Customizable automation streamlines protein purification

Isolating and purifying proteins from complex biological mixtures is crucial for gaining insights into their structure, function, and interactions. These insights drive advancements across drug development, diagnostics, and life sciences research. As our understanding deepens, refining purification methods to deliver biologically active, contaminant-free proteins becomes increasingly important.

Cytiva’s family of ÄKTA^™ chromatography systems offer an innovative solution designed for lab-scale protein purification. These systems combine user-friendly software, robust hardware, and compatibility with diverse chromatography techniques, providing speed and flexibility for both research and process development. Offering reproducibility, scalability, and high purity, ÄKTA systems are trusted by researchers and biopharmaceutical professionals striving for precision in protein purification.

Why automate your protein purification workflow?

Traditional protein purification methods often pose challenges that can slow progress and limit productivity. Purification is often time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring meticulous manual effort that can lead to inconsistencies and errors. In high-throughput labs, speed, reproducibility, and precision are vital—manual workflows can struggle to meet these demands. They also risk contamination or sample loss, especially when handling delicate or high-value proteins, and rely heavily on skilled personnel, presenting obstacles in environments with high staff turnover. Scaling up these processes for larger volumes or complex multistep purifications adds further strain, creating bottlenecks that hinder efficiency and reliability.

Automation transforms protein purification by addressing these challenges head-on. Automated workflows improve speed by streamlining processes and eliminating repetitive, labor-intensive tasks, allowing researchers to focus on higher-value activities. Automation creates accuracy by minimizing human errors and enhancing reproducibility—key factors for scientific rigor and reliability. Additionally, automated systems maintain the integrity of valuable samples, reducing the risk of contamination, degradation, or loss. In short, automation boosts efficiency and supports the integrity and reliability of the protein purification process.

Automated protein purification made easy

To fully harness the potential of automated protein purification, it's crucial to choose a system that meets your specific needs. Cytiva’s ÄKTA™ systems—such as the ÄKTA go™, ÄKTA pure™, and ÄKTA avant—combine automation with advanced purification techniques, making the process faster, more scalable, and more reliable.

Automation simplifies complex workflows, such as tandem purification, which combines affinity and size exclusion chromatography. Systems like ÄKTA avant automate this process, improving purity while reducing the number of steps—ideal for sensitive proteins like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

For labs needing to boost efficiency, the ÄKTA^™ go^™ system allows parallel purification, processing multiple samples simultaneously without compromising quality. This system also supports parallel experimentation with different purification strategies, helping to fine-tune methods for optimal results.

When dealing with more complex purification needs, the ÄKTA^™ pure^™ system offers flexibility to transition seamlessly between stages, ensuring that proteins maintain their functionality—a crucial factor for therapeutic proteins.

Combining automation with advanced purification strategies, ÄKTA™ systems consistently deliver high-quality results. Whether working on small-scale research or scaling up for industrial applications, automated purification ensures biologically active proteins are produced efficiently.

Watch this on-demand webinar to learn how you can optimize your chromatography workflows and automate your ÄKTA™ system for even greater efficiency.

Automation add-ons unlock further potential

Cytiva provides a range of customizable features to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of ÄKTA™ systems. These systems combine advanced hardware and software capabilities, helping researchers achieve more with less.

Integration of hardware like the ALIAS autosampler minimizes manual errors and accommodates sample volumes from 1 μL to 10 mL. For larger sample sets, scheduling multiple runs is straightforward. Integrated cooling options and compatibility with Design of Experiments (DoE) make it ideal for high-throughput labs. Sample pumps and inlet valves ensure efficient loading and washing, reducing carry-over and preserving sample integrity. This level of automation helps researchers achieve reproducible, high-quality results with minimal hands-on time.

ÄKTA™ systems are adaptable. For example, the ÄKTA pure™ model supports up to 10 buffer outlets, while the ÄKTA avant model supports up to 31 outlets, making management of complex workflows—like large-scale fraction collection or rapid buffer exchanges—smooth and seamless.

When handling intricate purification challenges, ÄKTA™ valve systems offer exceptional flexibility. These valves enable precise adjustments to flow paths, allowing customization of the system to specific needs. Features like parallel flows, tandem purification, and inline dilution expand the range of possible applications, helping tackle advanced tasks such as multi-column chromatography and component screening.

UNICORN^™ 7 software enhances protein purification with intuitive, real-time control. It allows users to plan, monitor, and analyze purification runs efficiently. Integrated with ÄKTA™ systems, UNICORN™ features a method editor for quick method creation and a column logbook with barcode scanner integration to ensure traceability. The Evaluation module simplifies result analysis with customizable visualization options for faster decision-making.

Case study: Automation in ADC manufacturing

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are transforming cancer therapy by targeting and destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. High-quality mAb production is essential for the efficacy, safety, and consistency of ADCs. Protein purification directly affects the quality, purity, and stability of mAbs.

Purifying proteins removes impurities that could trigger immune responses, reduce binding efficiency, or increase off-target effects, compromising ADCs' effectiveness and safety. This ensures reproducibility across production batches, maintaining regulatory compliance and consistency, vital for patient safety. Additionally, a pure mAb ensures stable conjugation with the cytotoxic drug, preserving therapeutic potential and extending shelf life.

Automation supports both small-scale research and large-scale manufacturing of ADCs, ensuring consistent quality even as demand grows. Incorporating automation early in the purification process ensures that ADCs meet high standards, offering hope for new, effective cancer treatments. Explore further interviews with ADC experts here to gain deeper insights into the field.

Next steps to optimized protein purification

Cytiva offers resources to help optimize your protein purification workflows, including online learning courses, comprehensive handbooks with troubleshooting tips, and best practices. The Fast Trak™ program at Cytiva provides expert consultation and training tailored to your challenges, ensuring the seamless adoption of new tools and techniques. Additionally, gain personalized support from your local chromatography specialist and a dedicated service team committed to meeting your unique needs. Leveraging these resources and the full capabilities of your ÄKTA™ system will help you optimize your processes, improve productivity, and achieve the optimal results.