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Services

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Luna Nanotech offers a range of analytical, characterization, and custom synthesis services that include ICP-MS elemental analysis, novel nanoparticle synthesis, surface functionalization, design of DNA-mediated assembly structures, and nanomaterial characterization.

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To get more information about any of these services, please contact us.

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ICP-MS Elemental Analysis

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Luna Nanotech has extensive expertise in performing Inductive Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) elemental analysis of samples from a range of sources, such as biological tissues and organs, environmental samples, consumer products, pharmaceutical products, chemical solutions. ICP-MSis a highly sensitive technique that can provide trace metal analysis with part per billion (ppb) to part per trillion (ppt) sensitivity. Multiple elements can be analyzed simultaneously, which provides a more comprehensive characterization profile and allows multiple questions to be answered in the same ICP-MS analytic run.

 

Our core expertise lies in analyzing and quantifying the elemental biodistribution in organs and tissues in animal models. Such analysis can be used to characterize spatial and temporal distribution of nanomaterials, or to identify the presence of toxic elements or substances acquired through diet or environmental exposure. You simply send us the organs or tissues that need to be analyzed, and we take care of everything else: tissue digestion, sample preparation, elemental analysis, and send you the final results. We can also use our expertise to assist you in interpreting these results.

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Here is the list of some ICP-MS Analytical Services provided by Luna Nanotech:

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  • nanoparticle organ and tissue biodistribution in animal models

  • trace elemental organ and tissue biodistribution in animal models

  • heavy metal contamination

  • quantification of trace metals and compounds in water samples

  • testing of pharmaceutical products, consumer products, polymers, chemical solutions

  • identification of unknown compounds.

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Luna Nanotech offers highly competitive prices for our analytical services. Below you can find the price list for ICP-MSanalysis of elemental biodistribution in biological tissues and organs. For the quotation for ICP-MSanalysis of other sample types, please contact us.

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Price-list for ICP-MS Elemental Trace Analysis in Biological Organs and Tissues:​

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​​NOTE: Complete sample digestion / preparation is included in the cost. The price is given for the analysis of a single element (e.g. Au or Zn) in a sample of a regular size (< 2 g solid or < 5 mL liquid). For additional surcharges for larger or harder to digest samples, please see the table below.​​

​                         * The surcharge may be increased further for very large samples.

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Our services were used in the following studies
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​Molina, R. M., Konduru, N. V., Queiroz, P. M., Figueroa, B., Fu, D., Ma-Hock, L., et al. (2019). Fate of Barium Sulfate Nanoparticles Deposited in the Lungs of Rats. Nature Publishing Group, 9(1), 8163.

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Nanoparticle Characterization

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​Luna Nanotech provides complete nanoparticle characterization services. These include determination of such parameters as size, shape, and surface charge of nanoparticles, availability and binding kinetics of surface ligands, and composition of surface adsorbed biological molecules.

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  • Z-average and Z-potential measurement using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)

  • Absorbance spectrum characterization using UV-Vis spectrometry

  • Fluorescence spectrum characterization using a Fluoromax scanning fluorometer

  • Nanoparticle magnetization measurement by Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID)

  • Nanoparticle and microparticle size characterization using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA)

  • Nanoparticle concentration quantification using Inductive Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis

  • Nanoparticle visualization using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

  • Measurement of composition of biological molecules adsorbed onto nanoparticle surface by Mass Spectrometry (MS) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

 
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Custom Nanoparticle Synthesis and Surface Functionalization

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Luna Nanotech provides custom services to develop novel nanoparticle formulations and synthesis strategies. Our expertise includes working with a wide range of nanoparticle types:

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  • including inorganic metal nanoparticles (gold, silver and iron oxide)

  • semiconductor fluorescent quantum dots

  • polymer nanoparticles

  • lipid-based nanoconstructs (liposomes and micelles).

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We also develop methods to functionalize nanoparticles with a variety of surface chemistries and cell and tissue targeting ligands. This include coating the nanoparticle surface with:

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  • polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules with a range of terminal groups (e.g. methoxy, carboxyl, amine)

  • positively and negatively charged small molecules (e.g., citric acid, zwitterions)

  • peptides

  • proteins

  • antibodies

  • nucleic acids.

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Synthesis of DNA-mediated Nanoparticle Assemblies

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The team in Luna Nanotech has unique expertise in developing DNA-based nanoparticle assembly structures. These constructs combine precise spatial positioning capabilities of DNA nanostructures with physicochemical properties of multiple nanoparticle types to generate structures that can dynamically respond to their environment. Assembled nanoparticles offer unique advantages for the fields of biosensing, drug delivery, and photothermal therapy.

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Nanoparticle Characterization

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Luna Nanotech provides extensive services in nanomaterial characterization. These include determination of such parameters as size, shape, and surface charge of nanoparticles, availability and binding kinetics of surface ligands, and composition of surface adsorbed biological molecules.

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