Automation

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Proven, complete solution

HDX has become an indispensable tool for protein binding studies in pharmaceutical development. For over 15 years Trajan's automation team (formally LEAP Technologies) have been automating HDX experiments, and is the industry leader in the field.

LEAP HDX systems are helping researchers across the globe come to answers about their proteins faster than traditional methods.

Features and benefits

• Accurate timing
• pH control
• Sustained 0°C environment
• In-line digestion

Faster answers
Powerful information on protein structure in days - not weeks. Move more quickly, make better decisions.

Recommended applications

Automated Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange (HDX) experiments.

Our turn-key HDX solution is compatible with most MS analyzers, and can extend your current LC/MS capabilities while adding a new dimension to your protein studies.

More

• Brochure - Automated Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange [PDF]
• Brochure - Automated Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange (Japanese) [PDF]

• LEAP HDX platform
• Software
• Specifications
• Support
• Consumables

• LEAP HDX automation
  The LEAP HDX platform is an advanced, automated scheduling and experimental workstation providing ease of use, high reproducibility and exceptional data quality for HDX experiments.

  Labeling
  HDX relies on accurate timing of the labeling step.

  Quenching
  The system will optimize the timing of the labeling step to ensure quenching is just in time for the LC-MS injection, using a chilled syringe. A typical experiment might consist of a dozen time points, in triplicate, for each protein sample. The LEAP HDX system will schedule the experiments and perform all steps for each time point of every sample. Long labeling experiments are automatically scheduled first to ensure the shortest possible instrument time.

  Optimized HDX fluidics
  The introduction of optimized HDX fluidics that enables full fluidic path backflushing, extending column life and maintaining consistent retention times to deliver higher quality data.

  The new fluidics pathway is built upon UHPLC rated valves and column hardware (21 kpsi), with flow paths minimized to reduce swept volumes.

  Trajan manufactured HDX specific pre-cut, high pressure lines and fittings, designed to improve reliability and enhance performance. All fluidic components are designed to offer consistently reproducible results.

• ChronosHDX control software
  Meeting the challenge of producing the highest quality data sets.

  HDX experiments require time-sensitive operation. Therefore, in traditional methods, an operator has to attend throughout the course of HDX experiments. However, time-controlled automation enables unattended operation using intelligent scheduling with Chronos software.

  Trajan uses ChronosHDX scheduling software to automate the precise labeling and quenching of samples, as well as injection and digestion of proteins on the LC-MS analysis system.

  • Precise on-exchange data point timing
  • Reproducible experimental conditions
  • Multi-valve control for trapping and elution of digested peptides to the LCMS system
  • Throughput optimization with elimination of timing conflicts
  • Simple graphic user interface
  • Advanced method editing capabilities
  • Integrated with HDExaminer data processing software from Sierra Analytics

  

  HDExaminer
  Native data format compatibility with HDExaminer increases high confidence data and allows you to get to results faster.

  • HDExaminer finds accurate results even with overlapping peptides.
  • The software works well with low resolution or high resolution data.
  • Imports MS data from Agilent, AB Sciex, Bruker, Thermo, or Waters instruments, as well as mzXML or mxData.
  • Imports peptide search data from SEQUEST HTML, Mascot XML, Proteome Discover xls or pepXML.

  Efficient system control and optimized experimental design
  Our Chronos for HDX software now offers a streamlined interface for HDX users and automatically overlaps time points for maximum MS efficiency.

  Temperature control at all steps ensures reliable data. Sustained 0°C environment reduces back exchange, improves sample stability and overall reproducibility.

  Our most flexible automation platform yet offers the ability to run multiple experimental methods in the same sequence. Native data format compatibility with HDExaminer increases high confidence data and allows you to get to results faster.

• LEAP HDX specifications
  On-exchange time range	10 seconds to 4+ hours, user selectable
  Temperature control	±1.0°C
  Temperature range	0°C to 37°C
  Volumetric range	Typically 1-250 μL, use application selectable to 5000 μL
  Electrical	120 VAC, 60 Hz or 220 VAC, 50 Hz
  Dimensions	80 cm (W) x 38.5 cm (D) x 64.8 cm (H)
  Weight	80 kg
  LCMS data systems	Compatible with nearly all LCMS data systems. Direct integration with the most common.

• Service you can trust
  Our CTC Manufacturer Certified Service team is ready to keep your automation at its peak performance.

  Full application support
  Trajan is the leading expert in automation of HDX. Our in-house specialists and team of experienced partners offer you the best consulting available to achieve your HDX goals.

  Expert training
  Trajan has the expertise and experience with automating HDX experiments that can only come from having worked with leading scientists in the field.

• ProDx consumables designed for HDX
  Columns and fluidics consumables specifically designed to optimize all aspects of the HDX user experience.

