Liquid chromatography system and method for protein separation and purification

Abstract

A system and method for protein separation and purification includes a mixing loop, a primary pump having an inlet in communication with a supply of an acid or an alkali and an outlet in communication with the mixing loop. A concentrate pump has an inlet in communication with a supply of an acid or an alkali and an outlet in communication with the mixing loop. A liquid chromatography column is in communication with the mixing loop and is packed with an ion exchange resin and loaded with a protein solution containing a first protein having a first isoelectric point and a second protein having a second isoelectric point. A process control feedback loop in communication with the mixing loop includes an inline process pH analyzer so that a pH of a titration solution in the mixing loop may be detected and adjusted based on the detected pH. The titration solution is provided in the mixing loop by the primary and concentrate pumps and the pH of the titration solution in the mixing loop is adjusted by the feedback loop based on the pH detected by the inline process pH analyzer to provide a generally linear pH gradient to the chromatography column so that the first and second proteins are separately eluded from the liquid chromatography column.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.