<p><strong>International team of scientists shed light on the processes that drive the global distribution of air pollutants - the re-emission of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). The new study was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.</strong></p><p>PACs are long-lived toxic substances contributing significantly to air pollution in the industrialized world. They are inevitable byproducts of all kinds of fossil fuel and wood combustion, and following dry or wet deposition (rainfall), PACs are transferred to and stored in soils. In response to continued pollution and wind conditions for transport and deposition, PACs may volatilize from the soil surface and be re-released into the air. That way, soils become secondary sources of these air pollutants.</p><p>By determining air and soil contamination as well as the exchange between air and soil in rural grassland and in a remote forest, the scientists identified a number of substances being potentially re-emitted.</p><p><i>“Such re-emissions might add significantly to the concentrations of PACs in ambient air far from source areas," </i>emphasizes the importance of these findings <strong>Gerhard Lammel</strong> from the RECETOX center.</p><p>For the first time, they also quantified the soil’s re-emission flux (mass of PACs volatilised per time and area) in a boreal forest in Finland. When extrapolating this flux to the country scale, they found it comparable to the primary emissions from industry, household heating, and motor vehicle traffic in Finland. The results of the study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, suggest that such secondary emissions in countries receiving air pollution from neighboring states might even exceed the domestic primary emissions.</p><p><i>"Our results suggest that emission inventories at least in the less populated countries of Europe should account for this additional type of sources. We need more measurements to help identify sensitivities towards certain soil conditions driving these re-emissions to ultimately arrive at more accurate emission inventories across landscapes,”</i> adds Lammel.</p><p>Furthermore, the research highlights the 'grasshopper effect’, meaning that the potential of re-emission enhances the widespread distribution and environmental lifetimes of substances hazardous for human health and ecosystems.</p><blockquote><p><i><strong>The research was supported by the Czech Science Foundation</strong> (25-17534S); <strong>Research Infrastructure ACTRIS-CZ </strong>(No. LM2023030) and <strong>RECETOX</strong> (No. LM2023069) <strong>financed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the OP RDE </strong>(the CETOCOEN EXCELLENCE project No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/17_043/0009632).</i></p></blockquote><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RECETOX_MUNI_Studie_odhalila_necekane_velky_prinos_pudy_ke_znecisteni_ovzdusi_0c2b62ee68.jpg" alt="RECETOX-MUNI: Study reveals an unexpectedly large contribution to air pollution from soils" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RECETOX_MUNI_Studie_odhalila_necekane_velky_prinos_pudy_ke_znecisteni_ovzdusi_0c2b62ee68.jpg 146w," sizes="100vw" width="738" height="790"></p><blockquote><h4><strong>The original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389426022636?via%3Dihub#sec0005"><strong>Polycyclic aromatic compounds in air – importance of re-volatilisation from soils</strong></a></h4><p>Gerhard Lammel, Dominika Bezdeková, Jakub Martiník, Karsten Baumann, Rostislav Červenka, Petr Kukučka, Ondřej Letocha, Ludovic Mayer, Petra Přibylová, Roman Prokeš, Üllar Rannick, Risto Taipale</p><p><i><strong>J. Hazard. Mater.</strong></i>, 2026, <strong>516</strong>, 143283&nbsp;</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.143283"><span>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.143283</span></a></p><h6>licenced under<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"> <strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><h4><strong>Abstract</strong></h4><p>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitrated and oxygenated derivatives (NPAHs, OPAHs) are semivolatile air pollutants which may re-volatilise following atmospheric deposition to soil. Here, we determined polycyclic aromatic compounds’ (PACs) concentrations in air, topsoil and air equilibrated with soil at a rural grassland site and a boreal forest site. The samples were analysed by GC-MS/MS and the flux was studied by fugacity calculations and a micrometeorological flux-gradient method. In soil at the boreal site, OPAH and NPAH contributed much higher fractions to PAC contamination of air and soil than at the rural site, reflecting the conversion of primary PACs during transport from sources. The same number of PACs in soil have reached equilibrium concentration with air, despite one site being in a polluted and PAC source region and the other in a much less polluted and PAC receptor region. The direction of air-soil exchange was found insensitive to the modest day-night temperature variation at both sites. Upward diffusive flux was observed for one PAH, triphenylene, at the rural grassland site, and for three 3-ring PAHs and naphthaldehyde at the boreal forest site. There, emission fluxes were quantified and ranged 0.5–12 ng m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>. The results indicate that low molecular weight PAH secondary emissions in a receptor region may be of same order of magnitude as domestic primary emissions.</p>

