In March, NanoSight began shipping its NS300 nanoparticle characterization system, a smaller and less costly alternative to its NS500. The systems utilize nanoparticle tracking analysis technology based on automated digital microscopy to provide the size distribution and concentration of nanoparticles from 10 nm to 2000 nm in size in liquids. At 23 x 39 cm (9 x 15 in), the NS300 is less than half the size of the NS500. It does not include several components of the NS500, such as pumps for automated sample loading, cleaning and dilution, and modules for dynamic light scattering and zeta potential.

The NS300 includes an optional spinning disc, new to NanoSight systems, which allows for simultaneous multi-fluorescent detection. The disc can be integrated into the NS500. It measures the size distribution and concentration of differently labeled particles emitting at up to six different wavelengths. “You can have several different fluorescent labels that are excited by the same wavelength, but which emit at different wavelengths, so we’re really talking about quantum dots as labels,” said NanoSight CEO Jeremy Warren. “Then you have up to six channels, and you can measure the concentration plus size of the particles for each of those specific fluorescent channels.”

Like other NanoSight instruments, applications for the NS300 include protein aggregation, drug delivery and toxicology research. “The application that is most interesting for the multi-fluorophore capability is exosomes research,” said Mr. Warren. The price of the NS300 ranges from $53,000 to $80,000.