Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "High sensitivity of Zetasizer Nano proves essential for protein aggregation studies at University of South Florida"

Home > Press > High sensitivity of Zetasizer Nano proves essential for protein aggregation studies at University of South Florida

Abstract:
Dr Martin Muschol, Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida's (USF) Department of Physics and his team are carrying out important research to gain a better understanding of protein aggregation phenomena, including protein crystallization and amyloid fibril growth. Using the Zetasizer Nano ZS, from Malvern Instruments (Malvern, UK), the USF researchers have
been able to perform temperature controlled static and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements of protein hydration, protein interactions and aggregation kinetics in vitro.

High sensitivity of Zetasizer Nano proves essential for protein aggregation studies at University of South Florida

Malvern, UK | Posted on April 15th, 2010

"By enabling temperature controlled measurements, the Zetasizer Nano ZS is particularly suited to our work here at USF," said Dr Muschol. "With it we have been able to monitor the effect on the hydration of proteins by salt ions in solution, measuring the hydrodynamic radius of proteins down to plus/minus one tenth the diameter of a water molecule. Interestingly we found that neither chaotropic or cosmotropic salt ions affected overall protein hydration up to salt concentrations of 1M." (ref: ‘Hydration and Hydrodynamic Interactions of Lysozyme: Effects of Chaotropic versus Kosmotropic Ions', Biophysical Journal, Volume 96, pp 3781-3790

Having published several papers in the past year alone, data gathered by Dr Muschol and his team will be used to develop models for protein fibril formation, a behaviour thought to trigger degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. "Despite intensive research efforts, we still don't understand how proteins can stay in solution in a crowded cellular environment and what triggers their aggregation and subsequent pathological changes. We hope our research will contribute to resolving these basic puzzles." (ref: ‘Amyloid Protofibrils of Lysozyme Nucleate and Grow Via Oligomer Fusion', Biophysical Journal, Volume 97, pp 590-598)

Dr Muschol's team has also had noticeable success in using the Zetasizer Nano ZS to study the nucleation of gold nanoparticles (ref: R. Jagannathan, et al. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2009, 113, pp3478 3486). Unlike static light measurements commonly used to detect nucleation events, DLS separates out the background scattering from small molecular species in gold sols. Therefore, DLS was able to detect nucleation at a significantly earlier stage than has been possible with other approaches.

The Zetasizer Nano ZS is proving to be the ultimate sizing solution for biotechnology and materials scientists, offering exceptional sensitivity down to sub-micron and nanometre scales. The system's ability to control temperature is important when following the behaviour of polymers and protein samples. Further information can be found at www.malvern.com/zetasizer

Malvern, Malvern Instruments and Zetasizer are registered trademarks of Malvern Instruments Ltd

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About Malvern Instruments
Malvern Instruments provides a range of complementary materials characterization tools that deliver inter-related measurements reflecting the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Analytical instruments from Malvern are used in the characterization of a wide variety of materials, from industrial bulk powders to nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules.

A broad portfolio of innovative technologies is combined with intelligent, user-friendly software. These systems deliver industrially relevant data enabling our customers to make the connection between micro (such as particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging).

Particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, molecular weight, chemical composition and rheological properties measurements are now joined by advanced chromatography solutions (GPC/SEC), extending Malvern’s technologies for protein molecular weight, size and aggregation measurements, and synthetic polymer molecular weight and distribution. The company’s laboratory, at-line, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors as diverse as cement production and pharmaceutical drug discovery.

Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Korea and Japan, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world.

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