Agent skill

Binding Characterization

by adaptyvbio in adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills

Guidance for SPR and BLI binding characterization experiments.

MITAuto-check passedResearch & Science

Install Binding Characterization

skills CLI
$ npx skills add adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills --skill binding-characterization -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills binding-characterization --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/binding-characterization .claude/skills/binding-characterization && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Facts

Skill name
binding-characterization
GitHub stars
163
Used in
3 other repos
Token cost
~2.2k tokens
SKILL.md length
906 words
Files
1
Skills in repo
24
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

Guidance for SPR and BLI binding characterization experiments.

  • Works in 5 steps: Start with mildest condition (high salt) → Test 30s contact time → Verify complete dissociation (return to… → …
  • Planning binding kinetics experiments
  • SKILL.md covers SPR vs BLI Decision Matrix, Key differences, Troubleshooting: Why BLI works… and Mass transport considerations, plus 5 more sections
  • Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md

What it does

Binding Characterization is an agent skill from adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills. Guidance for SPR and BLI binding characterization experiments. Use when: (1) Planning binding kinetics experiments, (2) Troubleshooting poor/no binding signal, (3) Interpreting kinetic data artifacts, (4) Choosing between SPR vs BLI platforms.

Its SKILL.md is about 2.2k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. It is a single SKILL.md file with no bundled scripts.

It sits in Research & Science. The repository describes itself as: Claude Code skills for protein design. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

  • Planning binding kinetics experiments
  • Troubleshooting poor/no binding signal
  • Interpreting kinetic data artifacts
  • Choosing between SPR vs BLI platforms

Example prompts

  • “/binding-characterization”

Workflow steps

5 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.

  1. Start with mildest condition (high salt)
  2. Test 30s contact time
  3. Verify complete dissociation (return to baseline)
  4. Verify retained ligand activity (repeat binding)
  5. Use shortest effective contact time

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 59dd633. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

  • Tool permissions

    Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.

    From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.

  • Runs code

    No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md.

    From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.

  • Network

    Links to these hosts (documentation or services it may open):

    • nicoyalife.com
    • sprpages.nl
    • sartorius.hr
    • path.ox.ac.uk
    • dhvi.duke.edu
    • pubs.acs.org
    • pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

    From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.

  • Credentials

    Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.

    From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

Binding Characterization loads about 2.2k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 67 tokens; SKILL.md has 906 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~67
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~2.2k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check passed

The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills at commit 59dd633, republished under its MIT licence (© adaptyvbio). 906 words, ~2,224 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/binding-characterization/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).
name
binding-characterization
description
Guidance for SPR and BLI binding characterization experiments. Use when: (1) Planning binding kinetics experiments, (2) Troubleshooting poor/no binding signal, (3) Interpreting kinetic data artifacts, (4) Choosing between SPR vs BLI platforms.
license
MIT
category
experimental
tags
binding, spr, bli, validation

Binding Characterization: SPR and BLI

SPR vs BLI Decision Matrix

FactorChoose SPRChoose BLI
SensitivitySmall molecules, fragments (<500 Da)Large complexes, antibodies
ThroughputLow-medium (serial)High (96-well parallel)
Sample purityRequired (clogs fluidics)Tolerates crude lysates
Kinetic resolutionHigher (better for fast kinetics)Lower
Mass transportMore sensitive (may distort kon)Less sensitive
MaintenanceHigh (fluidics system)Low (dip-and-read)
Sample consumptionHigher (continuous flow)Lower
Cost per experimentLower chip cost, higher run costHigher tip cost, lower run cost

Key differences

SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance)
  • Mechanism: Detects refractive index changes at gold surface
  • Surface: Gold chip with dextran matrix (CM5, CM7, etc.)
  • Flow: Continuous microfluidics
  • Best for: Small molecules, high-affinity, precise kon/koff
BLI (Biolayer Interferometry)
  • Mechanism: Measures optical interference pattern shift
  • Surface: Fiber optic biosensor tips (SA, Ni-NTA, AHC)
  • Flow: Dip-and-read (no microfluidics)
  • Best for: High-throughput, crude samples, antibody screening

