Nanoparticle Metrology
At the Nanoparticle Metrology Lab, we build tools to measure complex populations one particle at a time. Biological nanoparticles like extracellular vesicles and viruses are defined by a mix of size, shape, charge, and internal content. Standard methods fail to capture this diversity because they rely on ensemble averages, which wash out the unique traits of individual particles. We measure multiple properties of every particle and correlate them to resolve this multiparametric heterogeneity.
Our platform, interferometric Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (iNTA), combines high-speed tracking with interferometric detection to measure size and refractive index simultaneously. We are expanding this technology to include measurements of additional chemical and electrical properties, allowing us to correlate even more data points per particle. Additionally, we plan to sort nanoparticles based on a combination of their properties, allowing us to isolate rare or high-value particles from a background of billions.
This platform will be applied to high-impact challenges in nanomedicine and diagnostics, including liquid biopsies for cancer detection and the development of gene therapies. Beyond healthcare, our single-particle metrology approach serves as a valuable tool for quality control in advanced manufacturing and contamination detection in food processes.