Waters' Acquity UPLC H-Class Bio System is said to advance macromolecule analysis by optimising characterisation of biomolecule structures and supporting their progression to viable biotherapeutics.
Powered by the Acquity UPLC H-Class platform with a flow-through-needle sample manager and quaternary solvent manager, the system performs multiple chromatographic techniques that are needed to characterise complex biomolecules.
It features an inert flow path and leverages Waters' Auto Blend Plus Technology to optimise the analysis of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and glycans.
Powered by robust UPLC capabilities, the Acquity UPLC H-Class Bio System has the flexibility to perform four chromatographic modes on a single system: reversed phase, ion exchange (IEX), size exclusion (SEC) and hydrophilic interaction (HILIC).
Scientists can now perform all required assays for robust protein characterisation on a single UPLC system.
For example, the Acquity UPLC H-Class Bio System is said to be ideally paired with Waters' bioseparations technology columns: the Acquity UPLC BEH200 SEC column - the first UPLC analytical size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) solution for the characterisation of proteins and their aggregates - and the Protein-Pak Hi Res IEX column - designed for the analysis of biomolecules including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, DNA/RNA and vaccine components.
These proprietary columns combine with the system to provide orthogonal analytical separations necessary to fully characterise a protein therapeutic.
In addition to system flexibility, UPLC users reported the need to design a new system with materials that address the challenges associated with macromolecule analysis.
Accordingly, the Acquity UPLC H-Class Bio System is constructed with inert, corrosion-resistant materials.
Consequently, the system is suited for the high-ionic-strength aqueous conditions commonly used for protein separations.
Additionally, the flow path has been tested to ensure that it minimises undesirable protein interactions and leaching of materials into the mobile phase.
Waters' Auto Blend technology is a key enabler to ensure mobile phase compositions and gradients are automatically blended to achieve the optimum retention and selectivity requirements.
Blend Plus is a patented software technique that maximises separation selectivity by managing solvents and concentration gradients - by per cent gradient composition as well as by pH and ionic strength - with the Acquity UPLC H-Class Bio System quaternary solvent manager.
The system blends solvents and buffers on demand to optimise methods and accurately transfer methods to other laboratories with minimal variability.