Labs
Our group has access to the following instruments, which are available in our laboratories or laboratories of partner research institutions.
Particulate/Colloidal Drug Carrier Characterization
Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS
The Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS measures particle and molecular size from below a nanometer to several microns, zeta potential, electrophoretic mobility, and molecular weight. The Zetasizer Nano ZS incorporates three technologies in a single compact unit. Dynamic Light Scattering is used to measure particle size and molecule size. Laser Doppler Micro-electrophoresis is the technique used to measure zeta potential. Static Light Scattering is used to determine the molecular weight of proteins and polymers.
CILAS 1064 Particle Size Analyzer
Cilas 1064 offers a wide range of particle size measurements. Samples are measured in wet mode. The CILAS 1064 measurements rely on laser diffraction, based on Mie and Fraunhofer scattering theories. The CILAS 1064 integrates 2 sequenced laser sources (635 and 830 nm) positioned at 0° and 45°, to produce a diffraction pattern analyzed on a 64 channel silicon detector. Through the software, the distribution curve is represented by 100 classes over the range from 0.04 to 500 μm.
Quantachrome NOVA 1000 Surface Area and Pore Size Analyzer
Quantachrome NOVA 1000 is a rapid, high throughput B.E.T. (relying on the well-known Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller theory) surface area and pore size analyzer. The instrument performs fully automated multi-point B.E.T. surface area analysis in as little as eight minutes, using the classical helium void volume method or via the patented NO Void Analysis™ (NOVA) technology (helium-free method). The instrument is also a pore size analyzer capable of measuring both adsorption and desorption isotherms in a few hours, completely unattended. It analyzes up to 200 data points (100 adsorption points and 100 desorption points).
Micromeritics Poresizer 9320
Micromeritics Poresizer 9320 is a mercury intrusion porosimeter. It collects up to 250 data points using pressures from 0 to 30,000 psia. This allows determination of pore size distributions over a broad pore diameter range from 0.003 to more than 300 µm, i.e. five orders of magnitudes broad.
Spectroscopy
PerkinElmer Spectrum RX I FT-IR System
FT-IR can be routinely used for identification/quality control of raw material/finished products. Spectrum™ RX I is a fast, accurate, and reliable system, ideal for QA/QC applications. The instrument provides rigorous material checking via the patented industry-standard COMPARE™ algorithm. The patented Dynascan interferometer provides immunity to dynamic alignment errors. The sealed and desiccated optics protect moisture-sensitive components and reduce the effect of change in atmospheric absorption. Better than 0.8 cm-1 spectral resolution allows isolation of sharp absorbance bands.
PerkinElmer LS 45 Luminescence Spectrometer
The PerkinElmer LS 45 Luminescence Spectrometer uses a high energy pulsed Xenon source for excitation. The instrument combined with the FL WinLab™ software provides a wealth of tools for collection and analysis of fluorescence, phosphorescence and bio- and chemiluminescence data.
Shimadzu UV 1601 UV-Visible Spectrophotometer
The Shimadzu UV 1601 is a UV/Visible double beam spectrophotometer. The double beam system allows ultimate stability in the UV region. The instrument offers wavelength range of 190 – 1100 nm with 2nm bandwidth and scanning speed ranging from 160 to 3200 nm/min. The instrument operates in a scanning spectrum mode, a kinetics mode, and a quantitative analysis mode.
Spectronic Helios alpha UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
The Thermo Spectronic® Helios alpha UV/Visible spectrometer features a high energy, double beam system for ultimate stability in the UV region. The instrument offers wavelength range of 190-1100 nm with 2nm bandwidth. A 7-position thermostat-ready, automatic cell programmer allows increased sample throughput and parallel kinetics.
Chromatography
Agilent 1260 Infinity Quaternary LC System
The system is composed of:
- the Agilent 1260 Infinity standard autosampler, which offers reliable injections from 0.1 µL to 100 µL,
- the Agilent 1260 Infinity quaternary pump, which offers a maximum pressure of 600 bar and a wide flow range up to 10 mL/min,
- the Agilent 1260 Infinity diode array detector, which offers ultra-sensitivity through the revolutionary Agilent Max-Light cartridge cell with 60 mm optical path length,
- the Agilent 1260 Infinity fluorescence detector, which offers ultra-sensitivity and allows multi-signal and online spectral data acquisition without loss in sensitivity, and
- the Agilent ChemStation for LC 3D System Software Rev. B.04.03(16).
