Parallel HPLC - Parallel HPLC systems from Sepiatec allow eight samples to be processed simultaneously to increase throughput. This results in significant cost savings and reduces the bench space required.
Applications	Chiral method development High throughput reverse phase method development High throughput purification of RNA/DNA

The Sepmatix from Sepiatec is a unique parallel HPLC system that can operate with up to eight columns at narrowbore, analytical, and preparative flow rates. The patented flow control technology uses a single standard HPLC pump to deliver flow to the FlowControl module, which uses microprocessor control to constantly monitor the back pressures for each individual column, ensuring equal delivery to each column even if the backpressure conditions of the columns change independently.

The flow is then sent to an autosampler, up to eight columns, and then to a single diode array detector (DAD) that uses multiplexing fiber optics and a microprocessor-controlled encoding system to collect full spectra for all eight channels.

The savings in terms of cost and space are large since a single Sepmatix system can accomplish the work of eight separate HPLC systems, each with pumps, injectors, detectors, and computer data systems.

The Sepmatix parallel HPLC needs only a single HPLC pump, the FlowControl module, autosampler, and single diode array detector, all controlled by a single computer workstation. This provides many valuable benefits:

• Reduce capital equipment purchase price
• Reduce equipment service and maintenance expenses
• Conserve valuable laboratory space
• Reduce computer towers, monitors, keyboards, and mice
• Reduce total number of mobile phase and waste bottles
• Reduce operator time required to prepare and start HPLC runs

The Sepmatix parallel HPLC can be configured for two different applications that take maximum advantage of its ability to operate up to eight columns simultaneously - in "method development" mode or "purification" mode.

In the method development mode, eight different columns are connected and the autosampler is configured to inject a single sample into all eight columns simultaneously. The system could be used in isocratic mode (common for chiral column method development or optimization) or the same gradient can be applied to all eight columns (such as for testing selectivity for different brands and types of reverse phase columns). Using the parallel HPLC in this manner means that the optimal column can be identified in 1/8 the time it would take a single HPLC to do the same task. Getting an answer in 15 minutes instead of 2 hours or more is of extreme value for laboratories that need to rapidly develop separation methods for large numbers of samples.

In the purification mode, eight columns of the same type are connected and the autosampler is configured to inject 8 different samples simultaneously. This allows simultaneous purification of 8 samples either isocratically or with a gradient. The ability of a single system to purify 8 samples in the time a conventional HPLC to purify only a single sample is of great value to laboratories that must purify large numbers of production samples. For example, this technique is being used for high-throughput purification of DNA oligonucleotides.

For more information, please download these PDF files.

The Use of Parallel HPLC to Speed Up Chiral Column Screening

Improving the Quality and the Throughput of Oligonucleotides by Parallel HPLC Purification

Parallel HPLC Approach for Solving the Purification Bottleneck of Synthesized Oligonucleotides