Kinetic Characterization by Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Biosensors: Principle and Emerging Trends

Within the last three decades, surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based optical biosensors have emerged as leading instruments for the study of biomolecular interactions. The rapid dissemination of the technology has provided researchers with versatile and sensitive instruments for the identification of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters related to macromolecular interactions. This review article presents the basic principles, as well as the classical experimental approaches and data treatment techniques related to the use of commercially available instruments for the characterization of protein-protein interactions. Emphasis will be put on new experimental trends aiming at improving two important aspects of any SPR kinetic studies, i.e., proteins tethering on biosensor surfaces as well as the optimization of data collection.