Instruments

Waters semi-prep HPLC system with PDA detector

The Waters semi-prep HPLC system is ideal for purifying samples from micrograms to milligrams. Equipped with a highly sensitive 2998 PDA detector and a 2767 sample manager that can collect large amounts of sample, this system provides a high throughput way for rapid sample purification.

Specifications and Features:

2D and 3D spectral analysis

High spectral resolution: 1.2 nm

Flexible sampling rates: 1 to 80 Hz

Sample collection capacity: up to 15 microtiter plates or 580 test tubes

Automated sample injection.

Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) Systems (X2)

Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) is often used to analyze or purify mixtures of proteins. The ÄKTApurifier FPLC system is a fully automated liquid chromatography system designed for protein purification, characterization, and collection, wherein proteins of various sizes can be readily purified using different kinds of columns. In addition, this system is also ideal for lipoprotein-based, liposome-based nanoparticle purification.
There are two ÄKTApurifier FPLC systems in the facility. Both systems are equipped with UV, pH, and conductivity detectors. The purified samples are collected through an automated fraction collector. In addition, one system is equipped with an autosampler for automated sample injections. The facility also provides several types of prep grade columns for the FPLC systems.

Specifications and Features:

UV spectral range: 190 to 700 nm

Multiple wavelength detection: up to 3

Conductivity range: 1 µS/cm to 999.9 mS/cm

pH range: 0 to 14 pH units

Collection tube format: 12 mm (i.e. 15 mL falcon tube), 18 mm, 30 mm, 96-well microplates.

Flow rate: 0.001 to 10 mL/min

Injection volume: maximum 5 mL

Columns available in the facility: HiLoad XK 16/70 Superose 6 pg and HiLoad 16/600 Superdex 200 pg

Waters Prep 150 HPLC system with UV/Vis detector

The Prep 150 HPLC System is the perfect fit-for-purpose solution for the rapid isolation and collection of your valuable complex samples with complete confidence. This system allows for sample purification and scale methods from analytical to prep. In the facility, the Prep 150 HPLC system is equipped with a 2489 UV/Vis detector, which is the most sensitive and versatile dual-wavelength absorbance detector available for HPLC, with a design that combines a high energy Deuterium source, a precise optical design, and low-noise, high-speed electronics.

Specifications and Features:

Mobile phase mixing: binary or quaternary

Flow rates: up to 150 mL/min.

Sample injection mode: manual or automated

Purification capacity: Sample loads of milligrams to grams (with up to 50 mm column I.D.)

Software: ChromScope

UV/Vis linear range of 2.5 AU enables the identification and quantitation of both major and minor components in the same run

Dual wavelength montioring

Sampling rate: 1 to 80 Hz

Optima™ XE Ultracentrifuge

Ultracentrifugation is a method used to separate species within a solution according to density. Because of its "ultra" speed, ultracentrifugation are commonly used in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology to separate molecules with very small density differences. Applications of ultracentrifuges include the separation of small particles such as viruses, viral particles, proteins and/or protein complexes, lipoproteins, RNA, and plasmid DNA. It can also be used for the purification of nanomedicine.

The Optima™ XE ultracentrifuge from Beckman Coulter is an integrated ultracentrifugation unit that is simple to use, increases productivity, and reduces error. It is equipped with intelligent user interface, multi-layered BioSafety features, and provides energy efficiency.

Specifications and Features:

Maximum speed: 90,000 rpm

g force: 694,000 x g

Set speed: 1,000 to 90,000 rpm in 100-rpm increments

Set temperature: 0 to 40 °C in 1 °C increments

Set time: Up to 999 hours, 59 minutes

RV 10 auto pro V-C Complete

A rotary evaporator can be useful in a lipid synthesis processing for removing solvents or other volatile components from lipid solutions. In addition to the rotary evaporator RV 10 auto, the package includes the heating bath HB digital with a capacity of 4 liters, the vacuum pump VACSTAR digital and the recirculating chiller RC 2 lite. All components and connections required for operation are included.

