Malvern Instruments to Showcase New Analytical Tools for Proteins and Particles at Forum Labo

At Forum Labo & Biotech (4-7 June 2013, Paris, France) Malvern Instruments will exhibit the latest materials and biophysical characterization technology and instrumentation, including Archimedes, the new Zetasizer Nano ZSP and an extended range of sample dispersion accessories for the Mastersizer 3000. In addition to participating in the exposition, the company is also running a half-day user training course on particle size measurement by laser diffraction and size of nanoparticles by dynamic light scattering, which is free of charge to Forum Labo attendees.

Among the exciting additions on the Malvern booth this year is Archimedes, developed and designed by Affinity Biosensors and MIT in the USA, and now part of Malvern’s rapidly growing portfolio of analytical tools for biopharmaceutical applications, and entered for an innovation award at the show. Archimedes uses resonant mass measurement to detect and count particles in the size range 50 nm to 5 µm, and to measure particle mass and size. It is especially useful for characterizing protein aggregates in formulation or buffer and is uniquely positioned to quantitatively measure protein aggregates from 100 nm – 1 µm, the size range highlighted as of particular concern for immunogenicity and product safety in protein therapeutics.

Launched in September 2012, the new Zetasizer Nano ZSP has added unique protein measurement and novel microrheology capabilities to this established and market-leading range of dynamic light scattering (DLS) systems. Like other systems in the Zetasizer range, the Zetasizer Nano ZSP is a single, compact unit, but has unique performance specifications for both size and zeta potential measurement. One of the most significant new applications is the measurement of the zeta potential, or more precisely electrophoretic mobility, of proteins. A protein mobility measurement package is included with the Zetasizer Nano ZSP instrument as standard. As well as the suite of new protein-specific features, the Zetasizer software enables a brand new type of measurement on the instrument – microrheology. This DLS-based optical technique allows rheological characterization of weakly-structured and highly strain-sensitive materials using only microliter sample volumes. Amongst its applications are measuring the viscosity of polymer and protein solutions and determining the onset of protein aggregation.

No show would be complete without the Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction particle size analyzer, which is on display together with the latest sample dispersion accessories, the Hydro SM and Hydro EV. The Hydro SM is a cost effective wet sample dispersion unit designed for measuring samples in non-aqueous dispersants where solvent usage needs to be minimized. The Hydro EV is a unique dip-in wet sample dispersion unit that can be used with standard laboratory glassware and is suitable for a wide variety of dispersant volumes and particle size ranges.

Visit Malvern’s team of specialists on Stand B90 at Forum Labo.