Study reveals an unexpectedly large contribution to air pollution from soils

<p><strong>Whether a drug can effectively bind to its target protein, or how different parts of a virus or a cell interact, depends on processes taking place at the level of individual molecules. Their behaviour is determined not only by their shape, but also by the electrostatic forces acting between them. Understanding how these forces are distributed helps scientists explain why certain molecules attract each other, how they bind and how they interact.</strong></p><p>This is where the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://acc.biodata.ceitec.cz/"><i><strong>Atomic Charge Calculator (ACC)</strong></i></a> comes in. Researchers at Masaryk University have been developing this computational tool for more than a decade. Its third and most advanced generation to date was developed at <strong>CEITEC Masaryk University</strong> and the<strong> Faculty of Science at Masaryk University</strong>, in collaboration with the <strong>Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University</strong> and <strong>Palacký University Olomouc</strong>.</p><p><strong>ACC III </strong>calculates the electric charges of individual atoms and visualises their distribution directly within three-dimensional molecular structures. It brings together <strong>twenty different calculation methods</strong> in a single environment and can work with a wide range of molecules – from small organic compounds to proteins and other large biomolecular structures.</p><p>A key advantage of <strong>Atomic Charge Calculator III</strong> is that it combines a broad range of computational methods with ease of access. Basic calculations can be performed directly in a web browser, <strong>with no need to install specialised software or register for an account</strong>. The resulting charges can be displayed directly on a 3D model of the molecule. For advanced users and large-scale analyses, the platform also supports automated data processing and allows its computational core to be run locally.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Co_pritahuje_molekuly_Nova_generace_nastroje_z_CEITEC_zviditelnuje_sily_mezi_atomy_d32d7bd2cd.jpg" alt="CEITEC/Biological Data Management and Analysis Core Facility: What Attracts Molecules? A New Generation of a CEITEC Tool Makes the Forces Between Atoms Visible: Oseltamivir bound to influenza virus neuraminidase (blue: positive partial charges, red: negative charges). A strong electrostatic interaction occurs between a negatively charged region of the drug and positively charged regions of the protein." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Co_pritahuje_molekuly_Nova_generace_nastroje_z_CEITEC_zviditelnuje_sily_mezi_atomy_d32d7bd2cd.jpg 140w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1786"></p><h3><strong>Why are scientists interested in the electric charges of atoms?</strong></h3><p>Electrons are not distributed evenly within molecules. Individual atoms can therefore carry different partial electric charges. These charges play an important role in determining how molecules behave towards their surroundings and towards one another.</p><p>Positively and negatively charged regions of molecules can attract each other, while regions with the same charge repel each other. The distribution of these charges therefore helps determine which molecules approach each other, how they orient themselves and how strongly they may bind. In biology, this is important, for example, in molecular recognition or when a drug binds to its target protein. Understanding partial charges therefore helps scientists gain insight into the interactions underlying the behaviour of many molecular systems.</p><p>There is, however, no single universal way to determine partial charges. Different computational methods can produce different values, and the choice of method also depends on how the results will be used. Accurate quantum-chemical calculations can also become very computationally demanding when large numbers of structures are involved. ACC III therefore brings together<strong> empirical methods </strong>that allow these calculations to be performed more quickly and on a large scale.</p><p><i>“From the outset, we designed ACC III to make calculating partial atomic charges as straightforward as possible. Users do not need to install anything or deal with complicated settings – they simply upload a molecule and start the calculation with a single click. The application then suggests suitable methods from the twenty available and can handle both small molecules and large biomolecular structures,”</i> says <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/tomas-racek-ph-d/u94476?page=publication"><strong>Tomáš Raček</strong></a>, who has been developing and maintaining ACC since 2018.</p><h3><strong>How an antiviral drug binds to an influenza virus protein</strong></h3><p>The authors demonstrate what charge distribution can reveal using the well-known antiviral drug oseltamivir, marketed as Tamiflu. The drug binds to neuraminidase, a protein of the influenza A virus. ACC III can show directly within the three-dimensional structure where positive and negative partial charges are located and how they contribute to the interaction between the drug and the protein.</p><p><i>“The example of oseltamivir clearly shows why it is useful not only to calculate the charges, but also to visualise them directly within the structure. This allows us to see which parts of the two molecules interact electrostatically. The same approach can be used to study many other molecular systems,”</i> explains Tomáš Raček.</p><p><strong>ACC III is not limited to small molecules</strong>. It can also work with proteins and other large biomolecular structures. The authors demonstrate this using a second example: the <strong>SARS-CoV-2 </strong>pore complex. Coronaviruses form these pores during replication in infected cells and use them to transport viral RNA across membranes. Visualising partial charges helps distinguish the parts of the complex that pass through the non-polar environment of the membrane from its more highly charged regions.</p><h3><strong>From calculation straight to a 3D model</strong></h3><p>The new generation of the Atomic Charge Calculator also offers<strong> more advanced visualisation</strong>. It uses Mol*, which allows calculated charges to be mapped directly onto a three-dimensional structure and explored interactively. A visualisation created using ACC III was also selected for the<strong> cover of the special </strong><i><strong>Nucleic Acids Research</strong></i><strong> Web Server Issue</strong>. Created by Tomáš Raček, the cover image shows the distribution of partial charges in a membrane protein system.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Co_pritahuje_molekuly_Nova_generace_nastroje_z_CEITEC_zviditelnuje_sily_mezi_atomy_3_85cc310925.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/Oxford University Press: What Attracts Molecules? A New Generation of a CEITEC Tool Makes the Forces Between Atoms Visible: Cover page in Nucleic Acids Research journal." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Co_pritahuje_molekuly_Nova_generace_nastroje_z_CEITEC_zviditelnuje_sily_mezi_atomy_3_85cc310925.jpeg 124w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2011"></p><p>Results can be downloaded in several standard formats and, for the first time, stored directly in the mmCIF format commonly used for three-dimensional biomolecular structures. Information about the structure and its calculated charges can therefore remain together in a single file and be used by other tools.</p><p>For researchers who need to process large numbers of structures, ACC III also provides an API and a computational core that can be run locally. The platform can therefore be used both for individual calculations through its web interface and as part of larger automated analyses.</p><h3><strong>More than a decade of development</strong></h3><p>Scientists introduced the first Atomic Charge Calculator in <strong>2015</strong>, followed by its second generation in <strong>2020</strong>. In the meantime, the team also developed specialised tools: PDBCharges for structures from the Protein Data Bank and AlphaCharges for structures from the AlphaFold Database.</p><p><i>“The Atomic Charge Calculator was never a one-off project,”</i> says <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/prof-radka-svobodova-ph-d/u17518?page=publication"><strong>Radka Svobodová</strong></a>, Head of the Biological Data Management and Analysis Core Facility at CEITEC Masaryk University. <i>“For more than a decade, we have been continuously developing tools that respond both to new possibilities in structural bioinformatics and to the needs of their users. The third generation combines straightforward web-based use with capabilities that are important for the automated processing of large numbers of molecular structures.”</i></p><blockquote><p><strong>Atomic Charge Calculator III is freely available through its web interface and does not require registration for basic use.</strong> Its development was supported by the<strong> ELIXIR CZ </strong>research infrastructure.</p></blockquote><h5><strong>The authors presented the new generation of the tool in </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/54/W1/W211/8662890"><i><strong>Nucleic Acids Research</strong></i></a><strong>.</strong></h5>

