While industry is rapidly shifting from stainless steel vessels and hard-plumbed processes to single-use bioreactors and TFF filters, the transition between the multiple process steps remains complicated and time-consuming, often requiring fluid transfers, disrupting sterile barriers, and cleaning protocols. The simple solution to a complex process is connectivity: a continuous flow-path that interconnects all the process steps by means of a sterile singleuse process manifold. Spectrum Laboratories incorporates process filters, reservoir bags, flexible tubing, and other critical elements into a…

Figure 1. At recent scientific conferences on downstream processing, there was much discussion about the need to reduce process volumes. Many manufacturing sites are space-limited and to take advantage of chromatographic process improvements, they must be made without the need to increase buffer and holding tankage. One significant opportunity to increase process throughput is to replace conventional with higher capacity ion exchange resins. Recently developed high capacity resins allow more protein to be loaded without the need to replace existing…

Bioengineering AG has 30 years of experience in the construction of hygienic plants. Thereby holistic process equipment from the feed line to the valve system for the final cleaning has become the status quo. Our new BioAccessories department focuses on all our components and accessories. Now you do not need a Bioengineering system to be able to use our developments. For special applications we offer the possibility of custom-made or even newly developed parts. Safety with Leak-Proof Couplings: Sterility begins…

The increasing popularity of “single-use” or disposable bioreactors for upstream processing can be understood by considering a typical biotechnology manufacturing facility. The infrastructure required to implement traditional glass/steel bioreactors is substantial, and the time and expense required to validate it can be significant. The requirement that both the bioreactor itself and its ingress and egress tubing use inert materials such as 316-L electropolished stainless steel results in a large capital investment and long lead times for components. In addition to…

Figure 1. Select promising leads earlier in the development process with the Octet RED system’s rapid, highly sensitive detection and label-free analysis of small peptides and small molecules. The Octet RED system’s rapid data acquisition and high sensitivity means that even the fastest reactions and smallest binders will be easily characterized. The Octet RED system shares the advantages of the Octet QK system: BLI technology, no microfluidics, eight-channel parallel processing, walk-away automation of up to 96 samples, and affordability —…

Throughout its 50-year history, WL Gore & Associates has earned its reputation for providing innovative, high-value products such as GORE-TEX® outerwear, Elixir® guitar strings, and GORE-TEX® vascular grafts. Having invented expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), Gore offers an unparalleled level of technical knowledge and experience with this versatile material. This know-how starts with a deep scientific understanding of fluoropolymers, particularly PTFE processing and fluoropolymer development. Gore’s unique technical agility enables the development of a wide range of processes, products, and creative, reliable…

Figure 1. The Newmix-Levtech Magnetic Mixer system is a compact and noninvasive single-use mixing system. Its heart is a mixing bag that incorporates an innovative, bottom-mounted, magnetically driven impeller capable of providing efficient high-torque mixing for all powder-liquid and liquid-liquid mixing applications. The impeller rides on a low-friction, inert bearing assembly designed to ensure low particle shedding while allowing mixing of very high powder loads in large liquid volumes. All product-contacting surfaces are 100% disposable. Introduction Powder-liquid mixing is a…

Microfluidics offers its M-110P Microfluidizer® processor, a benchtop laboratory machine that requires no compressed air or cooling water for hydraulics. Designed to operate reliably, quietly, and efficiently at up to 30,000 psi process pressures, the portable M-110P requires only a standard 20-amp, single-phase “household” electrical outlet and can easily be incorporated into any laboratory setting. Using Microfluidics’ fixed geometry diamond interaction chamber technology and ceramic plunger, the M-110P easily enables the production of nanosuspensions and nanoemulsions, as well as liposomal…

Figure 1. As the pharmaceutical industry focuses on developing biotechnology-derived drugs, bioanalytical groups must produce generic methodologies for antibody characterization with higher throughput and faster sample turnaround times. Although antibody selectivity varies, overall antibody structures are highly conserved. Intact antibody LC/MS analysis is useful for profiling glycovariants and C-terminal Lys processing, and even more information can be gleaned from analysis of a reduced antibody. UltraPerformance LC® (UPLC®) technology permits efficient desalting and rapid LC/MS mass profiling of an intact (4…

Applikon Biotechnology BV (in the Netherlands) and Aber Instruments Ltd. (in the United Kingdom) have entered into an agreement for the exclusive supply of the first integrated bioreactor controller and sensor for viable cells on the market. Applikon Biotechnology will offer the viable cell sensor and controller option in its EZ Control bioprocess controller portfolio designed for the biotechnological and biopharmaceutical industries. The Aber Biomass Monitor uses a unique in situ probe that incorporates four annular ring electrodes to apply…