ProteinMaker: your questions on high-throughput protein purification answered

The ProteinMaker system is built for parallel preparative purification of proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids. It is especially valuable for therapeutic antibody research, protein drug discovery and biopurification applications where reproducibility and speed are essential.

The system supports a wide range of biomolecules, including monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, recombinant proteins, enzymes and DNA/RNA samples. It can purify as little as a few milliliters or scale up to over a liter per run and per channel, giving labs the flexibility to work on early screening projects or mid-scale production with the same platform.

The ProteinMaker works with standard chromatography columns from virtually any supplier. Typical column sizes include 1 mL and 5 mL columns, but it can also accommodate larger formats up to 30 mL depending on the application. Affinity, ion exchange (IEX), hydrophobic interaction (HIC), size exclusion and IMAC columns can all be integrated into a single system.

Parallel purification dramatically increases throughput compared to traditional single-column systems. Multiple samples, buffers or protocols can run simultaneously, reducing total run time and speeding up method development. This enables labs to test more conditions, samples and candidates and identify optimal purification strategies earlier in the process.

No. Each channel operates independently. Whether you are running a handful of samples or fully loading all available channels, the ProteinMaker adapts. This flexibility allows you to handle different sample types, buffer conditions or separation methods in one integrated workflow.

The ProteinMaker features intuitive software that allows you to set up and manage runs easily. Methods can be applied to single columns or groups of channels. Once programmed, the system functions as a true walk-away solution, freeing up your time for data analysis or other tasks.

Yes. Integrated dual-wavelength UV detection (280 nm and/or 254 nm) provides real-time monitoring of fractions, ensuring accurate pooling and higher reproducibility.

An automated fraction collector compatible with standard 24-well or 96-deep-well plates comes with the standard proteinmaker layout, with an optional cooling module to protect sample stability during collection.

Yes. Routine washing, cleaning-in-place (CIP) and column regeneration steps can be programmed into the system. This minimizes hands-on time and helps maintain consistent performance across runs.

Absolutely. Because the system uses standard chromatography principles, conditions optimised at bench scale translate reliably to pilot or production systems, reducing the risk and time involved in scale-up.

Yes. The ProteinMaker can automate complex, multi-step workflows such as affinity capture followed by desalting, ion exchange or HIC polishing. Independent channels and flexible programming allow you to orchestrate these steps seamlessly without manual transfers.

The system can interface with liquid handlers and other downstream tools, enabling end-to-end automation of buffer exchange, pooling, or secondary purification steps. This creates a continuous workflow that minimizes bottlenecks and manual intervention.

Purity levels above 95% and high yields are common, comparable to or better than traditional single-column systems. This ensures sufficient, high-quality protein for downstream assays or process development.

Standard protein characterisation techniques such as analytical SEC (aSEC), CE-SDS, LC-MS, UPLC-SEC-MALS and glycan profiling are routinely applied to confirm quality and consistency.

Every ProteinMaker system is delivered with on-site installation and training, a one-year warranty, technical support and ongoing software updates, ensuring your team can quickly maximize the instrument’s capabilities.