What Attracts Molecules? A New Generation of a CEITEC Tool Makes the Forces Between Atoms Visible 

<p><span><strong>Not every concentration job can tolerate heat — and not every concentrator that handles heat well can handle cold. </strong></span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/2441"><span><strong>Refrigerated centrifugal vacuum concentrators</strong></span></a><span><strong> exist for a specific reason: proteins, RNA, enzymes, and synthetic peptides degrade quickly under thermal stress, and standard concentrators that rely on heat alone can compromise sample integrity before evaporation finishes. We compared two of the leading refrigerated systems — the Labconco Refrigerated CentriVap and the </strong></span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/products/2611"><span><strong>Thermo Fisher Refrigerated SpeedVac SRF110</strong></span></a><span><strong> — to see how they stack up for labs where sample preservation is non-negotiable.</strong></span></p><blockquote><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://explore.organomation.com/labconco-refrigerated-centrivap-vs-thermo-fisher-refrigerated-speedvac"><span><strong>Download the full comparison with pricing here!</strong></span></a></p></blockquote><h3><strong>The Problem Refrigeration Actually Solves</strong></h3><p>It's a detail that gets lost in most spec-sheet comparisons: running a<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/lcms/products?manufacturerItems=540&amp;search=centrivap"><strong> vacuum concentrator </strong></a>without temperature control can cause a sample to over-cool itself. As solvent evaporates under vacuum, the process pulls latent heat from the sample — the same evaporative cooling effect that makes sweat feel cold on skin. For a heat-stable solvent, that's irrelevant. For a temperature-sensitive biomolecule, it can drop the sample low enough to risk unwanted freezing or sublimation mid-run. Labconco's own engineering notes for the Refrigerated CentriVap describe this directly: the unit pairs a refrigeration system with a heater so operators can hold a precise set-point temperature and avoid sublimated samples caused by evaporative cooling. That's the whole reason this product category exists, and it's worth understanding before comparing specs line by line.</p><h3><strong>Price: A Wider Gap at the High End</strong></h3><p>The <strong>Labconco Refrigerated CentriVap</strong> is typically priced around <strong>$13,000 USD</strong>. The <strong>Thermo Fisher SRF110</strong> runs higher, generally<strong> $15,000–$17,000 USD</strong>, and that's before factoring in the modular kit components — Thermo Fisher sells the SRF110 with a separate vacuum system, rotor, vapor trap, and heat transfer fluid bundled into the total kit price. The price gap between these two refrigerated units is proportionally larger than what we found comparing their non-refrigerated counterparts, which makes the value case for the CentriVap even more pronounced at this tier.</p><h3><strong>Capacity: The Difference That Matters Most Right Now</strong></h3><p>This is where the two systems really separate, and it lines up with where lab demand is heading. The Refrigerated CentriVap processes up to <strong>312 samples</strong> per run; the SRF110 tops out at <strong>132</strong>. Both handle volumes up to 50 mL, so this isn't a volume trade-off the way it was in our earlier comparison — it's a straight throughput advantage for the CentriVap.</p><p>That gap matters because<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://peptidestaff.com/industry-trends/peptide-therapy-market-forecast-2026/"><strong> peptide-based therapeutics </strong></a>have become one of the fastest-growing classes of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, and manufacturing capacity — not demand — is widely cited as the primary bottleneck holding the sector back. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://labrulez.com/en-us/all/article/7541"><strong>GLP-1 programs</strong></a> in particular are pushing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bachem.com/knowledge-center/glp-1-demand-for-peptide-manufacturers/"><span><strong>peptide manufacturers</strong></span></a><span> </span>toward industrialized, large-scale production platforms rather than one-off batch work. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/"><strong>Sample prep equipment</strong></a> sits squarely inside that bottleneck: every purification run, HPLC fraction, and concentration step has to scale alongside the chemistry. A concentrator that processes more than double the samples per run, like the Refrigerated CentriVap, is a meaningfully different proposition for a peptide synthesis or purification lab than it would have been five years ago.