IR-Laser

In TRIC assays an infra-red (IR) laser with a wavelength of 1480 nm is absorbed by water molecules, resulting in a defined and user-controlled temperature change. The temperature change intensity is determined by the laser On-time. During the time the IR laser is active the temperature in the Well is locally increased. the shorter the laser on-time, the lower the overall increase in temperature. The change in temperature results in an alteration of the fluorescence signal of the sample (i.e TRIC), which is specific for the bound and unbound state of a Target molecule. Due to the local nature and high speed of the heating process, temperature increases (ΔT) up to 10 K ensure reliable and reproducible results, without compromising the structural integrity of the sample. Even for unstable proteins, which could be affected by the small temperature increase, the rate of the heating process is generally faster than the rate of thermal destabilization.