Differential scanning calorimeter VP-DSC (VP-DSC)

CONTACT US

Guarantor: Josef Houser, Ph.D.
Technology / Methodology: Interakce a charakterizace biomolekul
Instrument status: Operational Operational, 1.7.2019 13:30
Equipment placement: Masarykova univerzita, UKB
Research group: CF: Biomolecular Interactions and Crystallography Core Facility


Description:

VP-DSC is differential scanning microcalorimeter with 500 ul volume of sample cell. DSC technique measures heat changes that occur in the (bio)molecule sample solution during a controlled increase or decrease in temperature, on the basis of a temperature difference between the sample and the reference material. It is a valuable technique for the study of stability of samples in solution, technique providing fast and accurate determination of the transition midpoint Tm – when 50% of the biomolecules are unfolded. In addition, a complete thermodynamic profile is generated to understand the factors that affect conformation and stability - enthalpy (ΔH) of unfolding due to heat denaturation, also the change in heat capacity (ΔCp) of denaturation can be determined. DSC is a sensitive, easy-to-use technique that requires no assay development, labelling or immobilization. Filling of the cell is crucial for the accuracy. The operating temperature range is of -10°C to 130°C. Scanrates fall in the range of 0°C/hr to 90°C/hr in the upscan mode and 0°C/hr to -60°C/hr in the downscan mode. Experiment at constant temperature (Isoscan) for shelf life studies or evaluating of the compound stability is also possible.
The measurement at VP-DSC is supposed to be performed by user itself after the training.