GE ÄKTA start User Manual

ÄKTA™ start

System Cue Card

Contents

System overview 2
System preparation

4

Column preparation

6

Starting a run

6

Monitoring a run

7

Quick start methods

8

Flow charts 1

0

Getting help 1

1

Reference information 1

1

System Overview

ÄKTA start is a simple and modern liquid chromatography system intended for

preparative purication of proteins at laboratory scale.

The system can be used for a variety of research purposes to fulll the needs of the
users in the academia and in the life sciences industry. ÄKTA start is intended for
research use only, and should not be used in any clinical procedures, or for diagnostic
purposes.

The System Cue Card describes how to prepare the system for a chromatography run,
start and monitor a run, and evaluate the result.

ÄKTA start System Cue Card, 29-0240-42 AC 2

System overview

Main features of ÄKTA start

ÄKTA start is operated in two modes: 1) using Instrument
Display (touch screen), and 2) using UNICORN start.

ÄKTA start is oered with a dedicated Fraction collector,
Frac30.

Quick start methods available for easy purication of
common tagged/untagged proteins.

Method templates available for Anity Chromatography

(AC), Ion Exchange Chromatography (IEX), Gel Filtration
(GF) and Desalting (DS).

Predened methods available for cleaning the system
ow path, ow cells (UV and Conductivity) and testing the
system performance.

Instrument Display - home screen

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Instrument illustration

The illustration below shows the locations of the modules
placed on the wet side of the instrument. The modules
have the following functions:

To deliver the liquid in the system ow path and divert
the ow as required
To monitor the UV absorbance and conductivity of the

liquid

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4 5

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8 9 10

Part Description

1 ÄKTA start

2 Frac30, Fraction collector

3 PC with UNICORN™ start software

Part Description Part Description

1 Buer valve 6 Wash valve

2 Mixer 7 Injection valve

3 Sample valve 8 UV Monitor

4 Pump 9 Conductivity Monitor

5 Pressure sensor 10 Outlet valve

1 23

The ÄKTA start home screen displays four options for the

user to select and perform operations from.

Method run: run predened methods
Manual run: start and control the system in real time

Create method: create, edit, import and delete methods
Settings and service: congure, calibrate, troubleshoot

and diagnose modules

ÄKTA start System Cue Card, 29-0240-42 AC 3

Frac30, Fraction collector

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2

3

4

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Part Description Part Description

1 Dispenser arm 4 Bowl assembly

2 Tubing holder 5 Base unit

3 Collection tubes 6 Power indicator

UNICORN start overview

UNICORN start is a software package for:

Controlling the ÄKTA start instrument•

Creating and editing methods•

Evaluating and analyzing the results from ÄKTA start•

Module Features

System

Control

Provides an intuitive and easy-to-use

interface to control ÄKTA start.

Performs and monitors manual

chromatography runs.

Performs and monitors automated

predened or user dened chromatography
method runs.

Performs system performance method runs.

Method
Editor

Provides the exibility to automate the
chromatography runs.

Allows creation of methods from predened
chromatography templates like Anity, Gel
Filtration, Ion Exchange and Desalting.

Gives exibility to create a customized
method by dragging and dropping the

chromatography phases such as Prime and

Equilibration, Sample Application, Elution
and Fractionation, etc.

Allows exporting methods to a USB ash
drive for importing them into ÄKTA start.

Evaluation Allows viewing and presentation of results,

including creation of PDF reports.
Allows various evaluation operations on

curves and chromatograms including

comparison, peak integration etc.
Allows importing results from ÄKTA start and

exporting results to other formats.

Adminis­tration

Allows administration of the UNICORN start
database for backup, restore, archive and
retrieve operations.

Allows reviewing of UNICORN start and
system logs.

Safety

Read ÄKTA start Operating Instructions
before using the instrument.

ÄKTA start System Cue Card, 29-0240-42 AC 4

Connect a PC to ÄKTA start

Note: Before connecting the computer to ÄKTA start,
install the UNICORN start software on the computer. For
instructions, refer to the UNICORN start 1.0 User Manual.

Instruction

Connect power to the computer and monitor and start
the computer.
Connect the PC Connection Cable between the
connector marked as PC Connection at the back of
ÄKTA start and a USB port on the computer.
Launch UNICORN start and connect to ÄKTA start.

Connect Frac30 to ÄKTA start

Note: Frac30 should not be connected or disconnected
when ÄKTA start is switched ON.

Instruction

Connect the Frac30 Cable between the intended ports
at the back of Frac30 and ÄKTA start.
Switch on ÄKTA start.
Enable connection of Frac30 from Instrument Display.

Fractionation

For many purication schemes it is important to collect
fractions of the eluent. ÄKTA start oers the fractionation
options presented in the table below.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

Calibration

Calibrate the modules in the order described below
to ensure optimal performance of the system. For
instructions, refer to ÄKTA start Operating Instructions.

Instruction

Wash the entire ow path of the instrument with
demineralized (DM) water, then calibrate the modules.

Pump

Flow rate calibration

UV

UV LED calibration

Display

Touch Screen calibration

Pressure Sensor

Zero Offset

Conductivity

Temp. sensor calibration

Cond. flow cell calibration

1

32

System preparation

Preparation workow

Instruction

Place the buer bottles (A & B) in the buer tray and
immerse the buer inlet tubing (A & B) in the respective
buer bottles (1).
Place the sample inlet tubing in the sample container
or prell the sample loop with the sample (2).
Place all the waste tubing in the waste bottle (3).
Make sure the pump tubing is installed in the Pump.
Fit the collection tubing to the Fraction collector.
Switch on the instrument.
Calibrate the instrument modules.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

A calibration guide for when
to calibrate the modules
is available in ÄKTA start
Maintenance Cue Card.

Note: At delivery, the
instruments are pre­calibrated. Based on the
results of the system
performance test the user
can decide if re-calibrations
are required.

1 32

Instrument

conguration

Fractionation options

ÄKTA start +

UNICORN start +
Frac30

Fixed volume fractionation

Peak fractionation

Level based
Slope based

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•

◊
◊

ÄKTA start +

UNICORN start

Single Peak collection

Level based

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◊

ÄKTA start + Frac30 Fixed volume fractionation•

ÄKTA start Collection of elution volume•

Prepare the Fraction collector

Instruction

Place a sucient number of collection tubes (1.5 ml/
5 ml/15 ml) in the Bowl assembly.
Fit the outlet tubing into the tubing holder (1).
Fit the tubing holder into the corresponding port on the
Dispenser arm (2).
Gently move Dispenser arm to dispensing position (3).
Enable Frac30 from Instrument Display (Home >

Settings and service>Fraction collector>Enable Frac).
Set the delay volume (Home>Settings and service>

System>Delay volume setting).

1.

2.

3.

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5.

6.