A combination multi-angle light scattering instrument and refractive index detector are combined in line with size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to enable quick determination of parameters such as absolute molecular weight, size, and conformation of macromolecules in solution. In conjunction with ultracentrifugation and DLS, the SEC-MALS arrangement provides complimentary confirmation of biomolecule structure in solution, even extending the range of measurements to apply directly to MegaDalton molecular weight virus capsids which is inaccessible by other direct methods.