Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) Technology

Conventional Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) uses a real-time PCR instrument to monitor thermally induced protein denaturation by measuring changes in fluorescence of a dye that binds preferentially to unfolded protein. This allows the determination of protein thermostability and complex formation even with weakly binding ligands by thermal shift assay. Differential Scanning Fluorimetry is therefore ideally suited for screening of optimum buffer conditions like pH, buffer composition and ionic strength. The technique is applicable to any biological sample, from soluble proteins to integral membrane proteins. This method is used to identify low-molecular-weight ligands that bind and stabilize purified proteins, and to measure the denaturation and unfolding of proteins.