There are a number of important areas in research and industry where particles are analysed, not least within the Life Sciences. It is especially important to be able to distinguish different particles from each other, as well as to be able to determine their size. Determining the size distribution of heterogeneous or mixed samples, and even being able to identify the particles, has long been a challenge. With Holtra’s technology, the process becomes more efficient and accurate.
The challenge and the solution
Holtra has developed a technology to detect different particles, distinguish them from each other and determine the size of the particles. Holtra focuses on three main areas and develops the technology especially towards companies and research institutions that operate in these areas. However, this does not mean that the technology cannot be applied in other areas, such as the food industry, hygiene & cosmetic products, pigments and inks, petrochemicals, mineral and cement, industrial nanoparticles and water analysis.
The core focus is currently on applications in the Life Sciences. The first business area of interest is protein-based medicines, or biomedicines based on large molecules. Proteins have a tendency to agglomerate and form larger clusters. The challenge is that these clusters can cause side effects for the patients.
“Developers of protein-based drugs spend a lot of energy developing formulations that prevent proteins from forming these clusters, work that requires extensive particle analysing. It has previously been difficult to see protein aggregates that are smaller than one micrometer since they have very low density, and thus also distinguish them from other particles. The interest in a complete technology that solves all these challenges is therefore great, and one of our main drives for developing our technology”, explained Holtra CEO Fredrik Eklund.
Solving problems in one of the most important areas in clinical research
The second major business area is to accurately detect viruses and extracellular vesicles (EV). The latter is a type of virus-like particles excreted by all living cells, and currently a very hot research topic, much related to its role as a biomarker which can be used for diagnosis of for example cancer.
Detection of viruses is and will be of enormous importance in medical research as well as in clinical diagnosis now, and in the future. A great number of detection methods have been devised, ranging from the very quick and simple to the very advanced, but there is still much room for improvement and Holtra has a novel and very promising method to propose.
Most methods for virus detection are indirect and involve detecting DNA/RNA or antibodies, or studying the effect of the virus on cells in a cell culture.
“Molecular-based methods, such as PCR and ELISA and Western blot, can detect residues of DNA/RNA even after an infection has ended, but do not accurately measure the concentration of intact virus particles in a sample. This is a major challenge that we aim to address”, highlighted Fredrik Eklund.
Holtra’s method addresses the identified shortcomings of the existing molecular methods, and labels viruses with nanoparticles of gold rather than fluorescent dyes. The virus particles are then detected selectively with Holtra’s unique holographic particle tracking method. This is extraordinary in that it has never been done before, despite the need for a more precise and accurate method.
Analysing Drug Delivery particles
The same method has proven useful for detection of other small particles, for example exosomes, which are small particles of similar size as virus and which are produced by live cells.
Exosomes have the potential to be used as biomarkers in for example cancer diagnosis and can also be produced in cell cultures for use as drug delivery vehicles. Exosomes is currently a very hot research topic, which makes it even more desirable to pursue for innovation-driven companies such as Holtra. Therefore, the third business area is Drug Delivery using LCT and small particles.
Holtra is currently refining the tools needed to apply the same technology and method within Drug Delivery development.
