Biotechnology Industry - Particle Characterization

Biotechnology requires the use of a wide range of analytical techniques for rapid and accurate particle characterization. Light scattering techniques can be used to measure particle size, zeta potential (charge) and molecular weight.

	Particle Size Characterization Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) is a non-invasive method for measuring the size of molecules and particle dispersions. In biotechnology applications, samples may be available in small quantities and at low concentrations. The Zetasizer Nano system incorporates non-invasive backscatter (NIBS) optics, which provides the exceptional sensitivity required for measuring the size of small proteins at low concentrations. In addition to proteins, much work has been carried out sizing viruses, antibodies, liposomes, micelles, micro emulsions and complex carbohydrates such as mucins.
	Zeta Potential Measurements The charge on biomolecules and particles can provide important information about their structure and dispersion stability. The Zetasizer Nano series of instruments can provide information on the particle charge. This might be the determination of the isoelectric point of a protein (with the help of the Malvern MPT-2 autotitrator) or even the investigation of protein – polysaccharide complexes. The charge on a protein can reveal a great deal about the conformation of the molecule – whether the protein is in a globular state or whether it has unfolded (for example, at an interface when measuring a protein stabilized emulsion).
	Molecular Weight Determination The absolute molecular weight of a protein or polymer can be obtained from static light scattering techniques using a Zetasizer Nano instrument. The measurement also provides the second virial coefficient (A2), which is a property that describes the interaction strength between the molecule and the solvent and can be correlated with molecule solubility.

In this section

	Biotechnology Industry Overview Biotechnology is the application of science and engineering to living organisms, such as cells or bacteria to make or change chemical compounds (for example, proteins or genes). Biotechnological techniques are being used in a wide variety of application areas such as pharmaceutics, medicine, agriculture and food processing for: Creating new products Improving existing products Improving processes
	Biotechnology Industry Concerns Biotechnology companies are faced with faster development cycles than ever. This requires organisation and resource planning in every research and development stage in parallel. While drug development has benefited from advances in biotechnology there is still significant work involved to produce a commercial product. Of particular concern are controlled release / drug delivery mechanisms, screening for quality control and improvement, process improvements and shelf life through formulation stability.
	Malvern analyzers for biotechnology Malvern Instruments manufactures the finest particle characterization analyzer available in the field. Highest sensitivity combined with the flexibility to measure in a wide range of cuvettes leaves hardly anything to be desired. The Zetasizer Nano is Malvern’s solution to fast, flexible and accurate particle sizing and zeta potential determinations.