Agilent 1260 Infinity Bio-Inert HPLC

The 1260 Infinity II Bio-Inert LC is a dedicated solution for analysis of large biomolecules in biological samples, including monoclonal antibody (mAb) and protein analysis. Metal-free components in the sample flow path and the absence of iron and steel in solvent delivery lines ensure the integrity of your biomolecules, minimize unwanted surface interactions.
Specifications and Features:

Resistance to corrosion with high salt concentrations and extreme pH values;

A bio-inert and bio-compatible system with a metal-free flow path and metal-free column;

High pressure and higher flow rate: 60MPa, and maximum 10mL/min;

Configured with a fraction collector, ideal system for oligonucleotides (such as a chemical synthesized siRNA) components purification.

4150 TapeStation System

The Agilent 4150 TapeStation provides several key types of quality control (QC) data for mRNA tests:

1. RNA Integrity Number equivalent (RINe): This score assesses the integrity of RNA samples. A higher RINe indicates better RNA quality, which is crucial for reliable downstream applications.

2. RNA Sizing and Quantification: The system measures the size and quantity of RNA fragments. This helps in determining the concentration and distribution of RNA in the sample.

3. Electropherogram and Gel Image: The TapeStation generates electropherograms and gel-like images that visually represent the RNA sample's quality. These images show distinct peaks for 18S and 25S rRNA, which are indicators of RNA integrity.

4. Quantitative Precision and Accuracy: The system provides data on the precision and accuracy of RNA quantification, ensuring that the measurements are reliable and reproducible.

These QC metrics help ensure that mRNA samples are of high quality, which is essential for successful downstream applications like sequencing or gene expression analysis.

Microfluidic Flow System

The Elveflow OB1 microfluidic control system offers several advantages when it comes to synthesizing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs):
1. Precision and Stability:
○ Elveflow OB1: Utilizes piezoelectric regulators for highly precise and stable flow control, reducing pulsation and ensuring consistent flow rates.
2. Flow Rate Range:
○ Elveflow OB1: Capable of handling a wide range of flow rates, from microliters per minute to tens of milliliters per minute, making it versatile for both small-scale and large-scale production.
3. Reproducibility:
○ Elveflow OB1: Provides highly reproducible results due to its precise control, which is crucial for clinical and industrial applications where consistency is key.
4. Automation and Throughput:
○ Elveflow OB1: Supports automated processes and high-throughput production, which can significantly speed up the synthesis process and reduce manual intervention.
5. Mixing Efficiency:
○ Elveflow OB1: Utilizes microfluidic mixing techniques that ensure rapid and efficient mixing of reagents, leading to more homogeneous and monodisperse LNPs.
Overall, the Elveflow OB1 microfluidic control system offers superior precision, stability, and efficiency, making it a better choice for LNP synthesis.

Tribute™ Peptide Synthesizer

The Tribute™ peptide synthesizer is a revolutionary instrument from Protein Technologies. With its compact benchtop design and simple setup, the Tribute™ is perfect for the novice, while its powerful features and flexibility make it perfect for the advanced peptide chemist. With never-before-seen features like its full-color, chemical-resistant touchscreen and unique Intellisynth UV-Monitoring and Feedback Control system, the Tribute™ will revolutionize the way peptides are made.

Specifications and Features:

Synthesis scale: 0.005 - 2.0 mmol (up to 2.1 g of resin per reaction vessel)

Reaction vessels: 2 (10 mL, 45 mL)

Solid phase synthesis (e.g. peptide, peptoid, PNA, DNA, combinatorial, small organic molecules)

Reagents/solvents: 5 pressurized solvents (1 to 4 L each), 101 position amino acid rack, barcode scanning of amino acid vials

UV-monitoring and feedback

Lipid Purification

Lipid Purification
Flash chromatography with an evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) is a powerful tool for lipid purification because it allows for rapid, efficient separation of lipids from other biomolecules in a sample. It is often used in lipid research and other fields where purification of complex mixtures is required. The facility provide with a BUCHI Pure C-815 Flash system for lipids product purification.

