Biacore Data Analysis — Free Online Alternative

⚠️ Bulk Refractive Index Shifts

A sudden jump in response at the start of injection, followed by an equally sudden drop at the end, indicates a bulk refractive index difference between the running buffer and the sample buffer. This is common when analytes are prepared in a slightly different buffer than the running buffer.

Solution: Ensure buffer matching between analyte dilutions and running buffer. Use reference subtraction (Fc2-1) and blank subtraction (0 nM concentration) to remove bulk effects. KinetiHub's reference subtraction handles this automatically when properly formatted data is provided.

⚠️ Reference Channel Artifacts

The reference flow cell (typically Fc1) should show minimal response. If you see significant binding on the reference, it may indicate non-specific binding to the dextran matrix or incomplete blocking. Large reference responses can distort subtracted data.

Solution: Check your immobilization — consider ethanolamine blocking, switching to a lower-capacity chip (CM3 or CM4), or using a different reference surface. Always inspect reference sensorgrams before proceeding with kinetic fitting.

⚠️ Dip in Baseline at Injection Start

A brief negative dip at the beginning of injection (lasting 1–3 seconds) is a common artifact caused by the air segment between buffer and sample in the Biacore flow system. This is normal and does not affect kinetic analysis.

Solution: Exclude the first few seconds of the association phase from fitting. In KinetiHub, adjust the association start time to skip the injection artifact. This is standard practice and does not compromise data quality.

⚠️ Incomplete Regeneration

If the baseline drifts upward between cycles, regeneration is incomplete — residual analyte remains on the surface. This leads to progressively lower binding capacity and distorted kinetics.

Solution: Optimize regeneration conditions (pH, salt, surfactant). Check that the baseline returns to within 5–10% of the starting value after each cycle. Consider using a capture-based format (e.g., anti-Fc capture of antibodies) where the entire surface is regenerated each cycle.

Can I analyze Biacore data online?

Yes. KinetiHub runs entirely in your web browser — no installation, no license key, no Windows dependency. Export your Biacore sensorgrams as tab-delimited text, upload to KinetiHub, and perform kinetic fitting with the same models available in BIAevaluation. Your data stays private unless you choose to share it to the public database.

What format should I export?

Export as tab-delimited text (.txt) from BIAevaluation or Biacore Insight. Include reference-subtracted data (e.g., Fc2-1) and concentration labels. KinetiHub auto-detects the format and extracts concentrations from column headers. If using Biacore Insight, the "Export Sensorgrams" option produces a compatible file.

Is KinetiHub compatible with Biacore 8K?

We're actively testing Biacore 8K and 8K+ tab-delimited exports. The 8-needle parallel format should parse correctly in most cases. If you hit any issues, upload your data anyway — we'll prioritize adding support for your specific export configuration.

How does KinetiHub compare to BIAevaluation?

KinetiHub provides core kinetic fitting capabilities comparable to BIAevaluation — 1:1 binding models, steady-state affinity analysis, and quality-of-fit metrics. The key differences: KinetiHub is free, runs on any platform, supports multiple instrument types (not just Biacore), and enables data sharing. BIAevaluation offers deeper integration with Biacore instrument control and additional specialized models. They complement each other well.