Cytiva ÄKTA™ go Chromatography System

Overview

The Cytiva ÄKTA™ go Chromatography System is a compact, benchtop-scale liquid chromatography platform engineered for routine protein purification in academic, biotech, and quality control laboratories. Built upon Cytiva’s decades of expertise in Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC), the system implements classical chromatographic separation principles—including gel filtration (size exclusion), ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and affinity chromatography—through precise fluidic control, real-time multi-parameter monitoring, and reproducible gradient generation. Its modular wet-side architecture positions all critical components—including pumps, valves, detectors, and column holders—at the front-facing plane, enabling intuitive access and rapid method setup without compromising analytical rigor. With a footprint of only 335 × 464 mm and a mass under 27 kg, the ÄKTA™ go is uniquely suited for constrained environments such as cold rooms, biosafety cabinets, or shared instrumentation suites where space efficiency and operational flexibility are paramount.

Key Features

• Compact, modular design: All fluidic modules—including dual-piston high-pressure pump, six-port injection valve, UV/conductivity/pH detectors, and column switching manifold—are mounted on the front panel for direct visual and physical access during operation and maintenance.
• Multi-parameter real-time detection: Integrated UV absorbance at 280 nm (for protein quantification), conductivity (0.01–999.99 mS/cm), and pH (0–14, ±0.1 unit accuracy in pH 2–12 range) provide orthogonal process monitoring essential for method development and GMP-aligned workflows.
• Broad solvent compatibility: System components are chemically resistant to aggressive cleaning agents—including 1 mol/L NaOH and 2 mol/L NaCl—for daily in-place sanitization; also validated for use with acetonitrile and other organic modifiers supporting reversed-phase applications.
• Precision fluid handling: Flow rate control from 0.01 to 25 mL/min with ±2% accuracy across viscosity ranges of 0.7–3 cP ensures consistent sample loading, elution, and fraction collection—critical for reproducible yield and purity outcomes.
• Flexible component integration: Front-mounted rail system accommodates optional column brackets, auxiliary valves, and external detectors; side- or under-unit placement options for fraction collector optimize spatial configuration.
• Integrated buffer management: Top-mounted buffer tray supports up to two 2 L and two 1 L bottles (total 6 L capacity), minimizing manual intervention during extended runs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ÄKTA™ go is routinely deployed for purification of recombinant proteins, antibodies, enzymes, and viral vectors across early-stage research through process characterization. Its pressure rating of 0–5 MPa enables compatibility with both low-backpressure prepacked columns (e.g., HiTrap®, HiPrep™) and higher-resolution media requiring moderate operating pressures. The system meets fundamental requirements for GLP-compliant environments: UNICORN™ software supports electronic signatures, audit trails, and user-access controls aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 expectations. While not certified as GMP manufacturing equipment, its hardware design, traceable calibration protocols, and documentation support align with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation criteria for method validation and instrument qualification. All wetted materials—including PEEK, stainless steel, and sapphire flow cells—are compliant with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards.

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are fully managed by UNICORN™ software (v7.1 or later), a validated, modular application comprising four core components: System Management, Method Editor, System Control, and Result Analysis. The Method Editor employs a drag-and-drop interface to construct chromatographic methods using predefined “Phase” building blocks (e.g., equilibration, load, wash, elute), each assignable with time-, volume-, or condition-triggered transitions. Preloaded parameter libraries for Cytiva columns—including maximum flow rates, pressure limits, and recommended buffer volumes—are auto-injected into methods to reduce configuration errors. Advanced users may edit underlying text instructions for fine-grained control over valve sequencing, detector sampling intervals, or fraction collection logic. During execution, the System Control module displays synchronized chromatograms, real-time flow/pressure/conductivity/pH traces, and an interactive flowchart with live status indicators. All raw data—including detector signals, pump logs, and event timestamps—are stored in vendor-neutral .chm files with embedded metadata, enabling long-term archival and third-party analysis via open-format converters.

Applications

• Routine purification of His-tagged, GST-tagged, or native proteins using affinity, ion exchange, or size-exclusion chromatography
• Buffer exchange and desalting prior to downstream assays (e.g., SPR, MS, crystallography)
• Quality assessment of expression lysates and purified fractions via UV/conductivity profiling
• Method scouting and optimization for scalable purification processes
• Training platform for FPLC fundamentals in undergraduate and graduate teaching laboratories
• Supporting QC release testing of research-grade biologics under documented SOPs

FAQ

Is the ÄKTA™ go suitable for GMP production environments?
No—the ÄKTA™ go is designed for laboratory-scale research and process development. It is not qualified as a GMP manufacturing system, though it supports documentation practices consistent with GLP and early-phase regulatory submissions.

Can I connect third-party detectors such as fluorescence or refractive index monitors?
Yes—the system provides analog voltage outputs (±10 V) and digital trigger interfaces compatible with most commercial detectors. Integration requires configuration via UNICORN™’s external device setup wizard.

What is the minimum required PC specification to run UNICORN™ software?
A Windows 10 (64-bit) workstation with ≥8 GB RAM, ≥256 GB SSD, and Intel Core i5 or equivalent processor is recommended for stable real-time control and data visualization.

Does the system support method transfer to larger ÄKTA platforms?
Yes—UNICORN™ methods created on the ÄKTA™ go are fully portable to ÄKTA™ pure, ÄKTA™ avant, and ÄKTA™ pilot systems, enabling seamless scale-up through consistent parameter mapping and detector calibration profiles.

How often does the pH sensor require recalibration?
Cytiva recommends daily two-point calibration (pH 4.01 and 7.00 buffers) when used in regulated workflows; weekly calibration suffices for exploratory applications, provided temperature stability is maintained within ±3°C of calibration conditions.