Dual-detector systems and methods having utility in biomolecular measurements

A method of light scattering and detection, comprising:

• directing a continuous flow of a solution into and through a sample cell;
• passing first and second light beams into the solution within the sample cell such that the first and second light beams substantially intersect within the solution;
• measuring an associated scattered light intensity via light detected from the first light beam;
• and
• measuring an associated concentration via light detected from the second light beam.

A dual detector cell, comprising:

• a cell;
• a first light source interoperably coupled to the cell to direct a first light beam into the cell;
• a first detector interoperably coupled to the cell to detect light from the first light beam;
• a second light source interoperably coupled to the cell to direct a second light beam into the cell;
• and
• a second detector interoperably coupled to the cell to detect light from the second light beam;
• wherein light is simultaneously detected by the first and second detectors and is used to simultaneously measure light scattering intensity and concentration of a solution in the cell.

A method for characterization of self-association of molecules, comprising:

• a. simultaneous measurement of protein concentration and scattered light intensity in flow mode through a dual detector cell;
• and
• b. quantifying self-association of molecules passed through the dual detector cell based on protein concentration and scattered light intensity measurements relative to modeling data derived from the following equation:
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