Wyatt Technology’s Calypso GC-MALS System Provides Fast and Accurate Measurements of Biomolecular Interactions

(SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA - September 02 2011) - Wyatt Technology Corporation, the world leader in absolute macromolecular characterization instrumentation and software, today announced that its Calypso Composition-Gradient Multi-Angle Light Scattering (CG-MALS) system achieves accurate measurements of biomolecular interactions. The Calypso offers the unique capability of determining both the affinity and binding stoichiometry for macromolecules in solution with no need for immobilization or tagging, which may influence the interaction. This is demonstrated in a new application note, titled “Measuring Antibody-Antigen Interactions with the Calypso”, which is available to download free-of-charge via http://www.wyatt.com/files/literature/Calypso-Measuring_Antibody-Antigen_Interactions.pdf

Wyatt Technology’s FFF-MALS Provides Efficient Liposome Characterization

(SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – (August 18 2011) - Wyatt Technology Corporation, the world leader in instrumentation for absolute macromolecular characterization and software, announces that its field flow fractionation (FFF) technology combined with multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) enables rapid measurements of particle size, size distribution, particle count, as well as structure. The combined system performs the most difficult sizing tasks in key areas of research and development in molecular biology and nanotechnology analyses, including the separation and characterization of liposomes and nanoparticles. This novel technology is illustrated in a new application note, titled “Liposome Characterization by FFF-MALS-QELS”, which is available to download free-of charge via http://www.wyatt.com/files/literature/Field_Flow_Fractionation-Liposome_Characterization.pdf.

Liposomes are made of lipid bilayers. The size of a liposome ranges from some 20 nm up to several micrometers and may be composed of one or several concentric membranes. Liposomes possess unique properties owing to the amphiphilic character of the lipids, which make them suitable for drug delivery. Liposomes have attracted considerable attention as potential vehicles for drug delivery to selected cells or tissues in vivo. Therefore, it is of great importance to monitor liposome size and encapsulation during liposome research, formulation, manufacturing and quality control. However, conventional methods to characterize liposomes fail to perform efficiently and to cover the whole size of liposomes.

In this new application note, a method combining the Wyatt Technology Eclipse FFF system with a DAWN HELEOS and online QELS was used to analyze two liposome samples, one empty, and one filled. The results demonstrated that the combined method is capable of determining the degrees of encapsulation and the internal structures of the two liposomes without making assumptions.

The FFF system offers a number of distinct advantages over column separation techniques for many applications. The method is robust and easy to use, involving minimal shearing and enabling a broad separation range, from small proteins (nm) to large particles (µm). FFF is a non-destructive technique that achieves true particle size distribution and on-line absolute characterization of a wide range of solutions and dispersions. Combined with MALS detectors, the method can determine the absolute size and molar mass distributions as well as the structure and conformation of the particles.

For more information on Wyatt Technology’s instruments or to obtain a copy of the new application note, please visit http://www.wyatt.com/ or email info@wyatt.com.

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About Wyatt
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Wyatt Technology is the world’s leading provider of instruments for absolute macromolecular characterization. With over 40 years’ experience developing multi-angle light scattering detectors, working with customers in the biotechnology, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, academic and government arenas, Wyatt prides itself on its entrepreneurial spirit, and the uniqueness of its offerings. The Company’s groundbreaking technology and uncompromising levels of customer care make Wyatt the global hallmark in its field. For more information, please visit www.wyatt.com

For further press information please contact: Laura Browne, The Scott Partnership, 1, Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8AA, United Kingdom Tel: + 44 1477 539539 Fax: +44 1477 539540 email to:wyatt@scottpr.com

Wyatt Technology’s Möbius Mobility Instrument Facilitates Protein Net Charge Computation at Low Concentrations

(SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – July 5 2011) - Wyatt Technology Corporation, the world leader in instrumentation for absolute macromolecular characterization and software, announces that its Möbius electrophoretic mobility instrument can measure precise protein charges. The innovative optical design of the Möbius boosts the sensitivity of mobility measurements, enabling protein net charge characterization at much lower concentrations than previously possible. This unique capability is illustrated in a new application note, titled “Möbius Computation of Protein Net Charge from Electrophoretic Mobility”, which is available to download free-of-charge via http://www.wyatt.com/literature/application-notes/mobius.html.

Protein molecules carry charges that are influenced by their environment, amino acid sequence, ionic strength and the aqueous solvent pH in which they are dissolved. The net charge carried by protein molecules is of enormous scientific interest since it affects the behavior of the molecules. As the ionic strength of the solution increases, for example, more counter ions are present in the vicinity of the protein molecules and the mobility generally decreases due to the electrophoretic effect. However, measuring protein charge has been a challenging task for conventional phase analysis light scattering (PALS) instruments that can only provide measurements at high concentrations and at high voltages. In addition, undesirable interactions can often occur, such as that between the proteins and the capillary walls, which diminish the reliability of results.

Wyatt Technology MALS Fulfils Latest European Pharmacopoeia Standard for HES Characterization

(SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – June 24 2011) - Wyatt Technology Corporation, the world leader in instrumentation for absolute macromolecular characterization, announces that its Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) instruments represent the latest European Pharmacopoeia (EP) requirements for hydroxyethyl starch (HES) characterization.

The European Pharmacopoeia is a single reference work developed by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM). The official standards published within it provide a legal and scientific basis for quality control for all producers of medicines and/or substances for pharmaceutical use. A new publication within the EP specifically indicates that MALS instrumentation is the standard for characterizing HES.