High performance particle sizer uses dynamic rather than static light scattering to dramatically cut time in determining the structure of proteins
Malvern Instruments's HPPS (high performance particle sizer) can be used to dramatically speed up experiments to determine the structure of proteins.
By using dynamic light scattering (DLS), as opposed to the industry standard of static light scattering, the HPPS helps researchers establish which combination of proteins and reagents will yield large single protein crystals. These are essential to enable X-ray crystallographers to determine the molecular structure of the protein.
In order to make large single crystals of proteins, researchers are faced with the need to combine their chosen protein with a plethora of different reagents in order to find a combination that yields a high quality crystal.
DLS enables them to determine within two minutes if it is likely to yield crystals.
This enables researchers to make informed decisions about the types of combination strategies to pursue and is much quicker than using static light scattering which can take up to 80 minutes to perform a measurement.
Since the scattering intensity is proportional to the particle molecular weight, DLS is very sensitive to aggregation and large impurities, even at low concentrations.
As such, the technique is ideally suited for identifying samples that are unlikely to yield high-quality crystals due to the presence of impurities or non-specific aggregates.
The HPPS was specifically designed to meet the low concentration measurement requirements and sample volumes typically associated with protein applications, along with the high concentration requirements for colloidal applications. Satisfying this unique mix of requirements has been accomplished via the integration of a backscatter optical design, and as a consequence of this design, the HPPS specifications for sample size, concentration and volume exceed those for any other commercially available DLS instrument.
The HPPS hardware is self-optimising and the software includes a unique 'one click' measure, analyse, and report feature designed to minimise the new user's learning curve.
The HPPS will be on show at International Biotech 2002 (ExCel, London,UK 19-20 November 2002) on stand A058
