Protein purification using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) with a VIAFLO 96/384 handheld electronic pipette

  • Protein purification using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) with a VIAFLO 96/384 handheld electronic pipette

    Speed up your IMAC purification in 96 well plates using a VIAFLO 96/384 handheld electronic pipette

    Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is a method used to purify tagged proteins according to their affinity to specific metal ions. The experimental procedure involves many pipetting steps that are challenging and time consuming for the researcher, especially when performed in a 96 well format. The VIAFLO 96/384 electronic multichannel pipette offers a unique solution for this protocol, allowing simultaneous pipetting of 96 samples with the ease of use of a traditional handheld pipette, to significantly increase the sample throughput and enhance data reproducibility. Its compact design means that the VIAFLO 96/384 system requires little space and fits easily on the workbench.

  • Table of contents

    Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is a method used to purify tagged proteins according to their affinity to specific metal ions. The experimental procedure involves many pipetting steps that are challenging and time consuming for the researcher, especially when performed in a 96 well format. The VIAFLO 96/384 electronic multichannel pipette offers a unique solution for this protocol, allowing simultaneous pipetting of 96 samples with the ease of use of a traditional handheld pipette, to significantly increase the sample throughput and enhance data reproducibility. Its compact design means that the VIAFLO 96/384 system requires little space and fits easily on the workbench.

Key benefits

  • Samples and buffers are simultaneously transferred into a 96 well plate, increasing the purification throughput by minimizing the user’s hands-on time.
  • The Tip Align setting automatically aligns the tips in the center of each well, supporting the user during pipetting and preventing tips from crashing into the 96 well plate.
  • The capability to program and save the protocol on the VIAFLO 96/384 reduces user-to-user variability in the laboratory, increasing the reproducibility of results.
  • With its space saving footprint, the VIAFLO 96/384 handheld electronic pipette only requires a limited space on the laboratory workbench and fits into a laminar flow cabinet, allowing the user to work under sterile or controlled conditions whenever necessary.

Overview: Protein purification using IMAC

The following protocol shows an example set-up for performing an IMAC protein purification with a VIAFLO 96/384 handheld electronic pipette. The protocol uses 96 channel pipetting heads in the volume ranges of 50-1250 μl and 5-125 μl with Non-Sterile GRIPTIPS® (Figure 1).

Figure 1: VIAFLO 96/384 with a 96 channel pipetting head (50-1250 μl) and GripTip pipette tips.
Figure 1: VIAFLO 96/384 with a 96 channel pipetting head (50-1250 µl) and GRIPTIP pipette tips.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Culture bacteria

Culture bacteria for protein expression in 96 well format.

This step uses the VIAFLO 96/384 with a 96 channel pipetting head 1250 μl and Non-Sterile GRIPTIPS.

Fill bacteria growth media into a 300 ml automation friendly reagent reservoir and place it on Position A of the VIAFLO 96/384 deck (Figure 2). Put a 2.2 ml 96 well, deep well plate on Position B and transfer the media into it using the VIAFLO 96/384 handheld electronic pipette in Pipet mode. Inoculate the growth media with bacteria by transferring them into the pre-filled 96 well plate. Incubate the bacteria overnight at 37 ºC to express the protein of interest and then centrifuge until they form a pellet. Use the Pipet mode of the VIAFLO 96/384 to carefully aspirate the supernatant without touching the cell pellet.

Tips: By using the z-height limit, it is possible to fix the tips so that you can’t touch the cell pellet. Set the Tip Align strength to 2 to allow the user to manually move the pipette tips to one side of the well to avoid disturbing the pellet during aspiration. Use a slow aspiration speed – speed 2/3 – to avoid accidentally sucking up the cell pellet.

Figure 2: Example of a 300 ml automation friendly reagent reservoir placed on a VIAFLO 96/384.
Figure 2: Example of a 300 ml automation friendly reagent reservoir placed on a VIAFLO 96/384.

2. Preparation of cell extract

Lysis of bacteria and lysate filtration.

This step uses the VIAFLO 96/384 with the 96 channel pipetting head 125 μl and Non-Sterile GRIPTIPS for the first stage of the process and then the 96 channel pipetting head 1250 μl and Non-Sterile GRIPTIPS for the lysate filtration pipetting step.
Fill lysis buffer into a 150 ml automation friendly reagent reservoir (Position A). Transfer the buffer onto the cell pellet (Position B). Use the Pipet/Mix mode of the VIAFLO 96/384 to resuspend the pellet in the lysis buffer, mixing thoroughly to ensure it is homogeneous. Incubate at room temperature for 1 hour on an orbital shaker. Prepare equilibration buffer in a 150 ml automation friendly reagent reservoir (Position A) and transfer it to the cell lysate. Centrifuge the plate to separate the cell debris from the supernatant containing the protein of interest.
Switch to the 96 channel pipetting head 1250 μl with Non-Sterile GRIPTIPS for the lysate filtration step. Attach a 96 well, 0.65 μm MultiScreenHTS DV Filter Plate (Merck Millipore) on top of a 1.2 ml 96 well, deep well plate and carefully transfer the supernatant using the Pipet mode of the VIAFLO 96/384. Repeat this filtration step until no supernatant remains.

Tips: Fix the z-height to prevent disturbance of the pellet and to avoid damaging the filter mesh. Aspirate at low speed – speed 1/2 – and watch the liquid level of the supernatant carefully.
Note: Filtration of the lysate can also be performed with a vacuum manifold instead of a plate centrifuge.

3. IMAC protein purification

Prepare the HisPur™ Cobalt Spin Plate (Thermo Scientific) and transfer the cell lysate.

