Biochemistry Questions Biochemistry Questions / Explain the process of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and how it is used to determine drug binding relationships. Discuss its limitations in representing real-world binding interactions.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is an assay technique where the target molecule is immobilised on a slide. Light is refracted off the slide, and the refraction angle recorded. The drug molecule is washed over the slide and light refracted again. The change in refraction angle can be used to determine the molecular weight of the drug, and the change that has occurred.

This process is frequently used in pharmaceutical drug-binding assays, but does not always represent the real-world.