LigandTracer
Learn how your ligand binds to live cells with LigandTracer
LigandTracer® monitors molecular interactions in real-time, right on your lab bench, with only a few preparatory steps and limited input. The most common target is a cellular receptor expressed on the surface of living cells, but almost any interaction can be monitored as long as:
- You can label your ligand of interest
- Targets can be attached to a Petri dish
- The interaction occurs within minutes to hours
For more examples, visit Applications.
Instrument details
LigandTracer monitors interactions as they happen; detecting interaction properties that can easily be missed by using established endpoint methods such as ELISA. Data points are taken automatically at set intervals, allowing you to obtain in-depth information about the interaction that you’re studying.
Available models
The different LigandTracer models are separated by the type of label they can detect. Most applications can be performed on any of the available models but there are a few exceptions. The color indications in the upper right corner of each application represent the instrument models that are suitable.
See details for LigandTracer Green, Yellow, Grey and White below.
Do you also want to discover the power of cell based binding analysis? Contact us for a quote today!
Key features
- Estimate the affinity and kinetics of interactions with living cells
- Use regular "100 mm" Petri dishes of any brand (Ø:87-89 mm and h: 15-18 mm without the lid)
- Measure at room temperature, in incubators, or in cold rooms
- Plan your run and store relevant information with our intuitive control software
- Estimate interaction parameters with our versatile evaluation tool TraceDrawer
- Quickly advance your knowledge with LigandTracer Learning
Green
LigandTracer Green
Detects fluorescence. Seven interchangeable detectors available:
- BlueGreen: 488 nm – 535 nm (ex/em), e.g. FITC and Alexa Fluor™ 488
- BlueLime: 488 nm – 575 nm (ex/em), e.g. PE
- GreenOrange: 535 nm – 589 nm (ex/em), e.g Cy3 and Atto Rho6G
- OrangeRed: 589 nm – 632 nm (ex/em), e.g. Texas Red and Atto 590
- RedNIR: 632 nm – 676 nm (ex/em), e.g. Alexa Fluor™ 633 and Atto 647
- RedNIR+: 632 nm – 700 nm (ex/em), e.g. Alexa Fluor™ 680, IRDye® 680 and fluorophores suitable for RedNIR (632 nm/ 676 nm)
- NIR++IR: 740 nm – 810 nm (ex/em), e.g. Alexa Fluor™ 790 and IRDye® 800CW
LigandTracer Green is compatible with LigandTracer MultiDish 2×2, which allows you to run two separate experiments at identical conditions in parallel.
Size: 0.2×0.25×0.4 m (w×h×d)
Detector: Interchangeable LED-based fluorescence detector
Publication Examples
Real-time characterization of antibody binding to receptors on living immune cells
Bondza S, Foy E, Brooks J, Andersson K, Robinson J, Richalet P, Buijs J.
Front Immunol. 2017, 8:455
Summary
PubMed
Live Cells versus Fixated Cells: Kinetic Measurements of Biomolecular Interactions with the LigandTracer Method and Surface Plasmon Resonance Microscopy
Dong T, Han C, Liu X, Wang Z, Wang Y, Kang Q, Wang P, Zhou F.
Mol Pharmaceutics. 2023, 20(4):2094-2104
Summary
PubMed
For all publications with LigandTracer Green, click here
Yellow
LigandTracer Yellow
LigandTracer Yellow is equipped with a scintillator-based detector for high energy ɣ-photons (~0.1 – 1.5 MeV) and is suitable for detection of all radionuclides used in PET/SPECT imaging.
The following radionuclides have successfully been used for LigandTracer Yellow assays: 11C, 18F, 51Cr, 57Co, 64Cu, 67Ga, 68Ga, 89Zr, 90Y, 99mTc, 111In, 131I, 155Tb, 177Lu, 188Re, 212Pb and 223Ra.
Size: 0.2×0.2×0.4 m (w×h×d)
Detector: High energy ɣ scintillator-based detector
Publication Examples
Design and Biological Evaluation of Small-Molecule PET-Tracers for Imaging of Programmed Death Ligand 1
Krutzek F, Donat CK, Ullrich M, Zarschler K, Ludik MC, Feldmann A, Loureiro LR, Kopka K, Stadlbauer S.