</p><h3><strong>Temperature Range: How Cold You Can Go</strong></h3><p>The CentriVap's refrigeration reaches as low as<strong> -10°C</strong>; the SRF110 bottoms out at <strong>-4°C</strong>. Both units heat up to +100°C. That six-degree gap on the cold end isn't dramatic on paper, but for the most heat-labile peptides and enzymes, the lower floor gives operators more margin before a sample is at risk — particularly during longer runs where evaporative cooling has more time to compound any thermal load on the sample.</p><h3><strong>Vortex Speed and Mechanical Flexibility</strong></h3><p>The CentriVap offers an adjustable vortex range from <strong>500 to 1,800 rpm</strong>, while the SRF110 runs up to<strong> 1,725 rpm</strong>. The CentriVap's lower floor is the more useful distinction here — fragile, large, or shear-sensitive samples (think intact proteins or larger peptide constructs) sometimes need to run at reduced rotor speed to avoid mechanical stress, and the CentriVap gives operators that headroom on both ends rather than just a ceiling.</p><h3><strong>Lid Material: Visibility vs. Durability</strong></h3><p>The Refrigerated CentriVap uses a <strong>glass lid</strong>, letting operators see into the chamber during a run. The SRF110 uses an <strong>epoxy-coated aluminum lid</strong>, which trades visibility for added durability. For labs running visually distinct sample batches — colored buffers, multiple project codes, HPLC fractions pulled at different time points — the ability to glance at the chamber without interrupting a run has real workflow value, especially in a core facility setting where one instrument serves multiple research groups.</p><h3><strong>What This Means for Core Facilities</strong></h3><p>Shared instrumentation cores feel throughput and cold-temperature constraints differently than a single-PI lab does. A<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/an-appreciation-for-academic-core-labs"><strong> core running samples from multiple research groups </strong></a>— some doing routine RNA cleanup, others running heat-labile peptide fractions from an HPLC purification step — needs an instrument that won't bottleneck on either axis. The CentriVap's combination of higher per-run capacity and a lower refrigeration floor gives a shared facility more room to serve mixed workloads without forcing every group onto the same conservative settings a less flexible unit would require.</p><h3><strong>Built for the Same Footprint</strong></h3><p>Both units are sized for fume hood placement, with the CentriVap measuring<strong> 15.0 x 27.2 x 13.9 inches </strong>against the SRF110's<strong> 16.62 x 25 x 13.75 inches </strong>— close enough that floor planning isn't a deciding factor either way. Both carry <strong>standard one-year warranties</strong>.</p><h3><strong>The Bottom Line</strong></h3><p>For labs concentrating proteins, RNA, enzymes, or peptide fractions at scale — particularly anyone supporting peptide therapeutic development, where production capacity is already the limiting factor industry-wide — the Labconco Refrigerated CentriVap's combination of higher throughput, lower cold-temperature floor, and lower price makes it the stronger fit. The SRF110 remains a capable option for labs with smaller batch sizes already standardized on Thermo Fisher's modular vacuum ecosystem.</p><p>Organomation distributes the full Labconco CentriVap line, including the Refrigerated and Refrigerated Pro models. Contact our team at sales@organomation.com to talk through rotor configuration, cold trap pairing, and throughput planning for your lab.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://explore.organomation.com/labconco-refrigerated-centrivap-vs-thermo-fisher-refrigerated-speedvac"><span><strong>Download the full comparison with pricing here!</strong></span></a></h5></blockquote>

Refrigerated SpeedVac SRF110 vs. CentriVap - Why Sample Capacity Matters More Than Ever for Peptide and Protein Labs

Article

Product

Environment

Science and research

RECETOX (Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment) is an independent department of the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University in Brno, which has been established in 1983. RECETOX is focused on the research and education in cross-cutting area of Environment and Health. It addresses interactions among chemicals, environment, and biological systems, including consequences at local, regional, and global levels.

