Analytical & Characterization Services
- Unless indicated otherwise, all the services below are billed at $25/h when used by trained independent UNMC, VAMC, UNO, UNL, or UNK users. Services performed by the PFDC core staff are billed at $40/h.
- External academic and corporate rates are available. Contact core manager for current prices.
- Inquire about GLP pricing and capabilities for selected characterization and formulation services.
Hydrodynamic size and zeta-potential analysis of nanoparticles
NanoZS (Malvern) Dynamic Light Scattering instrument for size and surface charge characterization of proteins, nanoparticles, polymers and colloidal dispersions. Accurate, reliable and repeatable analysis in one or two minutes, suitable for measurement of sizes from ~1 nm to >500 nm.
Nanoparticle tracking analysis
NanoSight NS300 (Malvern) Nanoparticle Tracking Analyzer to obtain size, size distribution, and concentration measurements of particles. Simultaneous measurement of multiple characteristics, saving time and sample volume. Well-suited for all types of nanoparticles, including exosomes and other extracellular vesicles, in the range of 10 to 2000 nm.
Characterization and separation of nanomaterials and macromolecules using field flow fractionation
Field-flow fractionation is a size-based separations technique, capable of analyzing viral particles, micelles, lipid nanoparticles, emulsions, proteins, liposomes, exosomes, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, engineered nanoparticles, and suspensions with no stationary phase and low shear. The PFDC core is equipped with Wyatt Technology Eclipse DualTec separation system, DAWN HELEOS II 18-angle static light scattering detector, and Optilab T-rEX refractive index detector.
Microplate fluorescence and absorbance measurements
SpectraMax iD3 reader to measure absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence. The system includes a xenon flash lamp and an ultra-cooled photomultiplier tube that reduces background noise and dynamic range. Allows temperature control up to 65°C, orbital and infinity shaking, spectral scanning and detection of plate formats from 6- to 384-wells.
Aerodynamic particle size analysis
Promo 2000 (Palas) scattered-light aerosol spectrometer system for process measurement technology and monitoring applications. Measuring range of 0.2 to 100 µm, with up to 4 measuring ranges selectable. Up to 128 size channels per measuring range. Concentration range of 1 particle/cm3 to 106
particles/cm3. Calibration curves for different refractive indices. High and reproducible counting efficiency rate starting at 0.2 µm.
Blood Chemistry analysis
VetScan VS2 (Abaxis) for state-of-the-art chemistry, electrolyte, immunoassay and blood gas analyzer from just two drops of whole blood, serum or plasma. Analyzes up to 14 different parameters grouped in 8 different indication-related diagnostic profiles. Precision and accuracy comparable to that of large-scale blood analyzers. Minimum sample volume 100 µL of whole blood. Time of analysis only 8 minutes.
- $5/sample for trained users.
- $7.50/sample when run by core staff.
Hematology analysis
VetScan HM5 hematology analyzer for complete blood count (CBC), including RBC (red blood cell count), HCT (hematocrit), HGB (hemoglobin), WBC (white blood cell count). Analyzes 17 common species and 22 parameters, including direct eosinophil counts and eosinophil percentage.
- $10/sample for trained users.
- $15/sample when run by core staff.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass-Spectrometry (NexION 300Q) to determine elements with atomic mass ranging from 7 to 250, Rapid multi-element quantitative analysis, isotopic analysis, determination of metal concentrations in biological samples.
- $10/sample for trained users.
- $15/sample when run by core staff
BiOptix 404pi surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument for real-time monitoring of macromolecular interactions without the use of labels. Applicable in drug discovery, antibody screening, ligand fishing and therapeutics. Suitable to study protein-small molecule interactions, protein-protein interactions, antibody-antigen interactions, kinetics and affinities of binding, nucleic acid-protein interactions.
Ultracentrifugation
Optima le-80k / (Beckman) ultracentrifuge capable of generating acceleration as high as 1,000,000 g (~. 9 800 km/s²). Available with a wide swinging bucket rotors, fixed angle rotors, and zonal rotors.
Liquid Chromatography (UPLC-MS)
ACQUITY UPLC H-Class liquid chromatographer for separation and analysis of biomolecules such as metabolites, proteins, and oligonucleotides. The LC includes an auto-sampler for automated multi-sample analysis, the ability to blend up to four separate solvent streams, and temperature-controlled column compartments. The mass spectrometer is equipped with a dual ESI/APCI ion source and performs high resolution MS analyses of chromatographic components in both positive and negative ionization modes. An internal lock-mass ensures high mass accuracy.
- $10/sample for trained users.
- $15/sample when run by core staff.