Probing recombinant AAV capsid integrity and genome release after thermal stress by mass photometry.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are gaining traction as delivery vehicles for gene therapy although the molecular understanding of AAV-transgene release is still limited. Typically, the process of viral uncoating is investigated () through thermal stress, revealing capsid disintegration at elevated temperatures. To assess the (in)stability of different empty and filled AAV preparations, we used the light-scattering-based interferometric microscopy technique of mass photometry that, on a single-particle basis, determines the molecular weight of AAVs.

Assessing production variability in empty and filled adeno-associated viruses by single molecule mass analyses.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are useful vehicles for gene therapy because of their stability, low immunogenicity. and non-pathogenicity. However, disparity in AAV sample preparations (e.