Cytiva ÄKTA™ start Protein Purification System
| Brand | Cytiva |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sweden |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | ÄKTA™ start |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The Cytiva ÄKTA™ start Protein Purification System is a compact, benchtop-scale liquid chromatography platform engineered for reproducible and scalable purification of proteins, antibodies, and other biomolecules under laboratory conditions. Based on low-pressure gradient chromatography principles, the system employs peristaltic pump-driven solvent delivery, UV/visible absorbance detection (280 nm and 254 nm), and real-time conductivity and pH monitoring to support ion exchange, size exclusion, affinity, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography workflows. Designed specifically for academic labs, teaching facilities, and early-stage bioprocess development, the ÄKTA™ start delivers robust performance with minimal footprint—measuring only 42 × 45 × 37 cm—and integrates seamlessly into standard fume hoods or laminar flow cabinets. Its front-access architecture enables unobstructed tubing routing, column mounting, and manual intervention during method optimization—critical for hands-on training and method transfer validation.
Key Features
- Intuitive 7-inch color touchscreen interface with tactile feedback buttons for direct system control without external PC dependency
- Integrated dual-wavelength UV/Vis detector (254 nm and 280 nm) with auto-zeroing and baseline drift compensation
- Peristaltic pump delivering precise, pulse-free flow rates from 0.1 to 10 mL/min with ≤2% flow accuracy across full range
- Frac30 Fraction Collector with programmable volume-based or peak-triggered collection; supports four tube formats (1.5 mL microcentrifuge, 5 mL round-bottom, 15 mL conical, and 50 mL centrifuge tubes)
- Real-time conductivity and pH monitoring via inline sensors compatible with standard Cytiva sensor cartridges (e.g., C-100, pH-100)
- Pre-configured method templates for common purification strategies—including His-tag IMAC, GST affinity, and desalting—accessible directly from the home screen
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ÄKTA™ start accommodates analytical to semi-preparative columns (ID 0.5–16 mm) and supports sample loads up to 5 mL per injection. It is compatible with all major chromatographic resins including Sepharose®, Capto™, and SOURCE™ media, as well as third-party agarose- and polymer-based matrices. The system complies with ISO 9001-certified manufacturing standards and meets essential requirements of IEC 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment safety. While not validated for GMP production environments, its UNICORN start software architecture includes audit trail logging, user access levels (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator), and electronic signature support—enabling alignment with GLP documentation practices and preliminary FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when deployed with appropriate IT infrastructure and procedural controls.
Software & Data Management
UNICORN start is a purpose-built, standalone control and analysis software package optimized for educational and exploratory purification workflows. It provides guided workflow navigation—from method creation and instrument calibration to real-time chromatogram visualization, peak integration, and report generation. All raw data (UV, conductivity, pH, pressure) are stored in proprietary .chm files with embedded metadata (user ID, timestamp, method version). Export options include CSV, PDF, and PNG formats; batch processing tools allow comparative analysis across multiple runs. Data integrity is reinforced through automatic backup to internal flash memory and optional network drive synchronization. Software updates are distributed via Cytiva’s secure customer portal and require manual installation—ensuring version traceability and regulatory consistency.
Applications
- Purification of recombinant His-tagged proteins from E. coli lysates using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography
- Antibody capture and polishing steps in early monoclonal antibody process development
- Buffer exchange and desalting of nucleic acid-protein complexes prior to structural characterization
- Teaching chromatographic theory—including resolution, selectivity, and column efficiency calculations—in undergraduate biochemistry laboratories
- Rapid screening of elution conditions (pH, salt gradient slope, flow rate) for new resin-ligand combinations
FAQ
Is the ÄKTA™ start suitable for GMP-compliant manufacturing?
No—the system is designed for research, development, and educational use. It does not include full 21 CFR Part 11 validation packages or automated qualification documentation required for commercial manufacturing.
Can I upgrade from UNICORN start to full UNICORN software?
Yes—hardware is compatible with UNICORN 7.x and later versions; however, license migration requires formal agreement with Cytiva and may involve additional hardware modules (e.g., additional detectors or fraction collector interfaces).
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Routine maintenance includes weekly system washes with 20% ethanol followed by deionized water, quarterly pump tubing replacement, and annual calibration of UV and conductivity sensors using NIST-traceable standards.
Does the system support multi-step gradient methods?
Yes—UNICORN start allows up to four solvent channels and supports linear, step, and concave/convex gradients with programmable dwell volume compensation.
Are consumables such as columns and filters available directly from Cytiva?
Yes—all Cytiva-branded prepacked columns (e.g., HisTrap™, HiTrap™, PD-10), system filters, pump tubing, and sensor cartridges are stocked globally and shipped with full lot traceability and CoA documentation.
