The Bio-Rad Technical Support department in the U.S. is open Monday through Friday,
5:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Pacific Time. Worldwide technical support is available on the Web at
www.consult.bio-rad.com.
Phone: 1-800-424-6723, option 2
Fax:1-510-741-5802
Email:LSG.TechServ.US@Bio-Rad.com (U.S.)
LSG.TechServ.Intl@Bio-Rad.com (International)
Web:www.consult.bio-rad.com
Notice
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Bio-Rad.
Bio-Rad reserves the right to modify its products and services at any time. This user guide
is subject to change without notice. Although prepared to ensure accuracy, Bio-Rad
assumes no liability for errors or omissions, or for any damage resulting from the
application or use of this information.
Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft, and SQL Server are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Unicorn is a trademark of GE Healthcare Life Sciences. iPad is a trademark of Apple, Inc.
Android is a trademark of Google, Inc.
x | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
1Introduction
NGC™ chromatography systems provide a general purpose purification platform for
purifying all forms of biomolecules using a combination of chromatography
techniques. The systems are also useful for developing and optimizing purification
protocols. The systems can provide highly purified proteins, peptides, nucleic acids,
monoclonal antibodies, and other small molecules.
User Guide | 1 1
1 | Introduction
ChromLab™ software enables you to set up and control an NGC instrument, run
protein separations and other operations manually, program methods to automate
purification runs, evaluate the results, and generate and print experiment reports.
This user guide explains how to perform all these tasks.
Main NGC Features
NGC chromatography systems enable you to do the following:
Easily create purification and maintenance protocols from predefined
method templates and protocol phases
Automate multicolumn purification processes using preprogrammed
templates and multiple column switching valves
Automate multiple sample injections using either the sample inlet valve and
the sample pump or the C-96 autosampler
Expand sample monitoring using the signal import module (SIM) to export
digital signals to and import digital signals from external detectors
Collect large-volume fractions using multiple outlet valves while also
collecting small-volume fractions using the BioFrac™ fraction collector
Automatically prepare buffers using preprogrammed buffer blending
protocols
Analyze purification results through 1-click peak integration, determine
protein concentration and calculate column performance
Automate purification protocol optimization using the scouting wizard
Easily locate fractions containing peaks of interest and view the protein
concentration within each fraction
Extend the preconfigured systems with additional valves for buffers,
samples, and columns
12 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
Main NGC Features
Organize the location of the modules to optimize separation performance
based on method scale and complexity, and to minimize the system swept
volume
Minimize errors when connecting tubing using the Point-to-Plumb™
feature in ChromLab software
User Guide | 1 3
1 | Introduction
NGC Chromatography Systems
All NGC chromatography systems include ChromLab software and the NGC touch
screen.
NGC chromatography systems are available in several combinations. Each system
is equipped with either two 10 ml system pumps (the 10 series) or two 100 ml
system pumps (the 100 series).
The NGC Quest™ chromatography system includes the following:
Two system pumps
Mixer
Sample injection valve
Conductivity monitor with either a single-wavelength UV detector or a
multi-wavelength UV/Vis detector (available on the Plus systems)
14 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
NGC Chromatography Systems
The NGC Scout™ chromatography system includes the following:
All modules on the Quest system
pH detector valve
Buffer blending valve
The NGC Discover™ chromatography system includes the following:
All modules on the Scout system
Column switching valve
Two buffer inlet valves
Sample pump
The NGC Discover Pro chromatography system includes the following:
All modules on the Discover system
Fourth expansion tier
Sample inlet valve
Outlet valve
User Guide | 1 5
1 | Introduction
Finding Out More
After you install NGC documentation from the NGC Chromatography Systems
Documentation DVD, you can access installed NGC guides and tutorials on the
Help menu in any ChromLab view.
More information about the NGC chromatography systems and ChromLab software
is available fr
The NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software Installation
Guide is available on your NGC Chromatography Systems Documentation
DVD as a .pdf file. This guide explains how to set up your environment, set
up and install the NGC instrument in the lab, install ChromLab software,
and connect ChromLab to the NGC system.
The NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software Instrument
Guide is available on your NGC Chromatography Systems Documentation
DVD as a .pdf file. This illustrated guide details the modules that make up
the NGC instrument and includes troubleshooting and maintenance
information.
For ChromLab Help, clicking in dialog boxes accesses relevant
information. Screen-level help is also available on the Help menu.
om the following sour
ces.
NGC video tutorials are available on the NGC Chromatography Systems
Documentation DVD as .mp4 files.
Tip: You can click the Bio-Rad logo in the upper-left corner of any
Chr
omLab window to launch the Bio-Rad website.
16 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
2The Workspace
ChromLab™ software provides an intuitive interface for developing chromatography
methods, operating an NGC™ instrument, and analyzing data from chromatography
runs.
ChromLab software presents four primary workspaces.
The Home window
The System Control window
The Method Editor window
The Evaluation window
Each workspace is shown and described in this chapter. The NGC instrument touch
scr
een is also described.
User Guide | 1 7
2 | The Workspace
The Home Window
ChromLab software opens with the Home window, which displays three panes and
the System Control tab.
The three panes provide quick access to the system control, method editor, and
evaluation workspaces. The status of connection to the NGC instrument is also
displayed. Links to recently completed runs, recently created methods, and recently
accessed or analyzed runs and analyses appear listed at the bottom of the window.
Tip: Clicking the Bio-Rad logo in the upper-right corner of any ChromLab
window launches the Bio-Rad website.
18 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
The Home Window
Method Editor and Evaluation tabs become visible in the Home window when you
select tasks in the Method Editor and Evaluation panes.
User Guide | 1 9
2 | The Workspace
File Menu Commands
Connect to System — opens a dialog box that enables you to choose an NGC
chromatography system to connect to. ChromLab detects the NGC systems
available on the same subnetwork or those systems that are directly connected to
the computer. Their system name, network name, and IP address appear in the
table. To connect to a system, you can:
Select a name in the list of detected systems and click Connect.
Select the appropriate radio button, enter the system’s name or IP
Note:If your system does not appear in the list, click Detect.
Chr
omLab searches the network for available NGC systems and
refreshes the list.
address, and click Connect.
Tip: To obtain the system’s name and IP address select System
Information on the instrument touch scr
een dropdown menu.
Disconnect System — starting Chr
omLab connects you to the NGC system. This
command enables you to disconnect ChromLab software from the system so you
can work offline.
Manual Run — opens the System Contr
ol window in manual mode so you can
perform a manual run or set up your system manually.
Calibrate — opens the Calibration dialog box, which displays instructions and
options for selecting a module and calibrating it. See Calibrations on page 64 for
details.
Open Template — opens the T
emplate dialog box in which you can select a
method template from template folders organized by technique.
Open Method — opens the Method dialog box in which you can select fr
your saved methods.
New Method — opens the Method Editor window in which you can cr
method using standard method phases and steps.
20 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
om a list of
eate a
The Home Window
Import — displays links from which you can import the following:
NGC File — opens a dialog box in which you can import a method, a
method with runs, or a run exported from ChromLab software running on
another NGC system. See Importing an NGC Method or Run on page 259
for more information.
Unicorn Data — opens a dialog box in which you can import a Unicorn
data file into the NGC database. See Importing Unicorn Data Files on
page 261 for more information.
DuoFlow Data — opens a dialog box in which you can import a BioLogic
DuoFlow™ data file into the NGC database. See Importing BioLogic
DuoFlow Data Files on page 263 for more information.
Export — displays links fr
Methods/Method Runs — opens a dialog box in which you can export
om which you can export the following:
both single or multiple methods and single or multiple methods with
associated runs.
Runs — opens a dialog box in which you can export single or multiple
runs.
See Exporting Data as an NGC File on page 265 for more information.
Open Run/Analysis — opens a dialog box in which you can select a run or analysis
to view or analyze.
Preferences — opens dialog boxes in which you can do the following:
Select pressure units for all system and software pressure values. This is a
global setting.
Set up an SMTP server to receive email messages about system
notifications from the ChromLab computer.
Exit — closes Chr
omLab.
User Guide | 2 1
2 | The Workspace
Help Menu Commands
Help — displays screen-level help topics and links to installed manuals.
