Refeyn TwoMP Auto mass photometer

Refeyn has announced its Two^MP Auto mass photometer, an instrument for the automatic loading and analysis of biomolecular samples for protein characterisation at the single-molecule level. It provides researchers with automated direct mass measurements of up to 14 samples in 1 h using the sensitivity and simplicity of mass photometry — Refeyn’s novel molecular mass measurement technology.

Mass photometry is a novel tool with the versatility and capability to deliver rapid, simple single-molecule measurement. In addition to offering distinct information on individual particles, mass photometry enables efficient and effective use of existing specialised technologies, for example, in verifying sample quality prior to cryoEM analysis. The technology is said to provide practical benefits over other methods, such as mass spectrometry, size exclusion chromatography and surface plasmon resonance, by removing the need for labels and providing characterisation of biomolecules in solution at the single-molecule level.

The mass photometer is claimed to represent a shift in protein characterisation workflows, enabling scientists to save time and effort through autonomous, label-free analysis of biomolecules in solution with minimal sample consumption. The automation should simplify workflows such as titrations and screening assays, which can be run without operator input, freeing up research time and minimising the chance of human error. Applications of the technology range from purity assessments to interaction analyses.

The Two^MP Auto, which integrates a liquid-handling robot, is operated with Refeyn’s Acquire^MP software. The complete software solution enables the user to define the experimental set-up, collect data, and analyse and visualise the results. The robotics unit can also be retrofitted to the One^MP and Two^MP mass photometers, and is suitable for any task that requires precise, repeated molecular mass characterisation and comparison of different conditions or sample compositions.