Innovative analytical system for screening on lectins

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins from plants, animals or microorganisms, which typically bind specifically to sugar residues, e.g., those located in cell walls or membranes. This reaction might change the physiology of the cell wall and influences the metabolism inside the cell. Some lectins of plants stimulate the immune system by unspecific activation of T-cells or influence cell division; others cause agglutination of cells (e.g., erythrocytes) and are therefore from therapeutic interest.In a new approach, biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) was utilized for a screening program on lectins. The BIA has been done by a new interferometric biosensor based on spectral-phase interference (SPI). The system can be used either for characterisation of lectin binding domains or for a screening on lectins obtained from natural sources. Several lectin binding surfaces on the basis of SPI have been established.