Particle Metrix GmbH is a German-based technology company specializing in nanoparticle characterization and analysis systems.
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Inning am Ammersee, the company develops high-precision instruments that combine Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) with fluorescence detection, enabling detailed measurement of particle size, concentration, and surface properties. Its systems are widely used in life sciences, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, virology, and nanotechnology, with applications ranging from extracellular vesicle (EV) research and virus detection to drug delivery and quality control.
By integrating advanced lasers, cameras, and AI-driven software, Particle Metrix helps researchers and industry partners gain deeper insights into nanoscale particles, driving innovation in healthcare, diagnostics, and materials science.
At the forefront of nanoscience, researchers are rethinking how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance measurement technologies without undermining the foundations of physics.
“The fundamentals haven’t changed in over a century—the Stokes-Einstein equation still governs how particles move,” one expert noted. “AI doesn’t replace measurement; it improves sensitivity, detects errors, and helps ensure reliability.” Advances in lasers, cameras, and computational power have already accelerated nanoparticle tracking, reducing analysis times from 20 minutes to near real time.
Now, AI is being integrated to spot instrument drifts and outliers, especially in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environments where consistency is critical.
A major breakthrough came during the COVID-19 pandemic: scientists began using these systems to measure viruses directly. For the first time, viruses could be observed “alive,” offering faster and more precise insights than traditional methods.
This capability is now extending into extracellular vesicle (EV) research, where tiny biological carriers are being studied for their role in communication between cells.
The implications for medicine are striking. Early-stage work shows EVs can reveal cancer biomarkers in fluids like urine, potentially transforming prostate cancer screening.
Clinical trials are also exploring EV-based treatments for wound healing, including therapies for burn victims and soldiers injured in combat. “We’re already seeing vesicles accelerate recovery in clinical tests,” a researcher explained.
Still, most applications remain in basic research, with about 90% of users in academic labs.
Cosmetics firms have adopted the technology more quickly, given lighter regulations, but the pharmaceutical industry is expected to follow.
“The real leap will come when big pharma embraces this for cancer and regenerative medicine,” the expert predicted. Beyond healthcare, applications range from agriculture—helping plants resist viruses—to technical uses such as polymer testing and even detergent-free washing machines powered by nanobubbles.
Yet, with rapid adoption comes caution. The researchers compared AI’s risks to autonomous vehicles: powerful but potentially dangerous if mismanaged. “With big data, you must set boundaries,” one warned. “AI opens possibilities, but without safeguards, it can be harmful.” Despite these challenges, optimism remains high. “We’re only at the beginning,” the scientist concluded. “In five to ten years, nanoparticle tracking combined with AI could reshape how we diagnose disease, develop drugs, and even rethink daily life technologies.”
Looking ahead, they predicted rapid growth in pharma and biotechnology, where EVs could play a central role in drug development and regenerative medicine.
Agriculture and plant-virus research are also on the horizon, though still in early experimental phases. “The fundamentals may be old, but the applications are entirely new,” the researcher concluded. “With AI and advanced detection tools, we are opening doors to treatments and diagnostics that were unimaginable just a decade ago.”
