Insight: Why use Fluorescence with Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis?

Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, view particles using the detection of light that they scatter.
This is a physical detection method and, as a result, does not provide a chemical discrimination. In order to add specificity to particle characterisation, Fluorescent Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (F-NTA) can be employed. This provides specific discrimination or detection of sub populations.

Nanoparticles such as vesicles, can be labelled with a specific antibody bearing a fluorescent molecule (fluorophore). The Particle Metrix ZetaView® is fitted with a slide-in filter to block scattered light from the laser, allowing past only fluorescence of a longer wavelength, generated by excitation of the fluorophores by the laser. Therefore, only the fluorescently-labelled particles will be detected and measured by the camera.