”We are very pleased that the NIH, which is an important reference customer, has produced additional positive results in their new study. This also verifies our strategy of using benchtop systems as platforms for developing applications of our technology,” said AcouSort’s CEO Torsten Freltoft.

The article, titled Centrifuge-free cell radiolabeling using acoustophoresis, was authored by Dr. Stephen S Adler. Co-authors are Emma Stevenson, Julia Alsved, Peter L. Choyke and Noriko Sato.

Tracking ex vivo radiolabeled cells using radionuclide imaging such as positron emission tomography is an emerging method for evaluating efficacy of cell-based therapies. Traditional radiolabeling requires multiple centrifugation steps for labeling and removal of unbound radiotracers. With the goal of automating the radiolabeling procedure, Dr. Adler and his team used AcouSorts AcouWash system for the procedure, eliminating the need of using a centrifuge.

The results published in Scientific Reports demonstrate that the radiolabeling can be performed entirely using acoustophoresis, which paves the way for developing a fully automated radiolabeling device based on acoustophoresis technology.

NIH was AcouSort’s first AcouWash customer and purchased the first prototype system in 2017 followed by an AcouWash 2 system in 2023. It has since used the system for demonstrating all important cell wash and up concentration steps in their development of a new method for cancer treatment monitoring.