On-Demand Webinar: 11:00AM - 1:00PM ET

Positive Pressure Processing

PRESENTERS:  

John Laycock | Director of Technology and Product Development at Tecan SP
Karsten Liegmann | Senior Application Chemist

PRESENTER'S BIO: 

John D. Laycock is the Director of Technology and Product Development at Tecan SP in Baldwin Park, CA.  He attended the University of Florida and completed a dissertation in the area of tandem mass spectrometry of porphyrins and received a PhD in 1994.  He joined the Center of Human Toxicology in 1995 as a Postdoctoral Associate responsible for introducing LC-MSMS methodologies to the lab utilizing GC-MS as the primary bioanalytical tool.  He joined Amgen in Thousand Oaks, CA in 1998 where he was responsible for setup of the first small molecule GLP bioanalytical lab there. While at Amgen, he implemented laboratory automation, LIMS, and informatics to holistically streamline workflows for bioanalytical sample analysis and reporting throughout all stages of drug development.  In 2015 he joined SPEware which was acquired by Tecan in 2016..With Tecan he has been responsible for launch of the Resolvex A200 and various chemistry consumable products into the global marketplace.

ABSTRACT:

A "positive pressure processor" in the context of sample preparation (often SPE [Solid Phase Extraction]) is a laboratory device that uses positive air pressure to consistently push solvent through compatible cartridges or plates, ensuring uniform sample extraction and improving reproducibility across multiple samples, especially when dealing with varying sample viscosities; essentially, it applies pressure from above to force the liquid through the extraction column instead of relying on vacuum to pull it through, leading to more consistent results. The advantages and disadvantages in contrast with the use of a vacuum manifold will be discussed. We will also discuss the mechanism by which flow restrictors in the positive pressure manifold maintain constant pressure, even if all the cartridge or plate wells positions are not filled, or empty positions are left open. Tecan has a line of positive pressure processors, from simple manual processors to semi-automated systems to integration with liquid handlers to make systems completely hand-off. Pressure profiles are available in semi-automated and more sophisticated instruments.  They are programable time vs. pressure gradients, their use allows for greater reproducibility in extraction efficiencies as well as allowing for walk-away running of samples with varying viscosities. While positive pressure instruments are best known for sample preparation for HPLC or mass spectrometers, additional utilities such as nucleic acid extraction, sample filtration, lipid fractionation, and peptide enrichment can be performed.