Structural and Binding Analysis Platform
Supporting Structure-Based Drug Discovery
For PPI drug discovery, understanding how compounds bind to target proteins and quantitatively evaluating these interactions is essential. Based on this principle, PRISM BioLab has established an integrated in-house platform encompassing structural analysis, binding analysis, and protein production and purification, closely linked with computational chemistry.
X-Ray Crystallograph
PRISM BioLab performs co-crystallization of target proteins with compounds entirely in-
house. Using advanced instrumentation, including the Mosquito nanoliter dispensing robot,
crystallization condition screening and optimization are conducted efficiently
Crystals obtained in-house are analyzed at synchrotron radiation facilities such as SPring-8 (Hyogo, Japan) and the Aichi Synchrotron Radiation Center (Aichi, Japan). X-ray diffraction data collection and subsequent data processing and structure determination are performed internally.
Structural information generated by biophysicists is analyzed in collaboration with computational chemists and shared with medicinal chemists, supporting structure-based compound design and optimization.
SPring-8 and SACLA
Experimental Hall, Storage Ring Building
Courtesy of RIKEN
Biophysical Binding Analysis
In addition to structural data, PRISM BioLab conducts biophysical analyses to evaluate compound–protein interactions. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is employed in-house to quantitatively assess whether compounds bind to target proteins.
Beyond binding affinity, kinetic parameters such as association and dissociation rates are measured, enabling evaluation of binding dynamics and potential duration of action. These biophysical data are integrated with structural and pharmacological evaluation results to guide compound selection and optimization.
Protein Expression and Purificatio
Reliable binding and pharmacological analyses require stable supply of target proteins optimized for evaluation purposes. PRISM BioLab designs target proteins based on intended assays and employs diverse expression systems to produce them.
Protein purification is performed using ÄKTA chromatography systems, allowing flexible optimization of purification protocols and scale. This enables production of proteins tailored for structural analysis, biophysical assays, and pharmacological evaluations, all conducted in-house.
Through close collaboration among biophysics, computational chemistry, medicinal
chemistry, and biology, PRISM BioLab integrates binding analysis into a unified research
process. This integrated capability represents a key strength in advancing PPI drug discovery.