RECETOX - Centrum pro výzkum toxických látek v prostředí

Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

CEITEC

Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

Organomation

Waters Aura+ System for particle characterization

Fast, decisive particle characterization for biologics. Aura+ delivers high-throughput, 5 µL analysis with BMI and FMM imaging for proteins, antibodies, and cell/gene therapies.

<h4><strong>Fast, decisive, low-volume particle characterization analysis for biotherapeutic workflows</strong></h4><p><strong>When you need the flexibility to conduct particle characterization analyses on different types of biologics, including protein and antibody therapeutics, cell therapies, and gene therapies, the Aura+ System has you covered.</strong></p><p>Fully configured to support applications across protein, antibody, cell, and gene therapy workflows, Aura+ brings particle characterization to earlier stages of therapeutic development, so you can make better decisions sooner.</p><p>Powered by the backgrounded membrane imaging (BMI) and fluorescence membrane microscopy (FMM) technology shared within the Aura family of instruments, Aura+ System enables applications from late discovery to development and manufacturing, enhancing decision-making and accelerating your success.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Aura_System_18b9a5e9f5.jpg" alt="Waters: Aura+ System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Aura_System_18b9a5e9f5.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h4><strong>Specifications</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Imaging area: </strong>24.6 mm2</li><li><strong>Optics: </strong>4x and 20x objectives</li><li><strong>Minimum volume:</strong> 5 µL (assay dependent)</li><li><strong>Resolution:</strong> 1.0 pixel/µm</li><li><strong>Detectable size range: </strong>Range from &gt;1 µm (ECD) to &lt;5 mm (ECD)</li><li><strong>BMI read time: </strong>1 minute/sample</li><li><strong>FMM read time:</strong> 3 FL channels, 30 seconds/sample</li><li><strong>Software:</strong> Particle VUE 4.x all-in-one software suite (image capture and analysis)</li></ul><h4><strong>Overview</strong></h4><ul><li>Save precious material with just 5 µL sample volume requirements&nbsp;</li><li>Get actionable results from a full 96 well plate of labeled samples to data in just 90 minutes</li><li>Boost efficiency with 96-well membrane plate high-throughput capability</li><li>Gain deeper particle insights with advanced imaging</li><li>Rely only on one platform for proteins, antibodies, and cell and gene therapies development</li></ul><p><strong>Recommended Use: </strong>For workflows requiring complete flexibility across a full spectrum of analytes, including biologics, viral vectors, cells, and other contaminants.​</p><h4><strong>Take the guesswork out of your aggregate ID</strong></h4><p>Don’t waste time troubleshooting incorrectly identified aggregates in your therapeutic. Aura+ System uses a combination of brightfield and fluorescent imaging to specifically ID and quantitate cell, viral capsid, protein, degraded excipients, and packaging contaminants so you’ll know exactly what’s in your sample.​</p><p>With high-throughput 96-well plate capability, 5 µL sample volumes, and results in as little as 90 minutes, it offers an efficient solution for detailed particle analysis, meeting USP &lt;788&gt; and &lt;1788&gt; requirements.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Aura_Identify_cell_doublets_and_triplets_1_cellular_aggregates_2_protein_aggregates_3_and_plastic_contaminants_4_in_a_cell_therapeutic_sample_5227e05a6d.jpg" alt="Waters: Aura+ System - Identify cell doublets and triplets (1), cellular aggregates (2), protein aggregates (3), and plastic contaminants (4) in a cell therapeutic sample." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Aura_Identify_cell_doublets_and_triplets_1_cellular_aggregates_2_protein_aggregates_3_and_plastic_contaminants_4_in_a_cell_therapeutic_sample_5227e05a6d.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h4><strong>BMI: The key to sensitive, robust, early-stage particle characterization</strong></h4><p>Backgrounded membrane imaging (BMI) provides a clearer, faster, and more comprehensive view of what’s really in your sample. By capturing and subtracting background images of the membrane, BMI achieves 10x greater contrast than liquid-based measurements such as light obscuration and flow imaging. Aura+ System provides aggregate data without any clogging concerns or the need for cleaning between measurements.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Aura_BMI_achieves_10x_greater_contrast_than_liquid_based_measurements_such_as_light_obscuration_and_flow_imaging_06d3a7349c.jpg" alt="Waters: Aura+ System - BMI achieves 10x greater contrast than liquid-based measurements such as light obscuration and flow imaging." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Aura_BMI_achieves_10x_greater_contrast_than_liquid_based_measurements_such_as_light_obscuration_and_flow_imaging_06d3a7349c.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h4><strong>Get fast, definitive particle identification with three fluorescence channels</strong></h4><p>The Aura+ System comes with three fluorescence channels so you can get the same information from one experiment that would otherwise take three different studies.</p><p>In addition, The Aura+ System definitively identifies different types of particles within the same sample for more reliable decision-making:</p><ul><li>Three fluorescence membrane microscopy (FMM) channels for three different species of organic particles</li><li>Side illumination membrane imaging (SIMI) channel for extrinsic and inorganic particles</li><li>Ideal for applications including polysorbate degradation, particulate contamination, protein &amp; antibody workflows, cell therapy workflows, AAV aggregation, AAV stability, cell therapy QC, and cell viability</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Aura_Cells_protein_aggregate_and_ig_G_via_immunoassay_6c3e43ecc4.jpg" alt="Waters: Aura+ System - Cells, protein aggregate, and igG (via immunoassay)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Aura_Cells_protein_aggregate_and_ig_G_via_immunoassay_6c3e43ecc4.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h4><strong>Obtain clear details with high magnification</strong></h4><p>With the high magnification capabilities of the Aura+ System, you can see more morphological detail of unlabeled particles, enabling decisive discrimination between your lead and undesirable particles.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Aura_Quickly_differentiate_and_enumerate_cells_versus_Dynabeads_quantify_polysorbate_degradation_and_more_b3e24050f2.jpg" alt="Waters: Aura+ System - Quickly differentiate and enumerate cells versus Dynabeads™, quantify polysorbate degradation, and more." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Aura_Quickly_differentiate_and_enumerate_cells_versus_Dynabeads_quantify_polysorbate_degradation_and_more_b3e24050f2.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p>

