Nanoparticle Characterization Services

Nanoparticles constructed from various materials (such as polymers, lipids and metals) have shown great potential biomedical applications, especially in drug delivery and vaccine research. Compared with small molecule therapeutics, nanoparticle-based therapeutics have unique transport properties and control of biodistribution behavior, due to its flexible structure modification, its complexity in compositions, structures, and properties. Creative Biogene has launched a delivery nanosystem platform for design, production and improving mRNA delivery. Besides the highly uniform preparation procedures of nanostructures, the control over their physical and chemical traits is also critical importance. The physical properties of nanoparticles (such as architecture, size, shape, surface charge) have a profound impact on its vascular transport, cellular internalization, biodistribution, as well as immunogenicity. Therefore, we also offer a series of nanoparticle characterization services.

Service offering in Creative Biogene

From anatomically to the cellular level, the biological transport processes of nanoparticles, are greatly affected by its physical attributes. Therefore, it is particularly important to characterize these attributes in terms of its size, shape, surface charge as well as the chemical characteristics. Based on our experienced scientists and well-established platform, we can identify the physical properties of nanoparticles reliably and reproducibly. Specific items are as follows, but not limited to,

Particle morphology and size analysis

As one of the most important characteristics of nanoparticles, the size of nanoparticles can greatly influence the circulation and clearance, selective tissue distribution, intracellular fate and among others. It is reported that polymeric nanoparticles of 20–100 nm size have the highest potential for in vivo applications. To analyze morphology and size of nanoparticles, we employ atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) technology. AFM is a commonly used microscopic technique to conduct details of morphology and shape of particles, having the advantage of relatively convenient and nondestructive. DLS is a common method to analyze nanoparticles. The technique determines particle size through measuring the random changes in the intensity of light scattered in a liquid medium.

Zeta potential (ZP) analysis

The zeta potential (ZP) is a measure of the effective electric charge on the nanoparticle surface, which can provide information about particle stability (particles with higher magnitude ZP exhibiting increased stability) and cell adhesion. The characterization of ZP is necessary, since any differences in ZP could lead to drastically different characteristics of nanoparticles. ZP is affected by a series of factors, including the properties of nanoparticles and the nature of the solution (pH and ionic strength). Here, we offer ZP analysis by electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) technique, which can provide high resolution and reliable results. In addition, we can evaluate the effect of other formulation parameters on ZP values of nanoparticles and deliver comprehensive reports according to our customers' specific project needs.

Encapsulation efficiency determination assays and drug release

The rate of drug encapsulation impacts on efficiency of nanoparticles in treatment of disease. Encapsulation efficiency is a critical parameter from both therapeutic and economic view. We offer encapsulation efficiency measurement service by using a fluorescence plate-based assay. After the quantity of unencapsulated mRNA and total mRNA are obtained, encapsulation efficiency is calculated as the difference between the total mRNA and the unencapsulated mRNA divided by the total mRNA. The study of release profile is carried out by a method quite similar to the measurement of encapsulation efficiency. There are numerous techniques that can be utilized to determine in vitro release pattern of the encapsulated material from nanoparticles, including ultra-filtration or centrifugal filtration method, compartment diffusion cells with artificial or biological membranes, reverse dialysis bag method and so on.

NP characteristics impact distribution. (Mitchell, M. J., et al.,2020)

Creative Biogene promises to provide high-quality and low-cost nanoparticle physical characterization service for global clients. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more information. We are glad to cooperate with you!