Process development simplified by filtration

GE Healthcare has launched ÄKTAcrossflow, said to be the first fully automated small-scale cross flow filtration system, which aims to simplify membrane selection and process development at the research scale.

Linking the chromatography and membrane filtration steps eliminates the need for multiple manual operations during process development, thereby increasing workflow efficiency, according to the company.

ÄKTAcrossflow simulates large-scale conditions, from cell separation to final concentration and dia-filtration, with no cell or protein disruptions. 'This solution allows the researcher to gather reproducible results and maintain complete control during process development,' said Pieter Noordeloos, vice president, marketing process development and manufacturing. 'At the same time it simulates the conditions experienced or anticipated at the industrial manufacturing scale.'

Designed to handle flexible sample volumes from millilitres to litres, ÄKTAcrossflow is a complete system package that includes hardware, software and membrane devices. The fully integrated software platform monitors and captures sensor data and real-time calculated parameter trends for cell concentration, cell harvesting/clarification and protein concentration applications.

This combination of data capture and analysis in one system eliminates the need for extra steps to effectively evaluate and compare gathered results.