Biopharmaceutical development increasingly requires faster and more reliable analytical tools for monitoring molecular changes across large numbers of samples. From formulation screening to protein stability studies, researchers need methods that deliver meaningful molecular insight without adding complexity to workflows.
Traditional approaches often rely on labels, dyes, or destructive assays, while conventional Raman spectroscopy can struggle with fluorescence interference in biological samples. High-throughput screening (HTS) workflows also require automation, repeatability, and efficient data handling.
To meet these needs, Timegate Instruments developed the Microplate HTS System, combining automated microplate measurements with Timegated® Raman spectroscopy. The system enables rapid, label-free Raman analysis directly from standard well plates while suppressing fluorescence for reliable spectral quality.
In biopharmaceutical R&D and quality control, understanding subtle molecular-level changes is critical. Early protein unfolding, aggregation, and formulation instability may not be visible through traditional screening approaches until later stages of development.
High-throughput Raman screening offers several advantages:
These capabilities support applications ranging from formulation development and stress testing to process optimization and early stability assessment.
At IFPAC 2026, we presented a case study demonstrating how the Microplate HTS System can detect pH-induced conformational changes in albumin using Timegated® Raman spectroscopy.
The study focused on identifying structural changes associated with protein unfolding and aggregation using Raman spectral markers such as Amide regions and aromatic side-chain markers. Multiple replicates per condition were measured in a high-throughput well-plate format, improving statistical confidence and trend detection.
The results demonstrated:
The work highlighted the value of automated Time-gated Raman HTS for early stability assessment and formulation screening without dyes or destructive assays.
During our HTS webinar in January 2026, attendees raised practical questions about fluorescence, automation, measurement speed, and applications. A key discussion topic was fluorescence interference in biological samples, which Time-gated Raman addresses by separating Raman signals from fluorescence to deliver clearer spectra from challenging materials.
Participants were also interested in automation and reproducibility. The Microplate HTS System measures wells automatically using a motorized stage, with measurement data linked to well position for reliable traceability and high-throughput workflows. Since the webinar, HTS software capabilities have evolved further, now enabling mapping measurements within each well for improved sample characterization and reproducibility.
Questions also covered applications such as protein analysis, microalgae screening, and complex biological matrices, highlighting growing interest in Raman-based HTS approaches across biotechnology and life sciences.
A major benefit of automated HTS workflows is improved consistency between measurements. Automation reduces manual handling, minimizes operator-dependent variability, and supports comparable Raman fingerprints across wells and conditions.
The bottom-up measurement geometry used in the HTS system also offers practical advantages for biological samples:
As biopharmaceutical development continues to accelerate, analytical technologies must keep pace with increasing demands for speed, scalability, and molecular insight. By combining fluorescence suppression, automation, and label-free molecular analysis, Timegate’s Microplate HTS System opens new possibilities for biopharma R&D, process monitoring, and early-stage stability assessment.
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