RESEARCH

Investigating protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is essential in basic and clinical research, but current techniques for detecting PPI are hampered by lengthy protocols, reduced sensitivity, and a high rate of false positive results. To overcome these challenges, we use, in our lab, in the magnetic modulation biosensing (MMB) system, in which one protein of interest is attached to a magnetic bead and another protein is coupled to a fluorescent molecule. Thus, when the two proteins interact, the fluorescent molecule is connected to the magnetic bead.

Using recombinant and native proteins, we identified, in our lab, the known interaction between erythropoietin and its receptor. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time the direct interaction of a recently identified and characterized toxin antitoxin pair in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Compared to the commonly used Co-immunoprecipitation technique coupled to western blot, which takes approximately 10 hours, a measurement in the MMB system takes only two minutes and has much less non-specific binding. We anticipate that the MMB-based technique will significantly advance the detection of PPIs in medical and drug discovery research.

In October 6th, 2019, our paper on identification of protein-protein interactions was published in "Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical".

The paper, entitled 'Identification of Protein-Protein Interactions Using a Magnetic Modulation Biosensing System', can be found in the Publications section, and at DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2019.127228.