Affimer

A synthetic protein technology used in research and diagnostics

Affimer

Illustration of an Affimer molecule

Affimers are a class of synthetic proteins that are engineered to bind to specific target molecules. They are used in a variety of applications, including biomedical research, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Affimers are designed to mimic the binding properties of antibodies, but they offer several advantages over traditional antibodies, such as increased stability and ease of production.

Structure and Function

Affimers are based on a small protein scaffold that can be engineered to display a variety of binding surfaces. This scaffold is typically derived from a naturally occurring protein, such as staphylococcal protein A or cystatin. The binding surface of an Affimer is created by introducing mutations into the scaffold, allowing it to interact specifically with a target molecule.

The ability of Affimers to bind to their targets with high specificity and affinity makes them useful tools in molecular biology. They can be used to detect and quantify proteins, to purify proteins from complex mixtures, and to inhibit the function of target proteins in cellular assays.

Applications

Affimers have a wide range of applications in both research and clinical settings. In research, they are used as tools for protein purification, immunoassays, and immunoprecipitation. In diagnostics, Affimers can be used to develop sensitive and specific assays for the detection of biomarkers associated with diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases.

In therapeutics, Affimers are being explored as potential alternatives to antibodies for the treatment of diseases. Their small size and stability make them attractive candidates for drug development, particularly in cases where traditional antibodies are not suitable.

Advantages over Antibodies

Comparison of Affimer and antibody structures

Affimers offer several advantages over traditional antibodies:

• Stability: Affimers are more stable than antibodies, which makes them suitable for use in harsh conditions where antibodies might denature.
• Production: Affimers can be produced in bacterial expression systems, which is more cost-effective and faster than the production of antibodies in mammalian cell culture.
• Size: The smaller size of Affimers allows them to penetrate tissues more easily, which can be advantageous in certain therapeutic applications.
• Engineering: The ability to engineer Affimers with specific properties allows for the development of highly tailored binding molecules.

Related pages

• Antibody
• Protein engineering
• Biotechnology
• Molecular biology