PerkinElmer Series 200 High Performance Liquid Chromatography
The system is composed of the Series 200 autosampler, the series 200 pump, the series 200 vacuum degasser, the series 200 UV/Vis Detector, and TotalChrom® Chromatography Data System software. The autosampler advanced design for injection valve flushing and external needle wash reduces carryover, offering a 0.005% carryover specification. The Series 200 LC Pump offers superior flow rate precision (typically <0.1%), compositional accuracy (typically ±0.50%), and retention-time precision (typically <0.1%) for either isocratic or gradient separations. The Series 200 UV/Vis detector supports the full UV/Vis range from 190 to 700 nm.
PerkinElmer AutoSystem XL Gas Chromatograph
The PerkinElmer AutoSystem XL Gas Chromatograph (GC) is a dual-channel, temperature programmable gas chromatograph. The AutoSystem XL GC is microprocessor Controlled system. The system is equipped with a thermal Conductivity Detector, a dual channel detector which measures the difference in thermal conductivity between carrier gas flowing through a reference channel and carrier gas plus sample through an analytical channel.
Calorimetry
PerkinElmer DSC 6 Differential Scanning Calorimeter
The PerkinElmer DSC 6 Differential Scanning Calorimeter is a heat-flux DSC. Heat flow is determined by measuring a temperature difference over a very accurately known thermal resistance. This analyzer is used to characterize materials, design products, predict product performance, optimize processing conditions, and improve quality. The DSC 6 system permits the direct calorimetric measurement, characterization, and analysis of thermal properties of materials. Under the control of the Pyris Software, the DSC 6 is programmed from an initial to a final temperature through transitions in the sample material such as melting, glass transitions, solid-state transitions, or crystallization. Endotherms and exotherms can be shown as an upward or downward deviation from the baseline. The DSC 6 can also be used to perform isothermal experiments.
Potentiometric Titration
Mettler Toledo DL67 Automatic Titrator
The instrument is equipped with glass pH electrodes, the Mettler Toledo DP550 Phototrode, and the Lab X version 2.a instrument controlling software. Glass pH electrodes are employed in potentiometric titrations. pH titrations have several applications, e.g. determination of concentration, dissociation constant (pKa), and octanol-water or lipid membrane-water partition coefficient of ionizable drugs. The Mettler Toledo DP550 Phototrode is employed in turbidimetric and colorimetric titrations. Applications of turbidimetric titrations include determination of surfactant concentrations and solubilization experiments.
Centrifugation
SIGMA 3-30K Refrigerated Centrifuge
The Sigma 3-30K is a high speed refrigerated bench top centrifuge. It features an efficient cooling system, allowing pre-selection of temperature from -20°C to +40°C. It offers speeds ranging from 20 to 30000 rpm, selectable in steps of 1 rpm, and gravitational fields up to more than 65000 x g.
Sigma 3k30 High Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge
The Sigma 3k30 is a high-speed refrigerated bench top centrifuge for gravitational fields up to more than 60 000 × g. The instrument provides speed range between 100 rpm and 30 000 rpm selectable in steps of 1 rpm. The efficient refrigerating machine provides temperatures between –20°C and +40°C with a possibility of precooling the rotors during standstill.
Testing of Inhalation Products
Copley Next Generation Impactor (NGI)
In the Next Generation Impactor the air flow passes in a saw tooth pattern. Particle separation and sizing is achieved by successively increasing the velocity of the airstream as it passes through each by forcing it through a series of nozzles containing progressively reducing jet diameters. The Next Generation Impactor has seven stages, five of which have cut-off diameters in the range of 0.54 to 6.12 microns at flow rates from 30 to 100 L/min. The impactor horizontal planar layout was adopted for ease of operation and automation.
Testing of Tablets
PHARMA TEST PTWS 600 Dissolution Test Apparatus
The PHARMA TEST PTWS 600 has a 6+2 configuration that is ideal for manual sampling as the tablets test positions are in the front row and the two vessels to the rear of the instrument are reserved for blank and standard.
Copley DTG 3000 Tablet Disintegration Tester
The Copley DTG 3000 Tablet Disintegration Tester complies with the USP and the Ph.Eur. specifications. The instrument features a motor drive operating at a fixed speed of 30 rpm (± 1) and a stroke of 55 mm (± 1). It has the capacity of testing three different batches of six tablets/capsules simultaneously, under identical test conditions.