  View the range of ProDx columns

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Expert infusion automation for your high sensitivity metabolomics and lipidomics experiments

High-throughput, high sensitivity and low carryover: the new infusion automation from Trajan offers you everything you need to bring your lipidomics mass spec workflow to its peak performance.

Move from manual sample infusion to the highest standard of infusion automation. With rapid cleanup between injections and best-in-class software architecture to integrate into your workflow, our infusion automation will elevate your lipidomics experiments.

Features and benefits

• High throughput
• High sensitivity
• Low carryover

The most consistent and flexible system available for infusion automation
Fully customizable infusion eliminates carryover concerns while saving you time. Allows for sample infusion at flow rates between 5 and 100 µL/min — directly into your ESI source via the injection valve — precisely and without pulsation. Compatible with both shotgun and targeted lipid analysis.

The powerful Chronos software can execute important operational and integration functions such as reading and reporting to LIMS software, as well as MS acquisition mode switching within a single infusion. The system maintains flow to the source while quickly and thoroughly washing the syringe system for the next infusion.

Exclusive inert configuration is available for your trickiest lipid classes — ensuring your samples never come into contact with any polymers.

“We just ran a whole pile of samples. It ran 24/7 without a hitch. Very reliable.” - Calvin Vary, PhD, Proteomics and Lipidomics Core Facility Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Maine, USA.

More

• Brochure - Infusion automation [PDF]

• LEAP PAL injector
• Software
• Specifications

• Upgrade sample throughput without worrying about carryover
  The LEAP PAL injector head is a syringe pump itself, making it the ideal sample delivery system for ESI flow rates, unlike conventional HPLC pumps.

  Many lipids are notorious for their adherence to glass and other surfaces resulting in carryover between samples. The special LCMS syringe tool incorporates unique features to minimize this carryover to below 1% for the abundant neutral and phospholipids and even lower for other species.

  The illustration below shows how this rapid washing is achieved. After washing the inside, the system will wash the needle externally and be ready to aspirate the next sample.

  
  Figure 1 Sample infusion

• Greatest experiment control with powerful, user-friendly software
  The infusion process is controlled using our Chronos software, allowing maximum compatibility with your preferred Chromatography Data System, LIMS and MS data systems.

  Method parameters are available for flow rates, infusion times, stabilization delays and cleanup conditions, MS acquisition method switching.

  With an optional second valve, standard chromatography methods can be used in the same sequence with direct infusion samples.

  
  Figure 2 An example Chronos infusion method

• Specifications
  Flow rate range	5-100 μL/min.
  Sample formats	Sealed and unsealed vials (1 mL, 2 mL, 10 mL); sealed and unsealed plates (96 and 384-well).
  Optional features	Sample cooling drawers (4-40°C), inert flow path, second valve for chromatography autosampling
  Sample capacity	Expandable capacity, from three plate tray holder, to 6 or 12 plate drawer stack(s). Capacity depends on vial/tray formats and drawer configuration, maximum 4 stacks
  Signal stability	Signal stability on a single sample has been demonstrated for 20 minutes. Long term stability confirmed in successful analysis of 400 samples over a 36 hour period (5 minute injection per sample).
  Computer requirements (minimum)	Operating system: Windows 7 SP1 (32 or 64 bit), Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Hardware: Intel Dual Core 2.0 GHz, 60 GB hard disk, 4 GB RAM, dedicated ethernet port or free location on local private network switch with 1 free USB port for security dongle. Monitor: 1366 x 768 (recommended 1440 x 900 or 1920 x 1080).

Contact a workflow specialist for your specific needs

Consistently perform your most critical fraction collection experiments

Zero-loss, zero-drip, high throughput and ultra reliable: the new microfraction collection system from the Automation team at Trajan (formally LEAP Technologies) offers you everything you need to consistently perform your most critical collection experiments.

The LEAP MFx collector has been purposefully designed to optimize fraction collection for the sharpest peaks, the maximum dependability, and the greatest ease of use. With smart software features and automation, this analytical fraction collection system is the most reproducible, and highly compatible platform available today.

Features and benefits

• Zero-loss
• Zero-drip
• High-throughput
• Ultra-reliable

The highest capacity, most flexible system available
Fully customizable collection into a variety of plate and vial types, including sealed container collection: 96 and 384 well plate formats, 2 mL and 10 mL vial formats (sealed or open), and 2 mL and 10 mL tube formats.

Compatibility with a broad range of analytical flow rates, sub-ambient temperature control, and user-friendly software are just a few of the features that make this new system the perfect evolution for your fraction collecting needs.

• Completely new, optimally designed software, operating using the powerful Chronos architecture, allows maximum system compatibility.
• Highly efficient scheduling, extensive live-logging, and responsive operation handling routines.

Recommended applications

Automated microfraction collection experiments.

