BIACORE Meaning and
Definition
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Biacore is a brand name for a type of analytical instrument used in the field of biochemistry and biophysics. It is a high-precision biosensor system designed for real-time, label-free analysis of molecular interactions.
The Biacore instrument utilizes surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology to measure the binding kinetics and affinity between biomolecules, such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, or small molecules. It consists of a flow cell that contains a sensor chip with a gold-coated surface, where ligands or analytes of interest can be immobilized. The sample analyte is then injected into the flow cell, and any interactions with the immobilized ligands cause changes in the refractive index of the sensor surface, which are detected by light beams passing through the gold film. These changes are then converted into real-time data, providing information on the interaction parameters including association and dissociation rates, as well as equilibrium constants.
The Biacore system offers several advantages in the study of molecular interactions, including its label-free nature, which eliminates the need for molecular modification, and its ability to provide quantitative data on the kinetics and affinity of binding. The instrument is commonly used in various research areas such as drug discovery, protein-protein interactions, enzymology, and vaccine development. Its high sensitivity, accuracy, and versatility make it a valuable tool for analyzing diverse biomolecular interactions and studying their roles in biological processes.
Etymology of BIACORE
The word "Biacore" is a brand name for a system that is used in the field of biochemistry for analyzing biomolecular interactions. As such, its etymology does not have a traditional linguistic origin but rather a commercial one.
The company name "Biacore" was created by the founders of the biotechnology company Pharmacia Biosensor (now part of GE Healthcare), which developed the Biacore technology. The name "Biacore" is a combination of "bio" (short for biology) and "acore" (derived from the Latin word "acorus" meaning core or center).
The founders intended to convey that the Biacore system is at the core of bioanalytical research, providing essential information about biomolecular interactions. Therefore, the word "Biacore" combines the key elements of the technology's purpose and its central position in the field of study.