Waters Aura PTx System for particle characterization

Aura PTx combines BMI and fluorescence microscopy to rapidly detect protein aggregates and polysorbate degradation from just 5 µL of sample.

<p><strong>The Aura PTx System is an innovative analytical platform designed to accelerate protein formulation development and stability screening for therapeutic drug development. Combining Backgrounded Membrane Imaging (BMI) and Fluorescence Membrane Microscopy (FMM) with dual fluorescence channels, the system enables rapid detection, counting, and characterization of protein aggregates and excipient degradation products within a single experiment.</strong></p><p>Unlike traditional imaging methods that rely solely on particle morphology, Aura PTx can distinguish protein and non-protein particles using fluorescence-based identification. The combination of <strong>Thioflavin T (ThT)</strong> and <strong>BODIPY FL C16</strong> staining enables simultaneous assessment of protein aggregation and polysorbate degradation, two critical indicators of biologic formulation stability.</p><p>Requiring only 5 µL of sample and supporting automated 96-well plate workflows, the Aura PTx System is ideally suited for high-throughput formulation screening during early-stage development of therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and other biologics.</p><h3><strong>Key Features</strong></h3><ul><li>Combines BMI and FMM technologies in one platform</li><li>Dual fluorescence channels for simultaneous analysis</li><li>Distinguishes protein and non-protein particles</li><li>Detects and quantifies protein aggregates</li><li>Monitors polysorbate degradation</li><li>Simultaneous protein and excipient stability assessment</li><li>Requires only 5 µL sample volume</li><li>Automated 96-well plate workflow</li><li>High-throughput formulation screening</li><li>No cleaning required between measurements</li><li>Fast sample processing and analysis</li><li>Suitable for Design of Experiments (DoE)</li><li>Supports biologics development</li><li>Early detection of formulation stability issues</li></ul><h3><strong>Technical Specifications</strong></h3><h4><strong>Technology</strong></h4><ul><li>Backgrounded Membrane Imaging (BMI)</li><li>Fluorescence Membrane Microscopy (FMM)</li><li>Dual-channel fluorescence detection</li></ul><h4><strong>Optics</strong></h4><ul><li>Objective: 4×</li><li>Resolution: 1.0 pixel/µm</li><li>Imaging area: 24.6 mm²</li></ul><h4><strong>Particle Detection</strong></h4><ul><li>Detectable size range:<ul><li>1 µm (ECD)</li><li>&lt;5 mm (ECD)</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>Sample Handling</strong></h4><ul><li>Minimum sample volume: 5 µL</li><li>Compatible with 96-well plates</li><li>Optimized for high-throughput screening</li></ul><h4><strong>Analysis Speed</strong></h4><ul><li>BMI read time: 1 minute per sample</li><li>FMM read time: 30 seconds per sample</li></ul><h4><strong>Fluorescence Analysis</strong></h4><ul><li>Thioflavin T (ThT) for protein aggregate detection</li><li>BODIPY FL C16 for polysorbate degradation analysis</li><li>Simultaneous protein and excipient characterization</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_The_Aura_P_Tx_System_tells_you_exactly_what_is_protein_via_Th_T_staining_and_what_is_not_even_in_mixed_particles_9cb34b80b1.jpg" alt="Waters: The Aura PTx System tells you exactly what is protein (via ThT staining) and what is not, even in mixed particles." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_The_Aura_P_Tx_System_tells_you_exactly_what_is_protein_via_Th_T_staining_and_what_is_not_even_in_mixed_particles_9cb34b80b1.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_The_Aura_P_Tx_System_is_the_first_to_use_thioflavin_T_Th_T_and_BODIPY_FL_C16_staining_to_detect_and_quantify_protein_aggregates_and_polysorbate_breakdown_fc113affba.jpg" alt="Waters: The Aura PTx System is the first to use thioflavin T (ThT) and BODIPY FL C16 staining to detect and quantify protein aggregates and polysorbate breakdown." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_The_Aura_P_Tx_System_is_the_first_to_use_thioflavin_T_Th_T_and_BODIPY_FL_C16_staining_to_detect_and_quantify_protein_aggregates_and_polysorbate_breakdown_fc113affba.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h4><strong>Software</strong></h4><ul><li>Particle Vue™ 4.x Software Suite</li><li>Integrated data analysis</li><li>Automated particle identification and characterization</li></ul><h4><strong>Typical Applications</strong></h4><ul><li>Biopharmaceutical development</li><li>Protein formulation screening</li><li>Monoclonal antibodies</li><li>Biosimilars</li><li>Stability studies</li><li>Excipient screening</li><li>Polysorbate degradation monitoring</li><li>Aggregate characterization</li><li>Design of Experiments (DoE)</li><li>Biologics quality control</li></ul>

