
Technology
Change How You See Biomolecule Structural Changes
Microfluidic Modulation Spectroscopy (MMS) is a novel spectroscopic tool which directly addresses the limitations of current technologies by facilitating direct, label-free analysis of secondary structure over a wide concentration range (0.1 to 200 mg/mL) in complex formulations without the need for buffer exchange or dilution. MMS utilizes a tunable Quantum Cascade Laser that is at least 1000 times more intense than conventional light sources, allowing for optimal signal-to-noise ratio to achieve ultra-high sensitivity. This sensitivity allows MMS to see changes missed by other technologies and gives you greater confidence in your biophysical characterization. Now with the power of the Apollo MMS system, the sample (biomolecule-in-buffer) solution and a matching buffer reference stream are introduced into the transmission cell under continuous flow and then rapidly modulated (1–5 Hz) across the laser beam path. This produces nearly drift-free, background-compensated, differential absorbance scans of the Amide I band (1700-1600 cm-1) and allows changes in HOS to be easily measured and compared.
Microfluidic Modulation Spectroscopy is a novel tool that can strengthen a bioanalytical tool kit by providing critical insight through all phases of drug development. This technique enhances current toolkits with the ability to monitor 5 key biomolecule characteristics including aggregation, quantitation, structure, stability, and similarity. MMS provides the following benefits:
- A reduction in time and cost through automation (24/96 well formats).
- Improvement in product quality with measurements of previously undetectable changes in biomolecule structure.
- De-risking of downstream product failures through earlier up-stream monitoring.
- Generation of quality data for confident decision-making in order to accelerate development timelines.