Biacore vs Octet: Which SPR System is Right for You?

Biacore and Octet are two leading Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) systems, each with distinct advantages. Biacore systems are renowned for their high sensitivity, precision, and ability to provide real-time, label-free interaction data, making them ideal for detailed kinetic and affinity analyses. However, they often come with higher upfront costs and require specialized chips and regular maintenance. On the other hand, Octet systems utilize bio-layer interferometry (BLI) technology, offering a more user-friendly experience, lower initial costs, and disposable sensor tips, which simplify maintenance but may result in higher long-term consumable expenses. Octet is well-suited for high-throughput screening and labs seeking ease of use. The choice between Biacore and Octet ultimately depends on your lab's specific needs, budget, and the level of sensitivity and throughput required for your research.

Comparison of Biacore and Octet Systems: Differences in Technology, Throughput, and Applications.

When comparing Biacore and Octet systems, differences in technical principles directly determine their different performance in terms of flux and application scenarios. Based on surface plasmon resonance technology, Biacore is able to provide high-precision kinetic data by monitoring changes in the refractive index of the chip surface in real-time, which makes it excellent for low molecular weight compound screening and complex interaction studies, despite its relatively low throughput. In contrast, Octet uses biolayer interference technology to measure molecular binding indirectly through fiber optic sensors, which is slightly less accurate than SPR, but its high-throughput characteristics give it an advantage in early rapid screening and large-scale sample detection. This technical difference is further reflected in the choice of application scenarios: Biacore is better suited for in-depth studies requiring precise dynamic parameters, while Octet is more competitive in scenarios requiring rapid processing of large numbers of samples. Therefore, the technical principles not only determine the flux capabilities of both but also profoundly affect their positioning and areas of advantage in practical applications.

Technology

Biacore (SPR technology) directly measures the kinetic parameters of molecular binding/dissociation by monitoring the change of refractive index (ΔRU value) on the surface of the chip in real time supporting labeled, continuous data acquisition, which can be applied to the accurate determination of antibody to antigen affinity with sensitivity up to pM level.

Octet (BLI technology) is based on the principle of biofilm interference. After immobilizing biomolecules through the fiber optic sensor tip, the sample solution is immersed, and the binding amount is calculated indirectly through the interference wavelength shift. It passes through a 96-well plate high-throughput coarse screen and can complete 384 samples in a single run.

Throughput

Table 1 Comparison of technical parameters

Applications

When choosing Biacore and Octet systems, the match of application scenarios is a key decision factor. With its high sensitivity and accurate kinetic analysis capabilities, Biacore is particularly suited to low-molecular-weight compound screening, complex interaction studies, and regulatory filings where data accuracy is extremely high, especially in antibody drug development, where subtle affinity differences can be accurately distinguished.

Octet shows significant advantages in high-throughput screening, crude extract detection, and production quality control scenarios, and its fast and efficient nature makes it ideal for early screening and large-scale sample detection. For example, in the screening of COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies, Octet was able to complete the detection of thousands of samples in a very short time, while Biacore played an irreplaceable role in the subsequent accurate kinetic verification. Therefore, which system to choose depends on the specific needs of the research: if the pursuit of data accuracy and deep analysis, Biacore is the better choice; With a greater focus on efficiency and throughput, Octet is more competitive. The two complement each other to provide a comprehensive solution for molecular interaction research.

When to Choose Biacore for SPR

Biacore systems, renowned for their precision and versatility in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, are the preferred choice in specific research and development scenarios where data accuracy, sensitivity, and detailed kinetic analysis are paramount. Here are the key situations where Biacore stands out:

Low Molecular Weight Compound Screening

Biacore's high sensitivity allows for the detection of small molecules (as low as 150 Da) binding to target proteins, making it ideal for drug discovery programs focusing on fragment-based screening or lead optimization. 

Complex Kinetic Analysis

Biacore excels in providing detailed kinetic parameters with high precision.  This is critical for characterizing antibody-antigen interactions or other biomolecular binding events where subtle differences in binding kinetics matter.

