Technology

Based on the proven, reliable and versatile Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) technology, Attana systems are optimized for life science research and development.

QCM Technology

Attana biosensors are based on the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) technique. By applying an AC-potential to a piezoelectric quartz crystal, the crystal can be controlled to oscillate at its resonance frequency. The frequency of the crystal is altered by adding or removing atoms or molecules from the surface of the crystal. Hence, the crystal is used as a sensitive microbalance.

Easy as 1-2-3

1. The Attana chip consists of a gold layered quartz crystal which is made to oscillate by adding an AC-potential. The frequency of the blank chip is measured and presented in Attana’s Attester software.

2. Antibodies (or other targets) are injected into the system and covalently bind to the chip surface. As the mass on the surface changes a new frequency is registered, in real time.

3. An antigen (or other sample) is injected and as it binds to the target a frequency change is registered (on-rate). Thereafter, the off-rate is observed as the sample leaves the target. 

Real time, Label-free Interaction Analysis

Attana systems provide real-time information about:

• Kinetics, the speed of the reaction between target and sample molecules.
• Affinity, the strength of the binding between target and sample molecules.
• Concentration, the number of molecules in the sample.
• Specificity, the target's interaction with different molecules.