BioScale launched its ViBE Protein Analysis Workstation in September. The system is available in two versions: the eight-sample microanalyzer, which is a manual version, and the fully automated workstation for 96-well plates, both of which are priced between $50,000 and $100,000. The systems are based on BioScale’s Acoustic Membrane and Microparticle (AMMP) technology, said BioScale COO Chip Leveille.

The system is composed of a MEMS (microelectromechanical sensor) chip, functionalized universal surface and magnetic microparticles with bound detection antibody. It relies on an immunoassay sandwich format utilizing a capture agent affixed to magnetic microparticles. In a fluidic cartridge, the sample flows across a vibrating membrane sensor, where a magnet attracts the microparticles, allowing binding to the universal surface by the target analyte. This creates a change in the sensor’s resonant frequency, which also occurs when the magnetic field is released, and the bound analytes that remain attached begin to diffuse into the solution. The measured changes in frequency directly correlate to the concentration of the analyte bound to the surface.

Mr. Leveille said that the system is designed for the detection of proteins in complex matrices in analytical applications, as well as in bioprocess applications like impurity testing. The flexible workstation, he said, allows users to adjust different aspects of their assays to get the highest performance in a very short amount of time.