Waters Aura GT System for particle characterization

Aura GT enables characterization of AAV and viral vectors from just 5 µL of sample, including detection of capsid and DNA aggregates using BMI and FMM technologies.

<p><strong>The Aura GT System is the first dedicated platform designed for the detection, counting, and characterization of viral vectors used in gene therapy, including AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) and lentiviral vectors. Combining Backgrounded Membrane Imaging (BMI) and Fluorescence Membrane Microscopy (FMM) with dual fluorescence channels, the system enables rapid and reliable assessment of viral particle aggregation and stability during early-stage development.</strong></p><p>Requiring only <strong>5 µL of sample</strong>, Aura GT allows characterization even when only limited material is available. Using fluorescent dyes such as <strong>Thioflavin T (ThT)</strong> and <strong>SYBR™ Gold</strong>, researchers can distinguish capsid aggregates from DNA-containing aggregates, identify root causes of instability, and gain valuable insights into viral vector quality.</p><p>The system supports high-throughput 96-well plate screening and enables direct comparison of formulations, AAV serotypes, production lots, storage conditions, and stability profiles. Results that traditionally required months of work can now be obtained within hours.</p><h3><strong>Key Features</strong></h3><ul><li>Combines <strong>BMI and FMM technologies</strong> in one platform</li><li>Specifically designed for <strong>AAV, lentivirus, and viral vectors</strong></li><li>Detects, counts, and characterizes viral aggregates</li><li>Differentiates <strong>capsid and DNA aggregates</strong></li><li>Identifies root causes of aggregation and instability</li><li>Requires only <strong>5 µL sample volume</strong></li><li>Dual fluorescence channels for simultaneous characterization</li><li>High-throughput <strong>96-well plate screening</strong></li><li>Direct comparison of formulations, serotypes, and production lots</li><li>Viral vector stability assessment</li><li>Actionable results within hours</li><li>Eliminates labor-intensive traditional assays</li><li>Optimized for gene therapy development</li><li>High sensitivity and throughput</li></ul><h3><strong>Technical Specifications</strong></h3><h4><strong>Technology</strong></h4><ul><li>Backgrounded Membrane Imaging (BMI)</li><li>Fluorescence Membrane Microscopy (FMM)</li><li>Dual-channel fluorescence detection</li></ul><h4><strong>Optics</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Objective:</strong> 4×</li><li><strong>Resolution: </strong>1.0 pixel/µm</li><li><strong>Imaging area: </strong>24.6 mm²</li></ul><h4><strong>Particle Detection</strong></h4><ul><li>Detectable size range:<ul><li>1 µm (ECD)</li><li>&lt;5 mm (ECD)</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>Sample Handling</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Minimum sample volume: </strong>5 µL</li><li><strong>Compatible with 96-well plates</strong></li><li>Optimized for high-throughput screening</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Get_your_gene_therapy_products_to_market_even_faster_with_Aura_GT_System_195d42d00b.jpg" alt="Waters: Get your gene therapy products to market even faster with Aura GT System." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Get_your_gene_therapy_products_to_market_even_faster_with_Aura_GT_System_195d42d00b.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="522"></p><h4><strong>Analysis Speed</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>BMI read time:</strong> 1 minute per sample</li><li><strong>FMM read time: </strong>30 seconds per sample</li><li>2 fluorescence channels</li></ul><h4><strong>Fluorescence Analysis</strong></h4><ul><li>Thioflavin T (ThT) for capsid aggregate detection</li><li>SYBR™ Gold for DNA detection</li><li>Simultaneous identification of protein and DNA aggregates</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_Identify_root_cause_and_characterize_AAV_particles_at_low_volume_with_Aura_GT_System_c3f1c6a334.jpg" alt="Waters: Identify root cause and characterize AAV particles at low volume with Aura GT System." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_Identify_root_cause_and_characterize_AAV_particles_at_low_volume_with_Aura_GT_System_c3f1c6a334.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="683"></p><h4><strong>Software</strong></h4><ul><li>Particle Vue™ 4.x Software Suite</li><li>Image acquisition and analysis</li><li>Automated particle characterization</li></ul><h4><strong>Typical Applications</strong></h4><ul><li>Gene therapy development</li><li>AAV vector characterization</li><li>Lentiviral vectors</li><li>Stability studies</li><li>Aggregation studies</li><li>AAV serotype comparison</li><li>Formulation screening</li><li>Production lot evaluation</li><li>DNA aggregate analysis</li><li>Viral vector development</li></ul>

Waters Aura CL System for particle characterization

Waters Aura CL rapidly identifies cells, aggregates, and residual Dynabeads™ from just 5 µL of sample while assessing viability and purity in cell therapy workflows.