Export Diagnostic Logs — opens the Export Diagnostic Logs dialog box in which
you can export all critical information that Bio-Rad T
diagnose issues. The log files and data are zipped and saved to a location that you
choose. See Exporting Diagnostic Logs on page 271 for more information.
echnical Support requires to
About — displays Chr
omLab copyright and version information.
22 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
The System Control Window
The System Control window enables you to run the instrument manually, monitor
method runs while they are running, select fluidic schemes, calibrate pumps and
detectors, and verify the accuracy of instrument plumbing. This window displays a
chromatogram during a run. A fluidic scheme graphically depicts the flow path of all
the modules on the system. A status panel appears above each module displaying
its real-time status. In manual mode, clicking a module displays its controls and
detailed settings. The Run Log documents each action that occurs during a run. The
Run Queue lists all runs ready to be started.
The System Control Window
System Control functionality is detailed in Chapter 3, System Control.
User Guide | 2 3
2 | The Workspace
The Method Editor Window
The Method Editor window enables you to create, open, review, edit, and run a
method. You can also open and edit a method template to create a new template.
Method Editor functionality is detailed in Chapter 5, Method Editor. See also
Chapter 6, Creating a Method.
24 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
The Evaluation Window
The Evaluation window enables you to view and compare run data, perform peak
integration, and save run data as analyses. Evaluation functionality is detailed in
Chapter 7, Evaluating Results.
The Evaluation Window
User Guide | 2 5
2 | The Workspace
Instrument Control Touch Screen
In addition to ChromLab software running on a computer, the instrument is
equipped with a touch screen that accesses system control functionality. You can
use this touch screen to run, control, and monitor a run independent of ChromLab.
See System Control on page 29 for more information.
Tip: When the NGC system has been inactive for two hours the LED display
scr
eens on the instrument tur
appears on the touch screen informing you that the system is in standby mode.
You can take the system out of standby mode by touching OK in the dialog
box, starting the system pumps by initiating a manual or method run, or clicking
on a module in the fluidic scheme that has an LED display.
n off, the touch screen dims, and a dialog box
26 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
Instrument Control Touch Screen
Touch Screen Menu Commands
Calibrate — opens the Calibration dialog box, which displays instructions and
settings for selecting a module and calibrating it. See Calibrating a Module on
page 64 for details.
Point-to-Plumb — starts the Point-to-Plumb™ featur
instrument LED lights so you can visually verify or change instrument plumbing.
Displays the current fluidic scheme. See Verifying Plumbing with the Point-to-Plumb
Feature on page 67 for details.
Change Fluidic Scheme — opens the Fluidic Scheme Selector dialog box in which
you can edit the fluidic scheme or choose another one. See Fluidic Scheme
Configurations on page 51 for details.
Map Fluidic Scheme — opens the Fluidic Scheme Mapping dialog box in which
you can map devices on your instrument to their position in the fluidic scheme. See
Fluidic Scheme Mapping on page 60 for details.
System Settings — opens the System Settings dialog box in which you can
customize system settings. See System Settings on page 69 for more information
about customizing your system.
System Information — opens the System Information dialog box, which lists the
serial number and other general information about the NGC device as well as
information about the system components, pr
detectors.
Service — for Bio-Rad technical service staf
Help — displays detailed information about touch scr
ocesses, and UV and UV/Vis
f use only. Do not select this command.
e and simultaneously turns off
een menu commands.
About — displays Chr
Shut Down — shuts down the NGC system, including the connected computer
omLab version and copyright information.
User Guide | 2 7
.
2 | The Workspace
Touch Screen Toolbar Commands
Save — saves in a data file the steps executed during a manual run.
Clear — deletes manual run data fr
Autoscale — automatically scales the chr
peak height during the run. Autoscaling is enabled by default.
Reset Zoom — r
Annotate — adds a note to the chr
or after the run completes.
esets the view to show the full chromatogram.
om the touch screen display.
omatogram’s primary y-axis to the tallest
omatogram at points on the x-axis during a run
28 | NGC Chromatography Systems and ChromLab Software
Loading...
+ 270 hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.