The science behind InstaScope
University studied, peer-reviewed, & field tested
We didn't build it just for looks.
We built it on hard science and evidence backed by some of the world’s leading research labs and scientists.
How InstaScope Works
Using patented, optical particle recognition technology, InstaScope can see 4 channels including particle size, particle biofluorescence, and intensity of the biofluroesence.
Particles enter the InstaScope wand and flow into the Instrument's chamber.
Inside the optical chamber, particles are sized and 'excited' with Xenon flashbulbs.
The resulting measurements are collected by the InstaScope's onboard chips.
Results are displayed real-time in iPad, with reports available online after uploading.
The InstaScope shines ultraviolet (UV) light at particles and detects autofluorescence at specific excitation/emission wavelengths. Different biological molecules fluoresce at specific wavelengths, allowing us to classify them as biological versus non-biological.
Academic Research
The InstaScope has been a tool for academic research for years since the optical particle recognition technology was originally developed by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence.
Aerosol fluorescence, airborne hexosaminidase, and quantitative genomics distinguish reductions in airborne fungal loads following major school renovations.
Download- Journal
- Indoor Air
- Year
- 2022
- Citation
- Nieto‐Caballero, M., Gomez, O. M., Shaughnessy, R., & Hernandez, M. (2022). Aerosol fluorescence, airborne hexosaminidase, and quantitative genomics distinguish reductions in airborne fungal loads following major school renovations. Indoor Air, 32(1), e12975-n/a. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12975
Direct-Read Fluorescence-Based Measurements of Bioaerosol Exposure in Home Healthcare.
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- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Year
- 2022
- Citation
- Nathu, V. D., Virkutyte, J., Rao, M. B., Nieto-Caballero, M., Hernandez, M., & Reponen, T. (2022). Direct-Read Fluorescence-Based Measurements of Bioaerosol Exposure in Home Healthcare. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3613-. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063613
Evaluating exposure to biological aerosols in home healthcare using a real-time fluorescence-based direct-reading instrument.
- Journal
- Doctoral Dissertation
- Year
- 2022
- Citation
- Nathu, V. D. (2022). Evaluating exposure to biological aerosols in home healthcare using a real-time fluorescence-based direct-reading instrument (Order No. 31604145). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest One Academic. (3101013741). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/evaluating-exposure-biological-aerosols-home/docview/3101013741/se-2
Exposure to traffic-related air pollution and biological aerosols: Effect on the respiratory microbiome and a comparison of measurement methods.
- Journal
- Doctoral Dissertation
- Year
- 2020
- Citation
- Niemeier-Walsh, C. (2020). Exposure to traffic-related air pollution and biological aerosols: Effect on the respiratory microbiome and a comparison of measurement methods (Order No. 29281507). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest One Academic. (2688035638). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/exposure-traffic-related-air-pollution-biological/docview/2688035638/se-2
Bacterial and fungal ecology and emissions associated with air conditioner cooling coils.
- Journal
- Doctoral Dissertation
- Year
- 2019
- Citation
- Bakker, A. J. (2019). Bacterial and fungal ecology and emissions associated with air conditioner cooling coils (Order No. 22589303). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest One Academic. (2394329053). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/bacterial-fungal-ecology-emissions-associated/docview/2394329053/se-2
High fidelity recovery of airborne microbial genetic materials by direct condensation capture into genomic preservatives.
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- Journal of Microbiological Methods
- Year
- 2019
- Citation
- Nieto-Caballero, M., Savage, N., Keady, P., & Hernandez, M. (2019). High fidelity recovery of airborne microbial genetic materials by direct condensation capture into genomic preservatives. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 157, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2018.12.010
Chamber catalogues of optical and fluorescent signatures distinguish bioaerosol classes.
Download- Journal
- Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
- Year
- 2016
- Citation
- Hernandez, M., Perring, A. E., McCabe, K., Kok, G., Granger, G., & Baumgardner, D. (2016). Chamber catalogues of optical and fluorescent signatures distinguish bioaerosol classes. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 9(7), 3283–3292. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3283-2016
Airborne observations of regional variation in fluorescent aerosol across the United States.
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- Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
- Year
- 2015
- Citation
- Perring, A. E., Schwarz, J. P., Baumgardner, D., Hernandez, M. T., Spracklen, D. V., Heald, C. L., Gao, R. S., Kok, G., McMeeking, G. R., McQuaid, J. B., & Fahey, D. W. (2015). Airborne observations of regional variation in fluorescent aerosol across the United States. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 120(3), 1153–1170. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD022495
Microbial aerosol liberation from soiled textiles isolated during routine residuals handling in a modern health care setting.
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- Microbiome
- Year
- 2015
- Citation
- Handorean, A., Robertson, C. E., Harris, J. K., Frank, D., Hull, N., Kotter, C., Stevens, M. J., Baumgardner, D., Pace, N. R., & Hernandez, M. (2015). Microbial aerosol liberation from soiled textiles isolated during routine residuals handling in a modern health care setting. Microbiome, 3(1), 72–72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-015-0132-3