"We have been using the Refeyn OneMP mass photometer in our biophysics lab in Gothenburg for several months now. It has been invaluable in a number of studies, ranging from simple cases of clarifying the oligomeric states of drug targets to elucidating complex binding mechanisms of small molecules. I believe Refeyn's mass photometry is a great piece of technology for any biophysics lab.”
- Anders Gunnarsson, Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D
Mass photometry technologies are a recent addition to the bioanalytical toolkit. By directly measuring molecular mass in solution, mass photometry reports on fundamental properties of the sample while maintaining a native environment. It is applicable to a wide range of different molecules and can be used in basic research, drug discovery and manufacturing. The related technology, macro mass photometry, analyzes vectors, such as lentivirus and adenovirus, directly in solution.
Mass photometry measures mass at the single molecule level, providing insights into the composition and function of even complex samples and molecular mechanisms. This unique technology can detect and characterize proteins, nucleic acids, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), lipids and sugars. It provides information on oligomeric state and stoichiometry, sample homogeneity, molecular interactions, capsid loading, and aggregation and degradation – all in a matter of minutes and using tiny amounts of sample.
Due to its unique benefits, mass photometry technologies address a major unmet need for more efficient analytical tools. With over 500 scientific papers citing mass photometry, it is helping accelerate science, and the discovery and development of new therapeutics.
Developing cell and gene therapies, as well as mRNA vaccines, requires assessing critical quality attributes (CQAs) like vector packaging, titer and purity. Unlike slow, sample-intensive methods, mass photometry and macro mass photometry offer fast, sensitive solutions. They enable rapid insights into vector production, early fault detection and process optimization, making single-particle vector analytics accessible and efficient.
Life scientists need detailed biomolecular analyses, to assess sample purity or measure binding affinity. Mass photometry simplifies this by accurately measuring molecular mass in solution and is compatible with proteins and nucleic acids. It reveals complex formation and stoichiometry, estimates binding affinities, and detects impurities quickly with minimal sample and training – allowing researchers to advance their work efficiently.