Specifications and Features:

Flow rate (flash mode): 250 ml/min

Pressure range (flash mode): 0 – 50 bar

UV - Vis wavelength range: 200 ─ 800 nm

Detector: ELSD

OMNI-Lab Glovebox system

The OMNI-Lab glovebox system provides a sealed container to allow for the manipulation of objects in a highly pure inert atmosphere. The inert gas (nitrogen) in a glovebox is pumped through a series of treatment devices which remove solvents, water and oxygen from the gas. In addition, this system is equipped with integrated purifier, controls, display and stand for real-time monitor and control of pressure and moisture level.

Specifications and Features:

Gas purification system capacity: 20 L of oxygen and 2.3 kg of water absorption

Menu driven interface controlled via an operator touch screen graphical display

Three adjustable shelves

Built-in programmed control of purifier regeneration and lab pressure

Built in system diagnostics

Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectropolarimeter

Circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry enables the determination of protein folding (secondary and tertiary structure), the study of conformational stability of a protein and determination of whether protein-protein interactions alter the conformation of a protein.

The J-815 CD spectropolarimeter from Jasco represents the highest performance attainable in a CD system combining unparalleled optical throughput and an updated 32 bit software for control and analysis. This system will be used to study lipoprotein-like nanoparticles and recombinant protein ligands.

Suitable Options:

Linear Dichroism

Optical Rotatory Dispersion

Total Fluorescence

Scanning EM Fluorescence

Fluorescence detected CD

Stopped-Flow CD

Absorbance

Stopped-flow luorescence

Chiral HPLC detection

Magnetic CD and Near Infrared CD

Specifications and Features:

Spectral range: 163 to 1100 nm

Measure both CD and UV/Vis

Auto-scale mode for data acquisition

MerMade 6/12 Oligonucleotide Synthesizer

The MerMade 6/12 oligonucleotide synthesizer is designed to synthesize DNA, RNA and LNA oligonucleotides in a column format using standard or modified chemistry. The MerMade 6/12 is ideal for a lab requiring maximum flexibility, and has been placed in many universities, pharma and diagnostic companies operating in cGMP environments. The machine is available in a 6 or 12 column configuration with up to 20 amidite positions. It is capable of making a combination of standard, degenerate, and modified oligos in the same run with various scales.

Specifications and Features:

Production scale: 20 nmol to 200 μmol

Amidite ports: 10 to 20

6 to 12 columns

Run time: < 2 hrs for 12 columns of DNA 20mers

Mixed backbone capability (phosphorothioate and phosphodiester)

Bar code reader

Trityl Monitoring

Zetasizer Pro-Red

The Zetasizer Pro-Red is a popular dynamic light scattering (DLS) system from Malvern. It is an easy-to-use system and is commonly used to measure the size (hydrodynamic diameter), polydispersity, molecular weight and zeta potential of the sample.

Measurement modes:

Size measurement

Zeta potential measurement

Molecular weight measurement

Kinetics and trend measurements

Specifications and Features:

Size range: 0.3nm to 10 um

Zeta potential range: -150 to 150 mV

Molecular weight range: 1000 to 2 x 107 Daltons

Laser wavelength: He-Ne 633 nm

Sample volume: 12 to 500 μL for size, 1mL for zeta potential

Temperature range: 2 to 90 °C

Evaluation of gene expression or gene knock down level Real-Time PCR (qPCR)

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), or quantitative PCR (qPCR), is a versatile technique that is used to amplify and simultaneously detect and quantify target nucleic acid sequences.

The StepOnePlus™ real-time PCR system from Applied Biosystems is a 96-well real-time PCR instrument perfect for both first-time and experienced users. With intuitive data analysis and instrument control software, this system is designed to deliver precise, quantitative real-time PCR results for a variety of genomic research applications.