Low-Abundance Sample Detection

With a detection limit as low as 0.1 response units, Biacore can measure weak interactions even with low-concentration samples, which is often challenging for other technologies. Biacore has been used to study interactions involving rare proteins or low-expression membrane receptors, where sample availability is limited.

Membrane Protein Interaction Studies

Biacore supports specialized sensor chips such as lipid-coated surfaces that mimic cell membrane environments. This makes it possible to study membrane protein interactions in a near-natural state. A classic example is the G protein-coupled receptor (gpcr), and much of the current research has benefited from Biacore's ability to analyze ligand binding to membrane embedding targets.

When to Opt for Octet

Octet systems, leveraging Bio-Layer Interferometry technology, are designed for speed, simplicity, and high throughput, making them an ideal choice for specific applications where efficiency and scalability are critical. Here are the key situations where Octet shines:

High-Throughput Screening

Octet's ability to process up to 384 samples in a single run (8 hours) makes it unrivaled in large-scale screening projects such as antibody library screening or protein-protein interaction studies.

Crude Sample Analysis

Octet can directly analyze samples in complex matrices, such as cell lysates or culture supernatants, without the need for extensive purification. This saves time and resources in early-stage research.

Rapid Binding Assessment

With minimal sample preparation and fast assay setup, Octet provides quick qualitative or semi-quantitative binding data, making it ideal for initial hit identification or rank-ordering of candidates.

Case Studies

A classic example is the identification of platelet membrane targets for novel monoclonal antibodies using tandem Biacore mass spectrometry. Ravanat C et al. used tandem Biacore micro purification of platelet membrane lysates and mass spectrometry to identify the target of ALM.7. In the Biacore system, a membrane protein-rich detergent lysate is poured onto a stationary ALM.17 or ALM.7. The captured proteins were eluted, concentrated on C3 magnetic beads, digested with trypsin, and then analyzed by nanoscale liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Figure 1: The Biacore instrument was used to identify the protein results captured by ALMA.17 (Ravanat C, et al,2008)

For example, Jiang L et al. used two solid tumor cell lines (HCT-8 colorectal cancer cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells) and one blood tumor cell line (K562 CML cells) that were resistant to the chemotherapy drugs vincristine and adriamycin, respectively, and two xenotransplantation mouse models. A nude mouse solid tumor model with drug-resistant HCT-8 cells and a NOD/SCID mouse leukemia model with drug-resistant K562 cells were included to investigate the effects of IVM on drug resistance in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the effect of IVM on the growth of cancer cells in vitro by MTT method. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to study the reversal of IVM in vivo. Western blotting, qPCR, luciferase reporter gene detection, and ChIP detection of the molecular mechanism of reverse effect. The Octet RED96 system and Co-IP were used to determine the interaction between IVM and EGFR, ultimately determining that ivermectin reverses drug resistance in cancer cells via the EGFR/ERK/Akt/NF-κB pathway.

Cost and Maintenance Considerations

When evaluating Biacore and Octet SPR systems for your lab, cost and maintenance are critical factors to consider. Biacore systems, known for their high sensitivity and precision, typically come with a higher initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs, including specialized chips and reagents. In contrast, Octet systems often have a lower upfront cost and use disposable sensor tips, which can simplify maintenance but may lead to higher long-term consumable expenses. Additionally, Biacore systems may require more frequent calibration and servicing, while Octet systems are generally easier to use and maintain, making them more cost-effective for labs with limited technical expertise. Ultimately, the choice depends on your lab's budget, throughput needs, and the level of sensitivity required for your experiments.

If you're looking for expert guidance or support in implementing Surface Plasmon Resonance technology, our team offers comprehensive SPR services tailored to your research needs.  From system selection and setup to experimental design and data analysis, we provide end-to-end solutions to ensure optimal performance and results.  Whether you're new to SPR or seeking to enhance your current capabilities, our services are designed to streamline your workflow and maximize the value of your investment.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your SPR projects!