Epitope Mapping: Importance and Challenges

Epitope mapping is a critical process for identification and characterization of antibodies, antigens, and other protein binding sites. This information allows scientists to develop novel therapeutics and vaccines for various viral pathogens, while also being a powerful approach for understanding how antibodies are produced as a response to different conditions (including cytotoxins, allergens, neuronal or inflammatory). However, epitope identification and mapping can be difficult due to the complexity of protein and peptide structures. Current methods for epitope mapping, including X-ray co-crystallography, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and site-directed mutagenesis mapping, can be excessively time-consuming and expensive. To improve efficiency, Aurora has developed a flexible automated peptide microarray workstation to facilitate processes such as epitope mapping.

Automating Epitope Mapping: The VERSA® 110 Peptide Microarray Printing Workstation

The VERSA® series of liquid handling instruments can streamline your proteomics workflows and protein-protein interaction studies. The VERSA 110 Peptide Microarray Spotter provides automation capabilities for peptide synthesis, biomarker identification, and binding site detection research. Additionally, the VERSA 110 Peptide Microarray Spotter is effective for studying peptide structure and function at the amino acid level.

Automation of protein or peptide microarray spotting reduces experimental cost and human error, while increasing research throughput and productivity.  Overall, the VERSA 110 automated peptide microarray printing workstation allows for nano to microscale liquid contact printing on cellulose membranes, glass, and microplate platforms with high reproducibility and versatility. Features of this workstation include:

• Spotting volumes starting at 40 nL and up to 300 μL
• Accurate dispensing with <5% CV at 100 nL, and with <0.5 mm positioning error
• Repeat spotting available for maximum efficiency
• Optional temperature and humidity control to maximize yield and reproducibility
• Optional UV HEPA filtered enclosure to minimize risk of sample contamination
• Open system allows for incorporation of different sample containers and printing platforms
• Fully configurable to your workflow and microarray procedures

For a full list of features and to learn more about how the VERSA® 110 Microarray Spotter can automate peptide microarray printing for epitope mapping workflows, please contact us!