consequently also searching for therapeutic agents that prevent buildup and hence disease. Protein misfolding diseases are a huge threat to the increasing ageing population, with such diseases affecting more than 10% of all people over the age of 65.
Learn about how aggregation of protein Tau in tauopathies, a sub-set of neurodegenerative diseases, can be studied with QCM-D.
Read about how protein adsorption at various surface and solution conditions quickly can be measured
Read about what single-harmonic and multi-harmonic QCM-D means and what the difference is between these instruments.
Read about how QSense QCM-D analysis is used as a powerful tool to investigate protein-lipid nanoparticles binding affinity
Learn about the difference between the theoretical QCM sensitivity and the sensitivity which is relevant in a measurement situation.
Read about the piezoelectric effect and how piezoelectricity arises
Learn more about QSense 4th generation QCM-D platform which provides a sharper tool in the scientist toolbox and simplifies data interpretation.
Learn about how biointerfaces and biomolecular interactions can be studied using QSense® QCM-D and what information these measurements offer.
Read about Prof. Jackman's experience using QCM-D to study surfactant-interaction with model membranes
Sign upp for the webinar to learn more about how QCM-D is used to study biomaterial-induced activation of the immune system
Learn about what aspects to consider after you have run a QCM measurement
QSense Omni is designed to offer cutting-edge QCM-D performance in modular setup-configurations based on user needs