Waters/Wyatt miniDAWN™ Multi Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Detector

Overview

Molar Mass

The miniDAWN determines absolute molar mass and size to characterize proteins, peptides, small polymers and nanoparticles in solution. Coupled to size exclusion chromatography (SEC or GPC), it eliminates the uncertainty and hassle of column calibration, for true confidence in macromolecular characterization.

Superb Sensitivity

The miniDAWN not only offers superb sensitivity—it further enhances productivity thanks to greatly enhanced field serviceability and easy data analysis with One-Click M_w™ .

Compatible with ASTRA™ 

The miniDAWN is accompanied by ASTRA, the most versatile software package available for analysis of online multi-angle and dynamic light scattering. ASTRA and the miniDAWN incorporate advanced ease-of-use features that help guarantee excellent measurements with a single click.

Product Description

Molar mass, absolutely

Wyatt's miniDAWN is most often used in conjunction with size exclusion chromatography (SEC-MALS) or field-flow fractionation (FFF-MALS) to determine distributions of molecular weight, size and composition. No need to make assumptions about molecular conformation or ideal column interactions.

Characterize:

• Proteins, small peptides and oligonucleotides
• Synthetic and natural polymers
• Nanoparticles, virus-like particles and vesicles

Measurement Range:

• MW from 200 Da to 10 MDa
• r_g  from 10 to 50 nm, up to 150 nm with shape-specific models
• sensitivity down to 25 ng of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF, injected on a standard GPC column

Waters: The miniDAWN determines molecular weight independently of column calibration. Here MALS shows that the earliest-eluting molecule does not have the highest molar mass.

The miniDAWN's performance is exceeded only by the DAWN™ which covers a wider range of size and molecular weight, with even better sensitivity and additional optional modules.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Included

Each miniDAWN includes an embedded COMET™ ultrasonic transducer that cleans the flow cell automatically by agitating the fluid and loosening particles from the glass surfaces.

Modularity = Productivity

The miniDAWN incorporates a fully modular design. Each module can be tested independently by the software to verify that it is functioning correctly. This imparts nearly complete field serviceability, since malfunctioning modules can be replaced and validated on-site by service engineers with no further calibration or alignment.

The miniDAWN is also field-upgradeable: the embedded WyattQELS™ DLS Module for measuring hydrodynamic radii from 0.5 to 50 nm can be installed on-site as well as in new units shipped from the factory.

Not just SEC-MALS...

Wyatt's miniDAWN may be used in batch (off-line) mode or in conjunction with a Calypso™ CG-MALS system for characterization of average solution properties as well as macromolecular interaction properties including protein-protein binding affinity and complex stoichiometry.

Simplicity personified

With miniDAWN and ASTRA™, SEC-MALS became a whole lot easier. Sample-specific methods are set up in three short steps with ASTRA's Method Wizard, and new capabilities for automatic data processing mean that it takes just one click from your sample to a full report of the molecular weight and size results.

The miniDAWN's System Ready monitor will even let you know when the system is fully equilibrated with low baseline noise, ready to run.

Specifications

Measurement Capabilities

• Molar Mass Range:
  200 Da to 10 MDa for proteins; up to 1 MDa for linear polymers (depending on dn/dc, sample concentration, and chromatography conditions).
• Molecular Size (Radius of Gyration, Rg):
  Approximately 10 nm to 50 nm, extendable up to 150 nm with shape-specific modeling.
• Hydrodynamic Radius (Rh):
  • Flow mode: 0.5 nm to 50 nm (optimal at flow rates ≤ 0.3 mL/min)
  • Batch mode: 0.5 nm to 1 µm (requires WyattQELS™ module or DynaPro™ NanoStar™ with fiber optic connection)
• Sensitivity:
  Detects as little as 25 ng of 100 kDa polystyrene in THF or 500 ng of BSA in PBS using a standard 7.8 mm x 300 mm SEC column with no post-column filter.

Fluidics and Compatibility

• Mobile Phase Compatibility:
  Compatible with both aqueous and organic solvents.
• Wetted Materials:
  316 stainless steel, fused silica, and Kalrez.

Optical System and Detectors

• MALS Detectors:
  Three high-gain, high dynamic range photodiodes at fixed angles.
• Auxiliary Detectors:
  • Laser monitor for stability control
  • Forward transmission monitor for absorbing samples and data quality evaluation
• Dynamic Range:
  3,300,000:1
• Optional DLS Detection:
  • Integrated WyattQELS™ module within the miniDAWN chassis
  • External fiber optic connection from DynaPro™ NanoStar or Mobius™ DLS-ELS instruments

Laser Specifications

• Wavelength:
  658 nm ± 4 nm
• Power Control:
  Programmable from 10% to 100%

Temperature Control

• Sample Temperature: Ambient

Electronics and Connectivity

• Analog Inputs:
  2 differential inputs, 24-bit resolution, ±10 V range
• Analog Outputs:
  1 output from a selectable measurement channel, ±10 V range
• I/O Ports:
  Alarm in/out, auto-inject control, Orbit™ recycle valve support
• Computer Interface:
  Ethernet
• Data Rate:
  Up to 36.6 Hz

User Interface and Display

• Front Panel:
  7” (178 mm) high-resolution multi-touch display for real-time signal viewing, diagnostics, and settings

Instrument Dimensions

• Size: 58 cm (L) x 36 cm (W) x 18 cm (H)

Other MALS Instruments

• DAWN™ - The most sensitive MALS detector available, anywhere. Incorporates detectors at 18 angles to determine molar masses from 200 Da to 1 GDa and radii from 10 – 500 nm.
  • Standard option: ambient temperature
  • Heated/cooled option: -15 °C to +150 °C
  • High-temperature option: ambient to +210 °C
  • The DAWN offers special options to handle fluorescent samples: fluorescence-blocking filters and an infrared, 785 nm laser.
• microDAWN™ - The first MALS detector for UHPLC, with interdetector dispersion as low as 1.5 µL. Incorporates detectors at 3 angles to determine molar masses from 200 Da to 20 MDa and radii from 10 – 50 nm. Ambient only.
• ultraDAWN™ - Measures multi-angle light scattering and reports the results – weight-average molecular weight M_w  and rms radius R_g  – in real time.