EMBL Hamburg Researchers Use Viscotek TDA for Enhanced Protein Characterization by SAXS
Share:
Malvern, UK: Researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Hamburg, Germany, have incorporated a multi-detector array size exclusion chromatography (SEC) system from Malvern Instruments (Viscotek TDA -Triple Detector Array) at the laboratory’s powerful small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) beamline to improve the productivity and quality of detailed protein characterization work.
Use of the Viscotek TDA triple detector array system prior to analysis provides complementary biophysical data and simultaneously purifies samples for measurement. This results in more information and better quality data from each experiment. This innovative set-up is not only limited to the institute itself, but is widely accessible to structural biology researchers via BioStructX, a European Commission initiative that creates a single gateway to Europe’s leading synchrotron facilities.
SEC produces a fractionated sample for measurement, separated on the basis of hydrodynamic size. The Viscotek TDA incorporates refractive index, UV and light scattering detectors which in combination provide concentration and absolute molecular weight measurement for these eluting fractions. Integrating this system with the SAXS beamline provides it with purified samples for measurement that give enhanced signal-to-noise ratios and high quality data. In combination with the biophysical information from the TDA these data provide detailed information about the internal shape and structure of proteins that advances understanding of their behaviour. In particular SAXS data is valued for the determination and monitoring of the low resolution structures and conformational changes that proteins exhibit.
Both Malvern Instruments and EMBL Hamburg are partners in the BioStructX project which brings together facilities from across Europe to establish a state-of-the-art coordinated and multi-site infrastructure to support access for key methods in structural biology. The new integrated SEC-SAXS set-up was developed by a number of experts within EMBL, and with input from Malvern Instruments to enhance the department’s offering to BioSAXS users transnationally. The automated multi-pronged characterization it offers has already demonstrated its significant advantages to the first users and is expected to be in considerable demand as the BioSructX project advances.
Researchers interested in using the EMBL facility can find more information on the BioSAXS webpages (http://www.embl-hamburg.de/facilities/saxs/index.html).
www.malvern.com
About Malvern Instruments
Malvern provides the materials and biophysical characterization technology and expertise that enables scientists and engineers to understand and control the properties of dispersed systems. These systems range from proteins and polymers in solution, particle and nanoparticle suspensions and emulsions, through to sprays and aerosols, industrial bulk powders and high concentration slurries. Used at all stages of research, development and manufacturing, Malvern’s materials characterization instruments provide critical information that helps accelerate research and product development, enhance and maintain product quality and optimize process efficiency.
Our products reflect Malvern’s drive to exploit the latest technological innovations and our commitment to maximizing the potential of established techniques. They are used by both industry and academia, in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals to bulk chemicals, cement, plastics and polymers, energy and the environment.
Malvern systems are used to measure particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, protein charge, molecular weight, mass, size and conformation, rheological properties and for chemical identification, advancing the understanding of dispersed systems across many different industries and applications.
Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Japan and Korea, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world. www.malvern.com.
Facebook: MalvernInstruments
Blog: www.materials-talks.com
Youtube: malverninstruments
Linked-In: malvern-instruments
Twitter: malvern_news
Google +: https://plus.google.com/105749461389316404960/posts#105749461389316404960/posts
For press information, please contact:
Trish Appleton
Kapler Communications
Phoenix House, Phoenix Park
Eaton Socon, Cambridgeshire, PE19 8EP, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1480 471059Â
Fax: +44 (0)1480 471069Â
trish.appleton@kapleronline.com
  Â
USA contact:
Marisa Fraser
Malvern Instruments Inc.
117 Flanders Road
Westborough, MA 01581-1042Â USA
Tel:Â +1 508 768 6400
Fax: +1 508 768 6403Â
marisa.fraser@malvern.com
Â
Please send sales enquiries to:
Alison Vines
Malvern Instruments Ltd
Enigma Business Park
Grovewood Road
Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 1XZÂ UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1684 892456
Fax: +44 (0) 1684 892789
salesinfo@malvern.com
www.malvern.com
Kapler Communications,
Phoenix House
Phoenix Park
Eaton Socon,Cambs PE19 8EP
United Kingdom
