Applications Virus Quantification using Spectradyne’s nCS2TM and ARCTM
We’ve used the ARC to quantitatively measure the fluorescent labeling of adenovirus, using the ARCTM particle analyzer. These measurements were performed in a complex heterogenous sample, as described below.
The figure shows simultaneous particle sizing using MRPS and quantitative measurements of fluorescence, measurements made of EVs and adenovirus both together and in isolation. These data, which are discussed in more detail in this application note, demonstrate that the ARC quantitatively measures nanoparticle size, concentration, and internal payload fluorescence for virus and nanomedicine applications, and accurately analyzes fluorescent subpopulations, even in complex, heterogeneous samples.
Accurate Viral Titer in Minutes
Conventional methods for quantifying virus such as live biological titer can take days to return results. The modern fast pace of research and current examples such as COVID-19 necessitate faster measurements. Researchers in many areas of virus research including basic virology, gene therapy, and epidemiology are looking for more modern approaches for measuring virus.
Spectradyne’s nCS1TM and the fluorescent-detecting ARCTM deliver accurate viral particle counts in just a few minutes using microfluidic resistive pulse sensing (MRPSTM), which in the ARC is coupling with particle-by-particle fluorescence detection. The technology is fast, easy to adopt and employs disposable microfluidic cartridges for analysis — and it only requires a few microliters of your precious sample for analysis.
nCS2TM key features for virus quantification:
Total virus particle count in minutes
Disposable analysis cartridges — no laborious cleaning
Only uses 3 microliters sample required
The ARCTM adds individual particle fluorescence, with fluorescence quantified using NIST-traceable standards.
How big is your virus?
Virus come in a large range of different sizes and shapes. Some, such as the hepatitis and parvovirus, are roughly spherical and less than 50nm in diameter; some, such as the virus that causes Ebola, are long flexible cylinders with lengths as large as 1 μm; and some are spherical and of intermediate sizes, in the range of 75-300 nm in diameter.
In the figure below, we display a chart showing the size and shape of a range of different virus (chart obtained from Expasy).
Spectradyne’s nCS2TM can measure particles such as virus down to diameters less than 50nm and up to 10 μm in diameter. Contact us today if you’re interested in finding out more.
“We eagerly purchased Spectradyne’s current MRPS technology for the value it delivers in therapeutic retroviral quantification. We have been impressed with the results it delivers and how practically it fits with our industrial process flow…”
Better science
For measuring the infectivity of viruses, testing the immunogenicity of different viral preparations, and almost any down-stream analysis, accurate virus concentration measurements are critical for performing well-controlled experiments.
A retroviral drug product was serially diluted and the concentration measured as a function of size showing the excellent concentration linearity of the nCS2TM:
Serial dilutions of a retroviral drug product accurately quantified by Spectradyne’s nCS1TM.
More and more researchers are choosing the nCS2TM for virus quantification because it is fast and easy to use and delivers a more accurate analysis of their virus samples than they can obtain using any other method.
