Tecan Te-Chrom® Protein Purification Workstation

Overview

The Tecan Te-Chrom® Protein Purification Workstation is a fully automated, modular liquid handling platform engineered for high-throughput, reproducible protein purification at the microscale. Built upon Tecan’s validated Freedom EVO® robotic architecture, Te-Chrom integrates precision liquid handling, temperature-controlled column staging, and programmable fraction collection to execute chromatographic workflows—including affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography—without manual intervention. Its core design leverages the RoboColumn® format: standardized, pre-packed, disposable microcolumns (typically 10–200 µL bed volume) that ensure consistent packing density, minimal dead volume, and batch-to-batch reproducibility. Unlike conventional FPLC systems requiring dedicated pumps, UV detectors, and fraction collectors per channel, Te-Chrom achieves parallel processing through spatial multiplexing—enabling eight independent purification runs in a single assay cycle while maintaining full traceability and process control.

Key Features

• Modular integration with Freedom EVO® platforms, supporting seamless expansion with additional deck modules (e.g., incubators, plate readers, centrifuges)
• Robust 8-channel pipetting arm with adjustable tip spacing, enabling simultaneous loading, washing, elution, and collection across up to eight RoboColumns
• Integrated column carousel accommodating up to 96 RoboColumn® positions, with configurable staging zones for equilibration, binding, wash, and elution steps
• On-deck fraction collection into standard 96-well plates or deep-well plates, with optional UV-Vis absorbance monitoring via integrated micro-volume spectrophotometer (optional add-on)
• Full method scripting via Tecan FluentControl® software, supporting stepwise gradient programming, flow rate modulation (via pressure-controlled dispensing), and real-time event-triggered actions
• Compliance-ready architecture supporting audit trails, electronic signatures, and user access levels aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed in regulated environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

Te-Chrom supports a broad range of biological samples including clarified mammalian, insect, bacterial, and yeast lysates; hybridoma supernatants; and cell-free expression outputs. It is compatible with commercially available RoboColumns from Atoll (MediaScout® series) and GE Healthcare (PreDictor™ series), pre-packed with common resins such as Protein A, Ni-NTA, GSTrap, Q Sepharose, SP Sepharose, and Superdex 75/200. Custom resin packing is also supported using compatible column hardware. The system adheres to ISO 13485 principles for instrument design and supports GLP/GMP-aligned workflows through configurable electronic lab notebook (ELN) integration and SOP-driven protocol execution. All liquid handling operations are calibrated per ISO 8655 and verified using gravimetric and photometric standards.

Software & Data Management

Method development and execution are managed through Tecan FluentControl® software, which provides a graphical workflow builder, parameterized step libraries (e.g., “bind-wash-elute-cycle”), and exportable method templates compliant with ANSI/SLAS microplate standards. Raw data—including dispense volumes, column position logs, fraction timestamps, and optional absorbance traces—are stored in structured .csv and .xml formats. Integration with third-party LIMS and ELN systems (e.g., LabVantage, Benchling, Dotmatics) is supported via RESTful API and ODBC connectivity. Audit trail records capture operator ID, timestamp, parameter changes, and run completion status—fully traceable for regulatory review.

Applications

• Expression screening: Rapid assessment of soluble expression yield across dozens of clones or constructs in parallel
• Monoclonal antibody (mAb) lead selection: Evaluation of binding capacity, purity, and aggregate content directly from harvest supernatants
• Purification condition scouting: Systematic variation of pH, conductivity, gradient slope, and residence time to define optimal elution profiles
• Resin performance comparison: Side-by-side evaluation of commercial and novel ligands under identical flow dynamics and loading conditions
• Method transfer & scale-up support: Generation of robust, miniaturized chromatographic data predictive of larger-column behavior (e.g., ÄKTA systems)
• Downstream sample conditioning: Automated buffer exchange, desalting, and concentration prior to structural biology assays (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, HDX-MS)

FAQ

What column formats are natively supported by the Te-Chrom system?

Te-Chrom is designed for standard 10 mm × 30 mm RoboColumn® cartridges (e.g., Atoll MediaScout®, GE PreDictor™). Custom column adapters can be configured for non-standard geometries upon request.
Can Te-Chrom perform multi-step chromatography (e.g., affinity followed by SEC)?

Yes—sequential purification steps can be programmed using column switching logic and intermediate plate-based pooling or dilution steps within a single run.
Is UV detection integrated, or is it an optional module?

UV-Vis detection is available as an optional add-on module (Fluent UV-Vis) providing real-time 280 nm absorbance monitoring during elution; otherwise, fractions are collected based on time or volume triggers.
How does Te-Chrom ensure reproducibility across users and labs?

Through factory-calibrated liquid handling, standardized RoboColumn® dimensions and packing protocols, and software-enforced method versioning with digital signature validation.
Does the system support GMP-compliant documentation generation?

When paired with Tecan’s Compliance Pack and validated FluentControl® configuration, Te-Chrom supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic records, including raw data archiving, change control logs, and report generation.