An Introduction to Bioconjugation: Answering Your Questions

You may also want to make sure that your biomolecules are within the appropriate concentration range — use too little and you might not get appropriate labeling, use too much and you might have issues with solubility. Another consideration would be volume. Don’t use very small amounts because you might lose the material when you go through a purification step at the end when you remove unincorporated label. The opposite scenario, using too much material, might be problematic as well as it will reduce labeling efficiency. With HyNic and 4FB linkages, there are checkpoints during the bioconjugation methodology where you check the molar substitution ratio (MSR). These checkpoints enable you to assess how much HyNic and 4FB is attached to your molecules to ensure you have an appropriate MSR before you move forward with your bioconjugation reaction. You can then use the hydrazone bond or chromophore to both confirm the conjugation has occurred and quantify the amount. If you’re working with precious materials, this will give you the confidence to proceed.

What is the difference between the protein-oligo conjugation kit and the antibody-oligo kit?

These are different kits designed for each of these applications. The antibody kits have highly stringent steps in terms of purification, and include a purification step to clean up the labeled antibody. Antibodies are typically around 150 to 160 kD in size, therefore, an affinity resin is included in the antibody:oligo kit that binds to all mammalian IgG isotypes, ensuring that the conjugate is highly purified. With protein, there is often more variability in size, and one purification step may not fit all. Instead, your purification process will depend on the molecular weight of the protein you’re working with. I’d recommend looking at the protocols for each of these kits to better understand the parameters for consideration.

Why should I choose SoluLINK^® over other bioconjugation kits?

There are other methodologies for bioconjugation that were touched on during the webinar. SoluLINK chemistry, based on HyNic and 4FB, includes checkpoints, such as molar substitution ratio, as well as a hydrazone chromophore that allows you to do a quick UV scan to quantify that your conjugation was successful. This is invaluable for investigators who want consistency, reliability, and reproducibility. Some other kits on the market may have a shorter protocol, but there’s no cleanup step, so you can be left with residual material. If you’re working with particularly precious material or you need highly reproducible results, this purification step can be critical. Without it, you can run into problems with background, inconsistency, and poor labeling efficiency.

I’m interested in small interfering RNA (siRNA) antibody conjugates. Can you elaborate on this application and how you can remove excess siRNA?

Some investigators working with siRNA are trying to increase its longevity once injected. It can be cleared pretty quickly by either the kidneys or liver. The idea is to apply conjugation to a given target protein, so it can then be incorporated into target cells where it can perform its role of breaking down in a complementary RNA. Some researchers are looking at things called protein cages that actively protect siRNA and allow substantial amounts to get incorporated into the cell at the place of entry. For this application, you would need to follow the same methodologies as per the protein-oligonucleotide kit in terms of cleanup.

Watch the entire on-demand webinar for more information on bioconjugation, including case studies demonstrating how bioconjugation is being used to push the frontiers of both medicine and science, as well as an overview of the SoluLINK chemistry and Bioconjugation portfolio from Vector Laboratories. And be sure to check out our Bioconjugation Resource Guide to help you get started.