Software

Automated chromatography systems

Many life science labs and manufacturers rely on chromatography, which separates target biomolecules from complex mixtures by various means, for analytical or preparative purposes. Chromatography can be used to isolate proteins such as antibodies, nucleic acids such as DNA or mRNA, and viruses such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) from other molecules. Researchers and biomanufacturers can use automated chromatography systems to simplify workflows, repeat processes, and improve turnaround time. These systems come with chromatography software that ensures efficient method development. When implementing or switching an automated system, consider scalability, speed, and security. Users’ needs may change with time, but user-customizable protocols allow increased flexibility.

Uses for automation in chromatography

Chromatography automation helps improve consistency and saves researchers and biomanufacturers time. Benefits of automated protein purification systems include:

• Automation helps control chromatography conditions for the reproducibility of results.
• Automated systems require minimal user intervention during the run.
• They can provide inline detection.
• These systems enable the autonomous collection of purified proteins in desired volumes.
• They use chromatography software for easy method development and data processing.

Chromatography software

Chromatography data systems are dedicated data-collection tools that facilitate instrument control, data processing, report generation, and archiving. Chromatography software is a program that collects and analyzes results delivered by chromatography monitors and detectors. Labs or facilities that perform regulated testing for quality control, pharmaceutical development, or manufacturing often use networked client-server CDS for increased integrity and security. This software allows the laboratory to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and internal quality processes.

UNICORN™ software from Cytiva comes with an intuitive user interface that offers an interactive process picture for easy evaluation and control. This flexibility enables you to adjust your system and CDS to match your requirements. This system also allows you to share workflow methods and results. When selecting chromatography software, consider your needs for information sharing and data security.

Chromatography software in analytical workflows

• Analytical testing: Chromatography data systems play a major role in instrument control and data processing steps to generate results and reports.
• Instrument setup: Chromatography software can be used to coordinate the setup of instruments such as pumps, autosamplers, and detectors.
• Sample sequence setup: Software helps set up sample sequences indicating names, vial positions, and injection volumes.
• Data acquisition: Chromatography software monitors detector signals in real time.
• Data processing: CDS helps with integration, calibration, and report generation.
• Data archiving: All raw and meta-data from the CDS gets archived, backed up, and secured for increased traceability and integrity.

UNICORN™ chromatography software modules

• Method Editor: provides an easy interface to create or modify methods
• System Control: lets you perform and monitor the run in real time
• Evaluation: supports data analysis and report generation
• Administration: used to set up user access, view logs, and manage inbuilt database
• Integrated tools such as Design of Experiments (DoE), Column Handling, and BufferPro extend across the different modules, helping to increase productivity

Chromatography software FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about chromatography software.

What does chromatography software do?

Chromatography software automates chromatography run planning, running, and data collection and analysis, reducing user error to ensure that workflows run smoothly.

What kind of software is used for liquid chromatography?

Automated liquid chromatography systems from Cytiva use UNICORN™ software.