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Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis Technology Facilitates Cancer Metastasis Research

Malvern Panalytical
13 Nov 2012

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NanoSight, leading manufacturers of unique nanoparticle characterization technology, reports on the breakthrough cancer metastasis research of Dr. Hector Peinado Selgas and Dr. David Lyden's research team from Weill Cornell Medical College.

Lead study author Dr. Peinado, Instructor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell, describes in his recent published research work in Nature Medicine* with senior author Dr. Lyden's research group how they were able to gain better understanding and characterization of exosomes, secreted nanoparticles from tumor cells.

"In our laboratory, we are interested in analyzing the role of tumor-secreted exosomes in metastasis. We have recently published a study describing how exosomes secreted from melanoma tumor cells are educating bone marrow derived progenitor cells toward a pro-metastatic phenotype. We are also interested in analyzing the use of exosomes as biomarkers of specific tumor types and their use as prognostic factors, on which Cornell University currently has pending patents on this technology."

"We have found that the protein content per exosome is increased in metastatic melanoma patients. In addition, we have observed that metastatic cell lines also have increased protein content per exosome. Therefore, knowing the number of exosomes was a definitive and necessary step in our research. Before this work, we were only following qualitative changes in exosomes. Now we are able to make quantitative analyses using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis technology. This has facilitated our recent research work."

"Prior to using NTA, I was measuring exosome size by electron microscopy. There was no other technique available. The new technology allows us to analyze millions of particles, particle by particle, in minutes giving not only numbers but also population distribution. Although the measurement of the size of the particles is not as accurate as the electron microscopy, NTA does allow us to process a large number of samples in a short time period."

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Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ProteomicsProteomics is the systemic bioinformatics study of proteins and amino acids, including their structure, size, function and identification. 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Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gene Expression and Molecular CloningMolecular cloning is a set of techniques that utilizes vectors to transfer recombinant DNA into host cells and is an essential tool for investigating the expression of genes and proteins in bacterial or mammalian cells. A variety of vectors optimized for gene cloning and expression in a range of host organisms are available, alongside competent cells for genetic replication. Here, you can explore a range of molecular tools, high-quality genomic and cDNA libraries, premade clones, transformation and transfection reagents and mutagenesis or gene expression detection assays and expression arrays. Find the best gene expression and molecular cloning products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :In Vivo Imaging Systems<i>In vivo</i> imaging systems, including pre-clinical imaging systems and medical imaging systems are used to non-invasively visualize and capture images of live animals and plants. Monitor the natural processes or diseases of your subjects using small-animal pre-clinical imaging systems, including single photon positron emission tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (micro-CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray radiography, ultrasound, fluorescence and bioluminescence imagers. Multimodal systems and software solutions are also available for correlative analysis of organ, tissue, cell, or molecular-level processes. Find the best in vivo imaging products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Electron MicroscopyElectron microscopes (EM) are used to create high-resolution images of samples at the nanoscale by means of an accelerated beam of electrons as a source of illumination. 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Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis Technology Facilitates Cancer Metastasis Research