Tecan Freedom EVO® & Atoll MediaScout® Protein Chromatography Workstation

Overview

The Tecan Freedom EVO® & Atoll MediaScout® Protein Chromatography Workstation is an integrated, fully automated platform engineered for high-throughput, parallel protein purification using column-based chromatographic methods. It combines TECAN’s modular liquid handling architecture—specifically the Freedom EVO® robotic workstation—with Atoll’s patented MediaScout® RoboColumn™ technology: a standardized 96-well SBS-format array of miniaturized, pre-packed chromatography columns. Unlike conventional HPLC or FPLC systems, this platform operates on batch-mode, gravity- or pump-assisted low-pressure chromatography principles, enabling rapid screening of resin types, binding/wash/elution conditions, and buffer formulations across up to 96 independent samples in a single run. The system is designed for early-stage process development, clone selection, formulation scouting, and purity assessment—applications where speed, reproducibility, and minimal reagent consumption are critical. Its architecture supports both affinity, ion exchange, and size exclusion chromatography modalities, with full compatibility for commercially available chromatographic resins packed into customizable MiniColumn™ geometries.

Key Features

• Modular Freedom EVO® platform with configurable deck sizes (100 cm, 150 cm, or 200 cm), supporting scalable integration of liquid handling, plate transport, and peripheral detection devices.
• RoMa (Robotic Microplate Arm) for precise movement of RoboColumn™ arrays, source plates, collection plates, and auxiliary labware within defined deck zones.
• Te-Chrom automated column holder: mechanically stabilizes the 96-well RoboColumn™ array during operation and synchronizes vertical translation of the collection microplate with fraction elution timing—enabling programmable, time- or volume-triggered fractionation.
• LiHa (Liquid Handling Arm) equipped with eight fixed, washable stainless-steel tips and TECAN’s positive-displacement pipetting technology for high-accuracy dispensing of equilibration buffers, sample loads, and stepwise or gradient elution solutions.
• Dilutor pump system delivering precise flow control down to 16.2 cm/h linear velocity—critical for maintaining consistent binding kinetics and resolution across parallel columns.
• Patented RoboColumn™ inlet design ensures leak-free, pressure-stable fluidic coupling with fixed-tip liquid handlers, eliminating dead volume and enabling reliable sealing without manual intervention.
• Integrated UV-Vis detection capability via optional Tecan Infinite M200 Pro multimode reader for real-time A280 monitoring and post-run concentration quantification directly in collection plates.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The workstation accommodates a broad range of biological samples—including clarified lysates, cell culture supernatants, and purified fractions—with input volumes scalable from 10 µL to 1 mL per column, depending on MiniColumn™ bed height and resin choice. All RoboColumn™ units are pre-assembled in sterile, endotoxin-tested housings and accept standard chromatographic media (e.g., Ni-NTA, Protein A, Q Sepharose, Sephadex G-25) with user-defined packing density and bed height. The platform adheres to laboratory automation best practices aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and ASTM E2500-07 guidelines for method validation. When operated with compliant software configurations (e.g., Freedom EVOware with audit trail and electronic signature modules), it supports regulatory submissions under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements. Full traceability of instrument actions, protocol versions, and raw data files is maintained throughout each run.

Software & Data Management

Control and scheduling are managed through TECAN’s Freedom EVOware software, which provides graphical workflow design, real-time status monitoring, and error-handling protocols tailored for chromatographic applications. Method templates include built-in logic for multi-step buffer switching, timed fraction collection, and conditional branching based on plate reader feedback (e.g., absorbance thresholds). Raw chromatogram data—including time-stamped fraction coordinates, optical density values, and pump parameters—are exported in vendor-neutral CSV and XML formats. Integration with LIMS and ELN systems is supported via ODBC and RESTful API interfaces. Audit trails record all user logins, protocol modifications, and execution events with immutable timestamps—ensuring full compliance with GLP and GMP documentation standards.

Applications

• High-throughput resin screening for monoclonal antibody purification optimization.
• Parallel evaluation of elution pH, salt gradients, or chaotropic agents across 96 conditions.
• Clone-level expression and purification profiling in upstream bioprocess development.
• Buffer exchange and desalting of multiple protein variants prior to analytical characterization.
• Preparative-scale fraction pooling decisions guided by on-plate A280 quantification.
• Method transfer from analytical to preparative scale using geometrically scaled MiniColumn™ dimensions.

FAQ

Can I use my own chromatographic resins with the MediaScout® RoboColumn™ array?
Yes. RoboColumns are supplied empty or pre-packed according to your specification—including resin type, ligand density, and bed height—and are compatible with all major commercial media vendors.
Is gradient elution supported?
Yes. The Dilutor pump and LiHa arm enable precise, sequential delivery of up to 12 different buffer compositions, simulating linear or step gradients across all 96 columns simultaneously.
What is the minimum recoverable fraction volume?
Fractions can be collected in increments as low as 25 µL per well in standard 96-well microplates, preserving sample integrity for downstream MS or functional assays.
Does the system require external compressed air or vacuum sources?
No. All fluidic operations—including column equilibration, loading, washing, and elution—are driven solely by the integrated Dilutor pump and gravity-assisted flow paths.
How is column regeneration handled?
Regeneration protocols—including high-salt washes, acidic/basic stripping, and storage buffer exchange—are fully programmable and executed automatically as part of the method sequence.