5 tools to keep handy when labeling your protein for MST
Protein labeling is not only the first step in MST assay development but also a critical one to ensure a successful assay. While there are several types of labels and strategies available, it’s important to choose what works best for your target molecule and matches your Monolith specifications. To get you going in the right direction, here are five tools that can help you choose and carry out the best labeling strategy.
1. Labeling Decision Tree
No matter your level of expertise, start with the Labeling Decision Tree. This visual decision-making tool will assist you in finding the best labeling strategy for your target protein in no time. Download the Labeling Decision Tree from the Explorer Community, or try the interactive Protein Labeling Assistant.
2. Optimized labeling kits
Working with the best reagents is as important as working with the best instruments for getting the best results. This is why NanoTemper labeling kits were developed and optimized to make protein labeling easier, more efficient and to ensure the success of your MST assays. With the Monolith RED 2nd generation protein labeling kits, you get increased data quality and can perform affinity studies with challenging targets. These kits span different chemistries to covalently label primary amines or cysteine residues. In addition, the His-Tag Labeling RED-tris-NTA kit offers purification-free and site-specific labeling of polyhistidine-tagged proteins and can be used with either purified or crude samples (e.g. cell lysate).
3. Labeling kit manuals
Instruction manuals always come in handy. These protein labeling kits manuals will walk you through the steps along with detailed technical information and recipe-style format protocols, plus useful tips and tricks.
4. Degree-of-labeling (DOL) calculator
Determining the efficiency of labeling is key to characterize and optimize this process. If you’re using a NanoTemper Monolith Protein Labeling Kit, you can use the online DOL calculator to readily calculate the DOL of a fluorescently labeled protein from absorbance values measured with a spectrophotometer.
5. Explorer Community
Haven’t joined yet? What better excuse than to learn best practices for protein labeling directly from our experts and your peers, but also to get other resources and to have your questions answered. Sign up for the Explorer Community to download the labeling decision tree or watch the latest webinar on choosing the best labeling strategy.
These 5 tools are ready for you to use. Rely on them and take your protein labeling to the next level.