Techology Note

High Throughput ZetaView® System vs High Cost of Other Methods

Introduction

In addition to using Nano Particle Tracking Analysis (NTA) to measurement the size distribution and concentration of EV samples, both Microfluidic Resistive Pulse Sensing (MRPS) and the Single Particle Interference Reflectance Image Sensor (SP-IRIS) methods have been widely used as an alternative means of  characterizing EVs. In this note, we relay two specific cases for using the ZetaView® NTA system to achieve relative “high-throughput” analysis of many EV samples, along estimations of throughput for MRPS & SPIRIS methods for an equivalent number of samples; further, we establish realistic estimates for the high cost of ownership for operating MRPS & SP-IRIS systems as a result of the cost of consumables as well as  the substantially greater amount of time spent to run the same number of samples.

Case 1: ZetaView® Customer in North Carolina

Table 1 shows our calculation of how it is possible to complete 32 EV samples in 1 hour. In addition, we report the time required to run 10x single sample analyses (not triplicate), shown in Table 2. There is a reasonable agreement between the estimated time for running 32 samples and the time needed to run 10 standard samples (i.e., on a per sample basis). Further, although acquiring only single analyses would appear to avoid the requirement of collecting data in triplicate, our method produces results that are statistically overdetermined, given that we automatically measure 11 unique sub-volumes per sample, while in the cell of samples.

Table 1: ZetaView® Throughput: Case 1, run 32 samples in 1 hour
Table 1: ZetaView® Throughput: Case 1, run 32 samples in 1 hour
Table 2: Validation of Time-to-Result for Case 1 & 2 conditions
Table 2: Validation of Time-to-Result for Case 1 & 2 conditions

Case 2: ZetaView® Customer in Florida

Recently, a new customer of ours indicated that they ran 100 EV samples in a single day. While that isn’t a typical workload, it does illustrate what is possible with our highly-efficient and automated NTA system.

The first question arises: Is this claim exaggerated? Secondly, is this possible if sample data is collected in triplicate? Table 2 shows the actual amount of time required to run 10x samples in triplicate with the ZetaView® system (288 sec/sample). In alignment with this directly measured sample rate, Table 3 shows
our calculations for the total estimated time to run 100 samples in triplicate, in a single day, using a batch mode SOP with the ZetaView® software. This task, while strenuous and probably requiring a few breaks, is clearly possible within less than 10 hours.

Table 3: ZetaView® Throughput: Case 2, Run 100 samples in 1 day
Table 3: ZetaView® Throughput: Case 2, Run 100 samples in 1 day

MRPS: Calculations via Vendor Recommendation

At a recent MRPS vendor webinar, it was suggested by the presenter that all three cartridge size ranges be used to characterize an EV sample. Run in triplicate, that is 9 cartridges per sample. Users of MRPS confirm that it takes at least 10 minutes per run for each cartridge, usually closer to 15. Based on these simple metrics, Table 4 shows our calculations of the cost and time spent to run 32 & 100 samples, which is 48 hours and 6 ½ days, respectively.

Both our time and cost estimates are likely very conservative, as we didn’t factor in the handling time for changing cartridges, nor the time & cost for either clogged or failed cartridges (which require a do-over; customer report that both instances occur regularly), and we used a run-time estimate of only 10 mins rather than 15 minutes/cartridge.

Table 4: Calculations for cost of MRPS usage for EV analysis
Table 4: Calculations for cost of MRPS usage for EV analysis

Given the high cost to run samples in triplicate ($72), and the amount of time to do so (90 mins), it should be clear that the money saved by spending less on the MRPS system, relative to a ZetaView® unit, is quickly spent within the first year of ownership, especially for high-rate users.

SP-IRIS: Time & Cost to Run 32 samples

In addition to the significant cost of buying an instrument in order to measure EVs with SP-IRIS, there is a substantial cost for the sample chips, as well as a greater amount of time needed to run samples, relative to using the ZetaView® system.

The steps required for data collection & analysis are described in detail in publications using SP-IRIS. Sample incubations are usually done overnight, with a standard time of 16 hours. Our cost estimates are based on the list price ($50) of a human tetraspanin chip (note: flexible chips for custom capture are priced >2x
more), sold in kits of 16 chips. The reader system scans the chips @ Qty = 16/tray (older systems scan only 9/tray). Table 5 provides an estimation of cost & time for running 32 & 96 samples. While not as expensive to operate as MRPS units, this method is still costly relative to using the ZetaView® system, given the initial
cost of a reader system.

Table 5: Calculations for cost of chip usage for SP-IRIS analysis
Table 5: Calculations for cost of chip usage for SP-IRIS analysis

Summary

We’ve detailed how it is possible to run many EV samples within a short period of time, using a ZetaView® system. Further, our NTA systems use only low-cost consumables: standard oral syringes.

In the case of MRPS, while many consider the cost of the instrument inexpensive, relative to NTA, the cost of ownership soon becomes prohibitive for a lab that needs to run a significant number of EV samples.

For labs using SP-IRIS, the cost of operation would break the bank if many routine samples need to be run (@ 100/week). Realistically, most labs that use the SP-IRIS method also have an NTA system, as it is necessary to obtain both total particle counts along with more robust measurements of EV concentration in addition to studying captured populations of EVs.

Update

Recent EV analyses completed with the newest ZetaView® software (now more optimized for data collection efficiency) indicate that sample throughput is now > 25% faster than the results reported in this note.

Download

Related Articles
Technology

High Throughput ZetaView® System vs High Cost of Other Methods

In addition to using Nano Particle Tracking Analysis (NTA) to measurement the size distribution and concentration of EV samples, both Microfluidic Resistive Pulse Sensing (MRPS) and the Single Particle Interference Reflectance Image Sensor (SP-IRIS) methods have been widely used as an alternative means of characterizing EVs. In this note, we relay two specific cases for using the ZetaView® NTA system to achieve relative “high-throughput” analysis of many EV samples, along estimations of throughput for MRPS & SPIRIS methods for an equivalent number of samples; further, we establish realistic estimates for the high cost of ownership for operating MRPS & SP-IRIS systems as a result of the cost of consumables as well as the substantially greater amount of time spent to run the same number of samples.

Read More
15. October 2022
Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis |Particle Metrix ZetaView® Icon Colocalization
Colocalization

Principles of Colocalization-NTA

Platinum Presenter Talk at ISEV 2022 in Lyon Dr. Clemens Helmbrecht NTA is a multi-parameter technology Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) is well known for measuring

Read More
26. May 2022

+49 (0)8143-99172-0

Headquarter

+49 (0)8143-99172-22

Support

Contact Form Sliding Bar
  • Step 1
  • Step 2

What can we do for you?

Your Contact Data

Please let us know how we can reach you. We will get in touch with you shortly.

Search

Cookies

Sie haben die Möglichkeit zu verhindern, dass von Ihnen hier getätigte Aktionen analysiert und verknüpft werden. Dies wird Ihre Privatsphäre schützen, aber wird auch den Besitzer daran hindern, aus Ihren Aktionen zu lernen und die Bedienbarkeit für Sie und andere Benutzer zu verbessern.