Symposium Summary

Over the past two decades the benefits of label-free biosensor analysis have begun to make an impact in the market, and systems are beginning to be used as mainstream research tools in many laboratories. Biosensors are devices that use biological or chemical receptors to detect analytes in a sample. They give detailed information on the binding affinity, and in many cases also the binding kinetics and even thermodynamcis of a biomolecular interaction. Typically, the receptor molecule must be connected in some way to a transducer that produces an electrical signal in real-time. Label-free biosensors do not require the use of reporter elements (fluorescent, luminescent, radiometric, or colorimetric) to facilitate measurements. Detailed information on an interaction can be obtained during analysis while minimizing sample processing requirements and assay run times.

Unlike label- and reporter-based technologies that simply confirm the presence of the detector molecule, label-free techniques can provide direct information on analyte binding to target molecules typically in the form of mass addition or depletion from the surface of the sensor substrate, or measuring changes in the heat capacity of a sample. However, these technologies have failed to gain widespread acceptance due to technical constraints, low throughput, high user expertise requirements, and cost. While they can be powerful tools in the hands of a skilled user evaluating purified samples, they are not readily adapted to every day lab use where simple to understand results on high numbers of samples are the norm.

This conference, dedicated solely to the area of "label-free detection technologies in drug discovery", seeks to address some of the issues surrounding the unmet needs in the market place, and the difficulties faced by technology developers in meeting these needs with innovative products. It will also outline recent trends from newer technology developers who are in the race to release products for primary and secondary drug screening, mode of action studies, and screening of pharmacokinetic properties.