Instrumental Analyses & Capabilities
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
NMR spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique used to determine the molecular structure and composition of organic compounds. Both proton (1H-NMR) and carbon-13 (13C-NMR) NMR spectroscopy provide valuable information about the nuclei in a molecule and their chemical environment.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Conventional scanning electron microscopy relies on secondary electron emission from a specimen's surface. As the electron microscopy counterpart to stereo light microscopes, SEM offers detailed surface images of cells and organisms, which is not achievable by TEM. It facilitates particle counting, size determination, and process control.
Seahorse XF Analyzer
The Seahorse XF analyzer measures key metabolic parameters in living cells, including the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). OCR reflects mitochondrial respiration, while ECAR indicates glycolytic activity. This technology enables real-time monitoring of cellular metabolism without the need for labels or dyes.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a highly utilized and powerful technique for swift elemental chemical analysis and isotope ratio determination. This method boasts detection limits in solution reaching as low as one part per trillion concentration or even below for over 70 elements. Additionally, its linear dynamic range extends up to nine orders of magnitude. ICP-MS achieves such remarkable sensitivity by ionizing the sample through ICP and then employing a mass spectrometer to separate and quantify the resulting ions.
Aerodynamic Particle Sizing (APS)
APS is …
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
TEM actively analyzes matter by magnifying its smallest structures, offering unparalleled detail at the atomic scale compared to optical microscopes, which rely on visible light. TEM achieves resolutions magnitudes higher than optical microscopy, as electrons possess significantly shorter wavelengths, about 100,000 times smaller than visible light.
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopes (CLSM)
Confocal laser scanning microscopes utilize a short-wavelength continuous wave laser to generate high-intensity excitation light for sample illumination. This laser passes through a series of mirrors, including a dichroic mirror, which directs it onto a dyed sample. Upon laser excitation, the dye fluoresces, emitting long-wavelength light. This emitted light is then directed back through the same mirrors used for laser scanning. Passing through the dichroic mirror, it focuses onto a pinhole before being collected and measured by the detector. Connected to a computer, the detector compiles a precise digital 3D image point by point.
Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
Dynamic light scattering, photon correlation spectroscopy, or quasi-elastic light scattering are primarily used to measure the Brownian motion of macromolecules in solution. This motion occurs due to the bombardment from solvent molecules and is related to the particles' size. The movement of macromolecules is influenced by their size, temperature, and solvent viscosity. Precise temperature control is crucial for accurate DLS measurements, as the solvent's viscosity varies with temperature.
Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
LC–MS combines HPLC's physical separation prowess with MS's exceptional mass analysis capabilities. These coupled systems are widely embraced in chemical analysis for their ability to synergistically amplify the strengths of each technique. Liquid chromatography efficiently separates mixtures with multiple components, while mass spectrometry furnishes invaluable spectral information crucial for identifying or confirming the suspected identity of each isolated component.
3D Laser Scanning Microscopy (3DLSM)
3DLSM is …