Cancers (Basel) 2023, 15(9):2638
Summary
PubMed
Evaluation of an Affibody-Based Binder for Imaging of Immune Check-Point Molecule B7-H3
Oroujeni M, Bezverkhniaia E.A, Xu T, Liu Y, Plotnikov E.V, Karlberg I, Ryer E, Orlova A, Tolmachev V, Frejd, F.Y.
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(9):1780
Summary
PubMed
For all publications with LigandTracer Yellow, click here
Grey
LigandTracer Grey
LigandTracer Grey detects low energy photons (ɣ and X-rays) and high energy particles (β+/-). It is ideal for screening small libraries of ¹²⁵I-labeled ligands and for detailed binding characterization of radiopharmaceuticals intended for PET imaging or therapeutic applications.
The following radionuclides have successfully been used for LigandTracer Grey assays: 18F, 57Co, 68Ga, 89Zr, 109Cd, 111In, 125I, 131I,161Tb, 177Lu, 212Pb and 225Ac.
Size: 0.2×0.2×0.4 m (w×h×d)
Detector: Solid state ɣ and X-ray detector
Publication Examples
Affinity maturation and optimization of CD44v6-targeting antibodies for molecular radiotherapy
Mortensen ACL, Hofström C, Persson H, Dahllund L, Frejd FY, Nestor M.
Nucl Med Biol. 2025 144-145:109012
Summary
PubMed
Multivalent design of the monoclonal SynO2 antibody improves binding strength to soluble α-Synuclein aggregates
Petersen I, Ali MI, Petrovic A, Ytterberg AJ, Staxäng K, Hodik M, Rofo F, Bondza S, Hultqvist G.
MAbs. 2023, 15(1):2256668
Summary
PubMed
For all publications with LigandTracer Grey, click here
White
LigandTracer White
LigandTracer White detects β–, β+ particles (40 keV and higher). It is ideal for screening small libraries of 14C-labeled ligands and for detailed binding characterization of radiopharmaceuticals intended for PET imaging or therapeutic applications.
The following radionuclides were successfully used for LigandTracer White assays: 11C/14C, 18F, 32P/33P, 35S, 64Cu, 68Ga, 89Zr,111In, 124I, 161Tb, 177Lu, 188Re, 223Ra and 225Ac.
Size: 0.2×0.2×0.4 m (w×h×d)
Detector: Solid state electron/positron (β-/+) detector
Publication Examples
Experimental Therapy of HER2-Expressing Xenografts Using the Second-Generation HER2-Targeting Affibody Molecule 188Re-ZHER2:41071
Liu Y, Vorobyeva A, Orlova A, Konijnenberg MW, Xu T, Bragina O, Loftenius A, Rosander E, Frejd FY, Tolmachev V.
Pharmaceutics. 2022, 14(5):1092
Summary
PubMed
Gene’s expression underpinning the divergent predictive value of [18F]F-fluorodeoxyglucose and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography in primary prostate cancer: a bioinformatic and experimental study
Bauckneht M, Marini C, Cossu V, Campi C, Riondato M, Bruno S, Orengo AM, Vitale F, Carta S, Chiola S, Chiesa S, Miceli A, D’Amico F, Fornarini G, Terrone C, Piana M, Morbelli S, Signori A, Barbor P, Sambuceti G.
J Transl Med. 2023, 21(1):3
Summary
PubMed
For all publications with LigandTracer White, click here
Resources
Resources
Publications
Publications
Scientists all over the world include LigandTracer as an essential part of their scientific research. Below are two reference papers for the LigandTracer technology. Please refer to our library of Publications for all other examples of when LigandTracer have been used.
Real-time characterization of antibody binding to receptors on living immune cells.
Bondza S, Foy E, Brooks J, Andersson K, Robinson J, Richalet P, Buijs J.
Front. Immunol. 2017. 8(455).
PubMed
Automated, high-resolution cellular retention and uptake studies in vitro.
Björke H, Andersson K.
Appl Radiat Isot. 2006. 64(8):901-905.
PubMed
