NanoSight,
manufacturers of unique nanoparticle characterization technology, announce that
UK biotechnology company, Henderson Morley plc, is using nanoparticle tracking
analysis (NTA) to quantify virus particle number for batch to batch control.
Dr Chris Hartley, Principal Scientist at Henderson Morley
Henderson Morley is developing an exciting pipeline of anti-viral drugs and
vaccines and biological products to fight a wide range of diseases in humans
and animals. Their lead vaccine technology platform uses PREPS and L-particles
which are virus-like particles derived from Human Herpes Virus 1 (HHV-1). These
particles have the same size as herpes viruses, but do not contain viral DNA
and are therefore sterile. Conventional viral quantification relies on the infectious
yield of viruses but as these particles do not replicate, an alternate quantification
technique had to be found.
Previously the only way to quantify particle number relied on less accurate
protein concentration measurements. The company had also used costly and time
consuming electron microscopy through a local university, and although this
gave good results, it was not practical for batch to batch quantification of
the L and PREPS particles.
Several benefits have been produced since the purchase the NanoSight system.
Henderson Morley’s Principal Scientist, Dr Chris Hartley, has been impressed
with the speed and ease of use. “The reproducibility of results providing
both particle size and particle counts in real time has been excellent. Also
negligible on-going and running costs have meant that the NanoSight instrument
is proving to be a very cost effective solution.”
NanoSight’s Head of Applications Science, Andrew Malloy, adds “It
is clear that we have a solution to a widespread problem, that of assessing
viral titre. The results we are delivering for a range of users in viral vaccine
production are contributing directly to improving the yield and stability of
their products throughout the production process. We are delighted that Henderson
Morley were so quick to recognise the value these analyses can provide.”
To learn more about viruses and their characterization using NTA, please visit
www.nanosight.com. Register for the latest issue of NanoTrail, the company’s
eNewsletter.