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SEM image of staphylococcus aureus

Abstract:
Virus particle detection and counting using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis is providing essential information for researchers at the University of Strathclyde's Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS). This team develops methods to employ naturally-occurring bacteriophages to combat MRSA and other bacteria. MRSA - or Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus - is a variation of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which has developed resistance to most antibiotics, making it difficult to treat and potentially deadly. Whilst the "Superbug" can be killed with detergents, detergent dilution and application is often inconsistent and ineffective, hence the bacteriophage route.

NanoSight nanoparticle detection technique contributes to virus production to counter MRSA

UK | Posted on December 9th, 2008

It is in characterizing bacteriophage cultures that NanoSight comes into play, employed within a team lead by Dr Mike Mattey, honorary lecturer at SIPBS. Prior to deploying bacteriophages as a dry-coat, to protect high-risk bacterial invasion sites (sutures, instruments and wounds), the cultures need characterization and their concentration needs assessing. NanoSight allows the team to view and size viral cultures rapidly, in real time and at low cost.

"The characterization of virus populations requires assessment of aggregation in the 20nm - 1,000nm range" says Dr Mattey. "NanoSight provides fast and easy quantitative sample characterization not possible with other methods (such as using the Beckman Coutler DLS, plaque assay & SEM) and at a much lower cost. Additionally, NanoSight's technology provides a reassuring view of the particle population that supports the counting results".

The NanoSight LM system uses a novel employment of laser light scattering. These instruments visualize and dynamically size populations of suspended particles on an individual basis down to a particle size of approx 20nm, dependent on material. NanoSight directly tracks the Brownian motion of each and every particle separately but simultaneously using a CCD camera and from a high resolution plot of the particle size distribution profile (and changes therein in time). Aggregation and flocculation are immediately apparent. This particle-by-particle approach avoids the ensemble assumptions of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and provides a unique image, going beyond light scattering in assessing polydisperse systems and providing insight into aggregation.

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About NanoSight Limited
NanoSight Ltd, of Salisbury, UK, is the world leading provider of instruments for the optical detection and real time analysis of sub-micron particles. The Company supplies unique instruments for nanoparticle analysis in the sub-micron region that have specific application in virus particle detection and counting. These instruments go far beyond existing light scattering techniques in characterising polydispersed systems. Founded in 2004, the company currently has over 140 systems in service worldwide, having begun commercial sales in 2006.

The Company’s proprietary knowledge and expertise has enabled the delivery of technologies to blue chip companies and universities for direct visualization of individual nanoscale particles in suspension from which independent quantitative estimation of particle size, size distribution and concentration are immediately obtained. The Company has recently launched additions to its advanced Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) software that build on the ground-breaking work of NanoSight’s LM20 and LM10 systems.

The Company has a growing base of users worldwide, including BASF, GlaxoSmithKline, 3M Corp, BP, ICI, Roche & Unilever and many universities.

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Contacts:
NanoSight Ltd.
2 Centre One,
Lysander Way,
Old Sarum Park,
Salisbury,
Wiltshire,
SP4 6BU,
United Kingdom.
Tel +44 (0)1722349439
Fax +44 (0)1722329640

USA West Coast Office
Duncan Griffiths
NanoSight USA West
3027 Madeira Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Tel 714-747-9955

USA East Coast Office
Jim Munhall
NanoSight East Coast Office
6660 N. High Street
Suite 2A
Worthington, Ohio 43085
Tel (614) 987-0045
Fax (614) 888-0025
Cell (614) 264-3493