Apparatus and method for semi-automated parallel synthesis of peptides

In a method for solid-phase peptide synthesis which method comprises steps of providing an activated polymer resin to a reaction container;

• performing a first washing step comprising adding a washing liquid to the reaction container to swell the polymer resin and removing the washing liquid to yield a swelled, activated polymer resin;
• performing a deprotecting step comprising adding a deprotecting liquid to the reaction container, mixing the swelled, activated polymer resin with the deprotecting liquid, and removing the deprotecting liquid from the reaction container;
• performing a second washing step three times, wherein the second washing step comprises adding a washing liquid to the reaction container and removing the washing liquid from the reaction container;
• performing a coupling step comprising adding a protected amino acid in a liquid to the reaction container and allowing the amino acid to react;
• repeating the second washing step;
• repeating the deprotecting, second washing, coupling, and second washing steps, wherein each coupling step comprises adding a new amino acid to couple to the previously added amino acid;
• removing the resin from the reaction container;
• and cleaving the peptide from the resin;
• the improvement comprising performing the first and second washing steps and the deprotecting step using an automated apparatus and performing the adding steps manually.