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An automated buffer management system for small-scale continuous downstream bioprocessing
Madelène Isaksson1, Joaquín Gomis-Fons1, Niklas Andersson1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, SE-211 00 Lund, Sweden.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|April 4, 2023
Summary
A novel automated buffer management system was developed for continuous bioprocessing, effectively preparing and delivering buffers for lab-scale purification. This system addresses bottlenecks by enabling independent, operator-free operation for extended periods.
Area of Science:
- Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Process Automation
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Manual buffer management is a bottleneck in continuous bioprocessing.
- Automating buffer preparation and delivery is crucial for scalability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an automated buffer management system for continuous lab-scale bioprocessing.
- To overcome limitations of manual buffer handling in integrated downstream processes.
Main Methods:
- Reconfiguration of an ÄKTA™ explorer chromatography system for buffer formulation.
- Development of a digital twin and control software (Orbit) in Python for automation.
- Integration with a continuous downstream process for a 10-day operation.
Main Results:
- The system autonomously managed buffer preparation, monitoring, and delivery.
- Consistent pH and conductivity profiles were maintained across purification cycles (±0.89% conductivity, ±0.045 pH).
- The system processed 55 orders and delivered 38 L of buffer during a 10-day run.
Conclusions:
- The developed automated buffer management system is robust and efficient.
- It effectively resolves buffer management bottlenecks in lab-scale continuous bioprocessing.
- This solution enables unattended, integrated downstream purification processes.