For messenger RNA detection, reverse transcription is required prior to qPCR. The Veriti 96-Well Thermal Cycler from Applied Biosystems is a versatile instrument that provides such feature. In addition, this thermal cycler allows for fast RT-PCR for users who are unable to perform qPCR on their samples.
Applications:

Gene expression analysis

Protein expression

MicroRNA expression

SNP genotyping

Viral load analysis

Translocation analysis

Specifications and Features for StepOnePlus™ real-time PCR system:

For real-time PCR (qPCR) purposes

Format: 1 x 96-well plate, 96 x 0.1 mL tubes, 12 x 8-tube strips

Reaction volume: 10-30 µL

Temperature range: 4-100 °C

Run time: < 2 hrs/run in standard mode, < 40 min/run in fast mode

Calibrated dye: VIC®, TAMRA™, NED, ROX™, SYBR® Green I, FAM™, JOE™

Optics: 4 emission filters, Photodiode, Blue LED excitation source

Specifications and Features for Veriti® 96-Well Thermal Cycler:

For RT-PCR or cDNA synthesis purposes

Format: 1 x 96-well plate, 96 x 0.2 mL tubes, 12 x 8-tube strips

Reaction volume: 10-80 µL

Temperature range: 4-99.9 °C

Touch screen

DelsaMax™ Pro Particle Characterization Instrument

One of the fastest nanoparticle analyzers, the DelsaMax™ Pro from Beckman Coulter allows for the simultaneous analysis of both particle size and zeta potential for sample volumes as small as 45 μl, in less than one second. With an unprecedented 32 detectors working simultaneously, the instrument provides much reduced run time and increased measurement accuracy.

Specifications and Features:

Size range: 0.4 to 10,000 nm, hydrodynamic diameter

Molar mass range: 5×107 g/mol (Da)

Minimum sample volume: 45 μL (170 μL for zeta potential)

Minimum measurement time: 1 second

Ion strength range: 0 to 50 mS/cm

Mobility range: no practical limit

ACQUITY® UPLC System with PDA eλ, ELS Detectors, or MS Dectector

Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) is a significant advancement over the conventional high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that achieves dramatic increases in resolution, speed and sensitivity in liquid chromatography. The UPLC technology allows users to work at higher efficiencies with a much wider range of linear velocities, flow rates, and backpressures.

The facility is equipped with two UPLC systems from Waters. The ACQUITY® UPLC system with PDA eλ and TQD detectors allows users to characterize their formulations with 2D/3D spectroscopy light absorbance as well as their molecular weight. The PDA eλ detector allows users to detect and quantify lower concentrations of sample analytes and compare spectra across a broad wavelength range, while the TQD detector features the highest levels of tandem quadrupole MS selectivity, robustness, speed, and accuracy. The second ACQUITY® UPLC system with PDA eλ, and evaporative light scattering (ELS) and detectors allows users to characterize their formulations with 2D/3D spectroscopy light absorbance, improved lipid detection. The ELS detector complements the PDA eλ detector by providing enhanced sensitivity for the detection of semi-volatile components and low peak dispersion such as lipid-based nanomedicine.
Specifications and Features:

The PDA eλ detector:

Wavelength range: 190 to 800 nm

PDA signal linearity range: up to 2.0 AU

Simultaneous 2D and 3D operation

Able to quantitate trace impurities

The ELS detector:

60° scatter angle detection to minimize stray light and optics polarization for long-term optimal sensitivity

Nanogram-level detection limits

Improved detection for semi-volatile compounds

Able to detect lipids

Optimized MS/MS detection
MS ionization options:

Electrospray and multi-mode ionization

Atmospheric chemical ionization

Dual-mode atmospheric pressure photo-ionization / atmospheric chemical ionization interface

Thermo Scientific NanoDrop One Spectrophotometer and Qubit 4 Fluorometer

The NanoDrop One Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer and the Qubit 4 Fluorometer together allow researchers to obtain the most complete information about the concentration and quality of your DNA, RNA or protein samples—helping to prevent costly troubleshooting downstream. While both the NanoDrop One spectrophotometer and the Qubit 4 fluorometer offer accurate measurements of DNA, RNA and protein samples, each also has its unique advantages.

Specifications and Features for NanoDrop One UV-Vis Spectrophotometer:

No sample carryover;

Accurate measurements up to 27,500 ng/µL (dsDNA);

No need for cuvettes or consumables needed;

Specifications and Features for Qubit 4 Fluorometer:

Fast and highly accurate quantitation of DNA, RNA, and protein;

High levels of accuracy using only 1–20 μL of sample;