Troubleshooting: Why BLI works but SPR doesn't

CauseMechanismSolution
Hydrophobic CDRsAdsorb to SPR gold/dextran surfaceAdd 0.05% Tween-20, use CM7 chip with longer dextran
AggregationMass transport artifacts in SPR fluidicsFilter sample (0.22μm), reduce ligand density
High instabilityDegrades during continuous flowShorter cycle time, add stabilizers (trehalose 5%)
Charge mismatchNonspecific binding to charged dextranAdjust buffer pH ±1 from pI, add BSA 1mg/mL
Slow dissociationLong regeneration needed (damages ligand)Use BLI (disposable tips)
Why SPR works but BLI doesn't
CauseMechanismSolution
Small analyteBLI less sensitive for <10 kDaUse SPR with appropriate chip
Weak affinity (KD >10μM)Fast dissociation in BLI dipIncrease analyte concentration
Low expressionNot enough signalIncrease biosensor loading

Mass transport considerations

Mass transport limitation occurs when analyte cannot diffuse to the surface fast enough to maintain equilibrium. This distorts kinetic parameters.

Symptoms
  • Observed kon appears slower than true kon
  • Linear association phase (instead of exponential)
  • kon varies with ligand density
  • Rmax varies with flow rate
When mass transport matters
  • High-affinity interactions (kon >10^6 M^-1s^-1)
  • High ligand density (>500 RU)
  • Slow flow rates (<30 μL/min in SPR)
  • Large analytes (slow diffusion)
Mitigation strategies
StrategySPRBLI
Reduce ligand density<200 RU for high-affinity<0.5 nm shift loading
Increase flow rate50-100 μL/minIncrease shake speed (1000 rpm)
Use oriented immobilizationHis-tag captureBiotinylated ligand
Include in fittingMass transport model (kt)Usually less critical

Nonspecific binding mitigation

Buffer additives (ranked by effectiveness)
AdditiveConcentrationMechanismBest For
BSA0.5-1 mg/mLBlocks hydrophobic sitesGeneral use
Tween-200.02-0.05%Prevents surface adsorptionHydrophobic analytes
Trehalose1-5%Stabilizes + blocksUnstable proteins
Sucrose5%BLI-specific blockerBLI tips
Carboxymethyl dextran1 mg/mLCompetitive blockingSPR with charged proteins
NaCl150-500 mMReduces ionic interactionsCharged proteins
pH optimization
  • Keep buffer pH at least 1 unit away from analyte pI
  • pI near 7: Use pH 6.0 or 8.0 buffer
  • Acidic proteins (pI <5): Use neutral or basic buffer
  • Basic proteins (pI >9): Use slightly acidic buffer
Reference subtraction

Always include:

  • Blank reference channel (no ligand)
  • Buffer-only injections
  • Non-specific binding controls

Regeneration conditions

SPR regeneration scouting (try in order)
ConditionTargetsCaution
10 mM Glycine pH 2.0-2.5Most protein-proteinMay denature ligand
10 mM Glycine pH 1.5Strong interactionsHarsh, limit exposure
1-2 M NaClIonic interactionsMild, try first
10 mM NaOHVery stable ligandsCan hydrolyze proteins
10 mM Glycine pH 9-10Acid-stable proteinsCan aggregate
10 mM EDTAHis-tag, metal-dependentStrips Ni-NTA
4 M MgCl2Hydrophobic interactionsCheck ligand stability
Show full SKILL.md (344 more words)Show less
Regeneration protocol
  1. Start with mildest condition (high salt)
  2. Test 30s contact time
  3. Verify complete dissociation (return to baseline)
  4. Verify retained ligand activity (repeat binding)
  5. Use shortest effective contact time
BLI tips
  • Tips are often disposable (no regeneration needed)
  • For reuse: Same conditions as SPR, but shorter exposure
  • Anti-His tips: 10 mM Glycine pH 1.5, 30s
  • Streptavidin tips: Generally not regenerable

Common artifacts and solutions

Biphasic binding

Symptoms: Two-rate association or dissociation Causes:

  • Sample heterogeneity (aggregates)
  • Ligand heterogeneity (multiple conformations)
  • Avidity effects (bivalent analyte)

Solutions:

  • Filter/centrifuge sample
  • Use monovalent Fab fragments
  • Reduce ligand density
  • Fit to heterogeneous model
Negative dissociation

Symptoms: Signal increases during dissociation phase Causes:

  • Ligand leaching from surface
  • Analyte aggregation on surface
  • Reference channel drift

