Analytical Services for Viral Analysis and Characterisation

Intertek ASG Laboratory, Manchester, UK

Viral Analysis and Characterisation

Bio / Clinical Sample Handling Facility

Intertek ASG can handle Class I and Class II Biological Agents, as stated within the European Community Directive - Classification of Infectious Biological Agents by Risk Group (2000/54EC).

Intertek ASG have recently commissioned a bio / clinical sample handling facility. The facility has been designed to handle recombinant genomic materials for the purposes of research or diagnosis including clinical or diagnostic specimens from any human or animal material.

Viral Vector Characterisation

A common problem in the management of viral material is the tendency for aggregation and particle formation upon extended storage. Analytical techniques are required to study the propensity of solutions to form aggregates and to allow the investigation of the effect of conditions encountered during manufacture and storage.

Viral Aggregation States:

Application of MALLS to study aggregation states of live viral products as part of stability trials
Intertek ASG’s considerable competence in High Resolution Electron Microscopy can be applied to the study of protein and viral aggregation states

Viral Characterisation Capabilities

Other viral characterisation capabilities include:

LC and LCMS studies on whole virus to profile the viral proteome
Viral proteome fingerprinting by MALDI-MS with SDS-PAGE and HPLC (MALDI useful for proteins up to around 150 KDa)
Separation of empty capsids from intact viral particles by anion exchange chromatography
Protein composition of empty capsids by HPLC
Digestion of isolated proteins followed by LCMS and / or MALDI-MS to give more complete and conclusive identification of viral protein