Spectradyne FAQ

Question 1

What is MRPS?

Accepted Answer

Microfluidic Resistive Pulse Sensing (MRPS) is Spectradyne's patented technology for measuring nanoparticles. As each particle passes through a precision-etched nanoconstriction in a microfluidic cartridge, it displaces electrolyte and generates a measurable resistance pulse. The amplitude of the pulse determines the particle diameter, providing real-time size and absolute concentration measurements for particles in the 50 nm to 10 micron range.

Question 2

What is the difference between the ARC and nCS2?

Accepted Answer

Both instruments use MRPS to measure nanoparticle size and absolute concentration. The ARC additionally combines MRPS with single-particle fluorescence detection (F-MRPS), enabling simultaneous measurement of fluorescent subpopulations — such as payload-loaded LNPs or labeled EVs — in up to three optical channels. The nCS2 provides fast, accurate size and concentration measurements without fluorescence capability.

Question 3

How much sample is required?

Accepted Answer

Spectradyne instruments require only 2–3 microliters of sample per measurement, making them suitable for precious or scarce biological samples such as gene therapy vectors, extracellular vesicles, and clinical specimens.

Question 4

How does MRPS compare to DLS and NTA?

Accepted Answer

Unlike DLS (dynamic light scattering) and NTA (nanoparticle tracking analysis), which measure bulk optical properties and cannot reliably resolve polydisperse mixtures, MRPS measures each particle individually using electrical sensing. This delivers accurate size distributions, absolute concentration measurements, and the ability to resolve multiple populations in a complex sample — without the optical contrast limitations that affect DLS and NTA with small or low-refractive-index particles such as EVs and viruses.

Question 5

What particle size range can Spectradyne instruments measure?

Accepted Answer

Spectradyne instruments measure particles from 50 nm to 10 microns in diameter. Different microfluidic cartridges are available to optimise measurement across specific size ranges within this window.

Question 6

What sample types can be measured?

Accepted Answer

Spectradyne instruments can measure any particle type regardless of optical properties, including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), viruses and viral vectors, gene therapy vectors, protein aggregates, and industrial nanoparticles such as those found in paints, inks, cosmetics, and semiconductor polishing slurries.

Question 7

Is Spectradyne's technology GMP compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The ARC Particle Analyzer is GMP/GAMP and 21 CFR ready, making it suitable for use in pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control workflows.

Question 8

How long does a measurement take?

Accepted Answer

A typical measurement run takes under 5 minutes from sample loading to results, including size distribution, absolute concentration, and — on the ARC — fluorescent subpopulation data.

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