Dynamic light scattering (DLS) instrument proves popular for biomolecular discovery, protein-protein interactions, protein conformation analysis and measuring lipids and conjugates
Viscotek has reported widespread positive feedback from the first wave of users of its state-of-the-art dynamic light scattering (DLS) instrument for biomolecular characterisation - the model 802 DLS.
Targeted at applications including biomolecular discovery, development and delivery, protein-protein interactions, protein conformation analysis and measuring the stability and size of lipids and conjugates - worldwide sales of the model 802 have exceeded expectations in the six months since its launch.
"The Viscotek 802 DLS provides us with an ideal tool to screen protein constructs for crystallisation" said Dietmar Manstein of the Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
"The compact size of the instrument, the ease of use, and the fast sample turnover facilitate the rapid screening of suitable buffer conditions - the model 802 is now used for initial screens traditionally performed by analytical centrifugation in our laboratory.
"It allows us to identify the complexes with some potential for structural studies much more rapidly and from a wider set of conditions.
"Therefore, we can now use the analytical centrifuge much more efficiently to further characterise only the most promising complexes".
The Advanced Drug Delivery group at Nottingham University (UK) has a strong focus in developing colloidal and nanoparticulate drug delivery systems, so characterisation of the particles is an essential and routine step in its work.
Increasingly other groups within the School of Pharmacy have also shown interest in measuring nanoparticulates.
Martin Garnett of the Advanced Drug Delivery Group commented: "The Viscotek 802 appealed to us because it has a small bench footprint, so it was easy to fit in our lab to expand our capacity to measure a wide range of particle sizes.
"The machine is easy to use and robust, so it can be used by a range of people without too much training or supervision.
"We have found it to be as accurate to use and quicker than our older instrument.
"One of the most useful features however, is the low sample volume.
"As some of our routine work involves many measurements using expensive components, the ability to measure particle sizes on 50 or 12 microlitre volumes is a welcome feature".
Reflecting upon the early success of the 802, Ken Cunningham, DLS design and development manager, commented: "For laboratories that require a complete understanding of how proteins and other biomolecules function in solution the model 802 DLS provides superior sensitivity and accuracy than any other instrument currently available.
"These performance advantages are born out of Viscotek's exclusive single mode fibre (SMF) technology and a team with more than 15 years experience of design, production and support of dynamic light scattering instrumentation and software".
Comprising state-of-the-art instrument matched to a user-friendly software system the model 802 DLS requires only a small volume of recoverable sample (10ul).
The sample is introduced into the sample cell that is placed in a temperature controlled cell holder.
The software-controlled instrument then makes the measurement and the results are displayed in seconds.
A complete analysis from start to finish can be accomplished in minutes.
Founded in 1985, Viscotek describes itself as a global leader in gel permeation chromatography (GPC)/size exclusion chromatography (SEC) detectors, software and systems for the characterisation of natural and synthetic polymers, copolymers, proteins, protein conjugates, aggregates and excipients.