More

• Brochure - MFx collector [PDF]

• LEAP MFx collector hardware
• Software
• Specifications
• Support
• Consumables

• Advanced hardware
  The most flexible system on the market, the LEAP MFx collector solution is available:

  • In multiple plate capacities (up to 24 plates).
  • With and without sample cooling.
  • For 96 and 384 well formats, low profile and deep-well, as well as both sealed and open vials.
  • An extra capacity version is available for standard height well plates which extends the maximum plate capacity to 48 plates.

  Plate capacity	Up to 12 plates	Up to 24 plates
  Instrument width	50 cm	120 cm

  

  Designed for safety and serviceability

  • Allows the use of sealed plates or vials for limiting exposure to hazardous samples.
  • Sub-ambient storage and large capacities for overnight runs.
  • Well-plate sensing and no-drip features ensure no-leak dispensing.
  • Easy to access for quick replacement of both the DFR and needles.
  • Tubing replacement kits come pre-cut and with matching fittings and ferrules.
  • Built upon the PAL system platform, with enhanced electronics and firmware.

  	LEAP MFx collector	Competitor 1	Competitor 2
  Zero-loss collection (doesn’t divert to waste)	Yes	No	No
  Cooling to 4°C	Yes	Yes	No
  Maximum capacity
  Deep well plates	24	4	8
  Shallow well plates	48	4	8
  Vials/tubes	24 trays (up to 1296 tubes/vials)	215 tubes	768 tubes

  

  Unique dynamic flow reservoir
  The precision engineered and long lasting dynamic flow reservoir (DFR) allows the LEAP MFx collector to continue collecting chromatographic flow while the automation is moving between wells, resulting in zero-loss.The design achieves a turbulence-free, fully optimized flowpath for collection without peak dispersion.

  

  Undisturbed flowpath for minimal peak diffusion
  While flow to the buffer region remains constant during both well filling and robot movement, the buffer region will expand as the DFR travels between wells. This retracts any hanging droplets, and avoids peak diffusion by allowing continuous flow. The buffer region contracts to resume dispensing at the next well.

  

• Setup for collection has never been easier

  • Users are provided a specialized screen for easy method and collection sequence creation.
  • Unlimited fractions can be collected in up to four time windows. This allows the gathering of peaks of interest and unwanted fractions to be sent to waste.
    

  Tabular and visual method creation

  • The visual well selection feature empowers users to define collection ranges with a point-and-click, exactly targeting wells without guesswork.
  • Similarly, standard tabular sample creation can be confirmed visually for the greatest confidence.
    

  Maintains highest peak resolution with sub-2 second fractions, while providing simplified data correlation, and advanced sample tracking

  • Accurate time-point control and real-time collection recording, with live log and visual status options.
  • Easy export of collection log to Excel or CSV for simple data correlation.
    
  • Active run graphic display of fraction collection showing real-time status of each fraction position.
    
  • Options provided for both serpentine by columns  or serpentine by rows 

  Smart features offer convenience and reduce error

  • Auto-checking of tray locations before run ensures confidence that the collection will be successful.
  • Automatically closes open drawer(s) before a run, correcting human error.
  • Built-in calculators allow focus to remain on analytical goals without the need to calculate fluidic considerations manually.
    

• LEAP MFx collector specifications
  Maximum flow rate	>5 mL/min
  Minimum dwell time	<2 seconds/well
  Collection formats	96 and 384 well plates (deep and shallow), 2 mL and 10 mL vials/tubes
  Sealed collection	Can pierce sealed plates and sealed vials
  Computer requirements (minimum)	Operating system: Windows 7 SP1 (32 or 64 bit), Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Hardware: Intel Dual Core 2.0 GHz, 60 GB hard disk, 4 GB RAM, dedicated ethernet port or free location on local private network switch with 1 free USB port for security dongle. Monitor: 1366x768 (recommended 1440x900 or 1920x1080).

• Service you can trust
  Our CTC Manufacturer Certified Service team is ready to keep your fraction collection automation at its peak performance.

  Full application support
  Trajan is the leading expert in automation of fraction collection for analytical pursuits. Our in-house specialists and team of experienced partners offer you the best consulting available to achieve your microfraction collection goals.

  Expert training
  Trajan has the expertise and experience with automating fraction collection experiments that can only come from having worked with leading scientists in the field.

• Reliable engineering and consumables for sharp peaks and reproducibility

  Tubing replacement kits with pre-cut tubing, optimized fittings and ferrules ensure that the MFx collector, built on the trusted PAL platform, is the most advanced fraction collection automation for zero carryover, sharper peaks and stunning reproducibility.

  View the range of LEAP MFx collector accessories

  
  An example of actual sample collection with the LEAP MFx collector, showing baseline resolution and well-defined peaks