Our Services

Hands-on research expertise for our clients

For more than 20 years, we have been partnering closely and reliably with organizations across industry and research. We tackle demanding scientific and technical challenges, offering solutions to even the most complex questions. Whether you are a start-up, SME, mid-sized company, or global corporation, we understand your unique needs and deliver tailored, practical solutions.

We look forward to presenting you with a customized proposal and building a successful partnership!

Biomolecular Interaction Analysis

© Fraunhofer IME
At Fraunhofer IME, two powerful instruments are available: a Biacore T100 (Cytiva) and an Octet Red BLI (Sartorius) to address challenging questions regarding the characterization of biomolecules using interaction assays.

The effectiveness of pharmaceutical compounds such as therapeutic antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule drugs depends on their precise molecular interactions with specific receptors or target molecules in the human body. Using advanced techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and bio-layer interferometry (BLI), we perform quantitative, highly sensitive real-time analyses of biomolecular interactions — providing key data for selecting and optimizing your product candidates.

We collaborate with you to design customized, and upon request, fully validated assays that support your product and candidate development from early-stage screening to final validation.

Our Services

  • Comprehensive support for the design, execution, and analysis of interaction studies, including expert training
  • Development and validation of assays for a wide range of interaction partners — from antibodies and Fc receptors to peptides, carbohydrates, and small molecules
  • Standard-based and label-free concentration determination
    Measurement of active concentrations and binding stoichiometry
  • Determination of absolute and relative binding activities, as well as thermodynamic binding constants

Your Benefits

  • Comprehensive solutions from a single source: method development, analysis, and expert interpretation of results
  • Extensive experience in biomolecular interaction analysis
  • Tailored assay development and full documentation support

Application examples for biomolecular interaction analysis

 

Vaccines against malaria

Innovative technologies for the production of groundbreaking biopharmaceutical products in microbes and plants will be evaluated with regard to antibody-specific immune responses. This will help identify promising candidate drugs for subsequent clinical trials.

 

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic reagents

The aim of the project is to characterize batches of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein produced in tobacco plants. A protocol for verifying product quality based on binding to the human ACE-2 receptor using SPR analyses will be developed.

 

European Vaccine Development Network

The project supports vaccine development in Europe. High-quality technical services are offered through four different platforms: Process Development and GMP Manufacturing Technologies, Immuno-Correlates & Systems Biology, Animal Models, and Clinical Trial Support.

 

Antiviral effect of breast milk sugars

Biotechnologically produced human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) from breast milk were to be investigated for their antiviral properties. A specifically developed SPR assay confirmed the inhibitory effect of the HMOs.

 

Allergen characterization using SPR

In the LOW ALLERGEN project, a novel method for the efficient detection of soy allergens in processed foods was developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Leipzig. The integrity of recombinant soy allergens was confirmed using an SPR assay.

 

Workshop on the use of SPR in vaccine development

From September 13-14, 2022, Holger Spiegel gave a lecture at the Jenner Institute in Oxford on the use of standard-free concentration determination (CFCA) for the quantification of antigens and antibodies to facilitate the interpretation of pathogen inhibition assays and the analysis of samples from clinical trials.