Characterising biomolecular interactions and dynamics with mass photometry

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Characterizing biomolecular structure, interactions, and dynamics is crucial for understanding biological mechanisms.
• Existing solution-based methods often have limitations in providing detailed information on stoichiometry and kinetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in using mass photometry (MP) for characterizing biomolecules in solution.
• To highlight the capabilities of MP in determining molecular properties like abundance, affinities, and binding kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Mass photometry (MP) enables label-free detection and mass measurement of individual biomolecules.
• MP allows for molecular counting and identification in solution.
• The technique provides access to relative abundance, affinities, and binding dynamics (on- and off-rates).

Main Results:

• MP offers molecular resolution, enabling measurements as a function of stoichiometry and assembly at equilibrium.
• Direct access to relative abundance provides insights into molecular affinities.
• Analysis of associated dynamics yields kinetic parameters like on- and off-rates.

Conclusions:

• Mass photometry is a powerful tool for label-free characterization of biomolecules in solution.
• MP provides mechanistic details of complex biomolecular interactions and dynamics.
• Future improvements in assays and technology will further enhance MP's utility.