<p><strong>The Aura CL System is the first dedicated platform designed for rapid identification, counting, and characterization of subvisible particles in cell therapy development and manufacturing. Unlike traditional methods, it can reliably distinguish viable cells, unwanted particles, protein aggregates, and manufacturing-related contaminants such as Dynabeads™, while simultaneously providing cell counts, viability information, and sample purity assessment.</strong></p><p>The system combines <strong>Backgrounded Membrane Imaging (BMI)</strong>, <strong>Fluorescence Membrane Microscopy (FMM)</strong>, and <strong>Side Illumination Membrane Imaging (SIMI)</strong> technologies to deliver fast, automated particle analysis without subjective operator interpretation. Through fluorescence labeling, users can clearly differentiate cellular from non-cellular particles, protein from non-protein aggregates, and various cell populations within complex samples.</p><p>Requiring only <strong>5 µL of sample</strong>, Aura CL supports high-throughput screening and can analyze up to 96 samples in less than one hour, making it an ideal solution for cell therapy development, manufacturing, and quality control workflows.</p><h3><strong>Key Features</strong></h3><ul><li>Combines <strong>BMI, FMM, and SIMI </strong>technologies</li><li>Automated identification of <strong>cells and non-cell particles</strong></li><li>Detection and counting of residual<strong> Dynabeads™</strong></li><li>Cell viability assessment</li><li>Characterization of subvisible particles</li><li>Differentiates <strong>protein and non-protein aggregates</strong></li><li>Distinguishes<strong> cellular and non-cellular particles</strong></li><li>Requires only<strong> 5 µL sample volume</strong></li><li>High-throughput <strong>96-well plate screening</strong></li><li>Fully automated analysis workflow</li><li>Results within minutes</li><li>Supports cell therapy development and manufacturing</li><li>Greater accuracy than manual hemocytometry</li><li>Reduces human interpretation errors</li></ul><h3><strong>Technical Specifications</strong></h3><h4><strong>Technology</strong></h4><ul><li>Backgrounded Membrane Imaging (BMI)</li><li>Fluorescence Membrane Microscopy (FMM)</li><li>Side Illumination Membrane Imaging (SIMI)</li></ul><h4><strong>Optics</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Objectives:</strong><ul><li>4×</li><li>10×</li></ul></li><li><strong>Resolution: </strong>1.0 pixel/µm</li><li><strong>Imaging area:</strong> 24.6 mm²</li></ul><h4><strong>Particle Detection</strong></h4><ul><li>Detectable size range:<ul><li>1 µm (ECD)</li><li>&lt;5 mm (ECD)</li></ul></li></ul><h4><strong>Sample Handling</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Minimum sample volume: </strong>5 µL</li><li>Compatible with 96-well plates</li><li>Optimized for high-throughput screening</li></ul><h4><strong>Analysis Speed</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>BMI read time: </strong>1 minute per sample</li><li><strong>FMM read time: </strong>30 seconds per sample</li></ul><h4><strong>Fluorescence Analysis</strong></h4><ul><li>Cell and non-cell particle identification</li><li>Cell viability measurements</li><li>Protein aggregate detection</li><li>Non-protein particle detection</li><li>Fluorescent antibody and cell labeling applications</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Waters_With_Aura_CL_System_you_can_achieve_high_throughput_and_definitive_identification_of_viable_cells_and_take_the_guesswork_out_of_cell_viability_assessments_a46a5ee8b4.jpg" alt="Waters: With Aura CL System, you can achieve high-throughput and definitive identification of viable cells and take the guesswork out of cell viability assessments." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Waters_With_Aura_CL_System_you_can_achieve_high_throughput_and_definitive_identification_of_viable_cells_and_take_the_guesswork_out_of_cell_viability_assessments_a46a5ee8b4.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="682"></p><h4><strong>Software</strong></h4><ul><li>Particle Vue™ 4.x Software Suite</li><li>Image acquisition and analysis</li><li>Automated particle classification</li><li>Viability and purity assessment tools</li></ul><h4><strong>Typical Applications</strong></h4><ul><li>Cell therapy development</li><li>CAR-T manufacturing</li><li>Cell product quality control</li><li>Residual Dynabeads™ detection</li><li>Cell viability testing</li><li>Cell culture purity monitoring</li><li>Subvisible particle characterization</li><li>Biologics development</li><li>Lot release testing</li><li>Manufacturing process control</li></ul>

Products focused on Particle characterization from Waters distributed by Waters Corporation (Europe) - page 1

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