Solutions:

  • Use capture antibody instead of direct immobilization
  • Increase buffer stringency
  • Better reference subtraction
Hook effect

Symptoms: Signal decreases at high analyte concentrations Causes:

  • Surface saturation + rebinding suppression
  • Crowding effects

Solutions:

  • Reduce analyte concentration range
  • Reduce ligand density
  • Use smaller analyte fragments

Kinetic data quality checklist

Before analysis
  • Reference-subtracted properly
  • Buffer injection shows flat baseline
  • Rmax consistent across concentrations
  • No systematic drift during association
  • Complete regeneration (return to baseline)
  • Duplicate/triplicate injections consistent
Fitting quality
  • Residuals randomly distributed (no systematic deviation)
  • Chi² < 10% of Rmax (or < 1 RU² for low signals)
  • kon and koff errors < 20% of values
  • KD from kinetics matches equilibrium KD (within 3-fold)
  • Fitted Rmax reasonable (close to theoretical)
Red flags
  • kon approaching the mass transport limit (>10^7 M^-1s^-1), where rates are unreliable
  • koff too fast to sample (> 0.1 s^-1) or too slow to measure in the dissociation window (< 10^-5 s^-1)
  • Rmax >> theoretical maximum (aggregation or avidity)
  • Large difference between kinetic and equilibrium KD

References

Platform comparisons
SPR protocols
Troubleshooting
Regeneration
Mass transport

© adaptyvbio, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file

Files

Just SKILL.md in skills/binding-characterization of adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills.

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 59dd633

Used in 3 other repositories

We found 3 copies of this SKILL.md (exact, near-identical or edited) in other folders, from 3 other GitHub owners. This page covers the copy in adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills, which our catalogue first saw on October 7, 2026.

Compare with similar skills

Binding Characterization next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.

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GitHub Deep Researchbytedance/deer-flow83k5 repos~1.3kAutomated safety check: PassMIT
Nature Paper CardYuan1z0825/nature-skills46k2 repos~2.1kAutomated safety check: PassApache-2.0
Read arXiv Paperkarpathy/nanochat58k2 repos~494Automated safety check: PassMIT
Content Research Writerweapp-tailwindcss/weapp-tailwindcss1.9k25 repos~3.5kAutomated safety check: PassMIT

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Questions about Binding Characterization

What does Binding Characterization do?

Guidance for SPR and BLI binding characterization experiments. Binding Characterization is an agent skill from adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills. Guidance for SPR and BLI binding characterization experiments.

When should I use Binding Characterization?

Binding Characterization fits situations like: planning binding kinetics experiments; troubleshooting poor/no binding signal; interpreting kinetic data artifacts; choosing between SPR vs BLI platforms.

How do I install Binding Characterization in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills --skill binding-characterization -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/binding-characterization in adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills) into .claude/skills/binding-characterization in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Binding Characterization in Codex?

Run `npx skills add adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills --skill binding-characterization -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/binding-characterization in adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills) into .agents/skills/binding-characterization in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Binding Characterization in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills --skill binding-characterization -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/binding-characterization, .gemini/skills/binding-characterization, .github/skills/binding-characterization and .opencode/skills/binding-characterization in your project.

What does Binding Characterization need to run?

SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Binding Characterization is instructions for the agent only.

Does Binding Characterization access the network?

SKILL.md names 7 domains. As links in the text: nicoyalife.com, sprpages.nl, sartorius.hr, path.ox.ac.uk, dhvi.duke.edu, pubs.acs.org and pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Binding Characterization safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.

What licence does Binding Characterization use?

Binding Characterization is published under the MIT licence (declared in SKILL.md). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Binding Characterization use?

About 2.2k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 8.9k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.

What are the alternatives to Binding Characterization?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Binding Characterization: Hypothesis Generation (spacering-net/codeg, 3.8k stars), GitHub Deep Research (bytedance/deer-flow, 83k stars), Nature Paper Card (Yuan1z0825/nature-skills, 46k stars) and Read arXiv Paper (karpathy/nanochat, 58k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Binding Characterization?

adaptyvbio (a GitHub organization) maintains it in adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills, which has 163 GitHub stars. The repository holds 24 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on June 11, 2026.

Source: adaptyvbio/protein-design-skills on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.