The plate preparation and protein purification steps are performed using the VIAFLO 96/384 with the 96 channel pipetting head 1250 μl, and involve several liquid transfer stages. Position A of the VIAFLO 96/384 deck is dedicated to 300 ml automation friendly reagent reservoirs containing the ultrapure water and equilibration, wash and elution buffers. The purification plate is placed on Position B.

Place the HisPur™ Cobalt Spin Plate on the collection plate provided and centrifuge to discard the preloaded storage solution. Quickly dry the collection plate by tapping it on a paper towel and then remount the purification plate. Add ultrapure water and then centrifuge to remove any residual storage buffer, then add equilibration buffer. Allow to equilibrate and then centrifuge to remove buffer. Repeat the equilibration step.

Load the filtered lysate onto the prepared plate using a low pipetting speed. Wash the plate several times to remove unspecific proteins from the sample. Finally, elute the purified protein with the elution buffer.

Note: Dry the collection plate by tapping it on a paper towel after each step to completely remove the last drops of the different buffers.

4. Re-buffering the purified proteins

Re-buffer the purified proteins using a Zeba™ Spin Desalting Plate (Thermo Scientific).

Plate preparation
The Zeba™ Spin Desalting Plate must first be equilibrated by washing four times with the desired buffer. This step uses the 96 channel pipetting head 1250 μl with the VIAFLO 96/384 handheld electronic pipette.
Place a 300 ml automation friendly reagent reservoir filled with the equilibration buffer on Position A and the desalting plate on Position B. Transfer the equilibration buffer into the plate and centrifuge. Repeat the equilibration step three times.

Final re-buffering of the purified proteins
After equilibration, the plate can be used with the protein samples. This step uses the 96 channel pipetting head 125 μl.
Stack the desalting plate on top of a new 0.5 ml 96 well, deep well plate (Position B). Transfer the previously purified proteins into the plate using a low aspiration speed (speed 3). Carefully touch the pipette tips to the top of the resin. Centrifuge the desalting plate to collect the final re-buffered proteins.

Remarks

Three position stage:

Improve your workflow by using the VIAFLO 96/384 together with a three position stage. Position A can be then dedicated to the GRIPTIP box, Position AB to the buffers and Position B to the multiwell plate (Figure 3).

Automatic mode:

The Automatic mode of the VIAFLO 96/384 enables automation of pre-programmed VIALINK protocols, minimizing the user-to-pipette interaction. This is especially helpful in confined spaces, such as a laminar flow cabinet.

Partial tip load:

If your experimental set-up requires purification of less than 96 samples at once, the VIAFLO 96/384 can work with any number of tips loaded. Simply adjust the number of tips needed to perform your experiment.

Figure 3: VIAFLO 96/384 with a three position stage.
Figure 3: VIAFLO 96/384 with a three position stage.

Conclusion

  • The VIAFLO 96/384 offers scientists a unique operation concept that makes the device as easy to use as a conventional electronic pipette.
  • Optimizing individual pipette settings enables accurate sample transfers without the tips touching the bottom of the plate and disturbing the cell pellet.
  • Let the VIAFLO 96/384 simply guide you step by step through the protocol, ensuring a less error-prone workflow and enhancing the reproducibility of your results.
  • The VIAFLO 96/384 offers an excellent solution for multiple transfers in a 96 well format, without the user having to invest much time or effort.
  • The VIAFLO 96/384 significantly increases sample throughput and decreases the user’s hands-on time.

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Instruments and accessories

VIAFLO 96/ VIAFLO 384, Handheld Electronic Pipette Three position stage for 96 and 384 well plates 96 Channel Pipetting Head, 125 µl 96 Channel Pipetting Head, 1250 µl Automation Friendly Reagent Reservoir, 300ml Automation Friendly Reagent Reservoirs, 150 ml GRIPTIPS®, 125 µl, Sterile (for automation systems) GRIPTIPS®, 1250 µl, Sterile Axon Lab: 2.2 ml Deep well plate Axon Lab: 0.5 ml Deep well plate Thermo Fisher Scientific: Adhesive Plate Seals Merck/Millipore/Sigma: MultiScreenHTS DV Filter Plate, 0.65 µm, clear, non-sterile Thermo Fisher Scientific: HisPur™ Cobalt Spin Plates Thermo Fisher Scientific: Zeba™ Spin Desalting Plates

VIAFLO 96/ VIAFLO 384, Handheld Electronic Pipette

With this 24, 96 and 384 channel pipette, INTEGRA meets the need for an affordable, compact and easy to use pipette that provides increased productivity. The unique operating concept makes VIAFLO 96/384 as easy to use as any traditional handheld pipette.

Part No. 6001 / 6031

See how it works
The VIAFLO 96/384 is handheld, electronic pipette

Three position stage for 96 and 384 well plates

This accessory expands available stage positions for microplates, reservoirs and tips on a VIAFLO 96 or VIAFLO 384 from 2 to 3 thereby enhancing workflow in a wide range of applications. Beneficially the Three Position Stage also features an indexing function to allow access to 384-well plates using a 96-channel pipetting head.

Part No. 6230

See all plate holder options
Three position stage for 96 and 384 channel pipetting

96 Channel Pipetting Head, 125 µl

Users can simply change the pipetting head of their VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 to guarantee optimal matching of the available volume range to the application performed. Changing a pipetting head of VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 is easy and takes less than one minute.

Part No. 6102

Find out more about VIAFLO 96/384 Pipetting Heads Specifications
VIAFLO 96/384 96 channel pipetting head

96 Channel Pipetting Head, 1250 µl

Users can simply change the pipetting head of their VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 to guarantee optimal matching of the available volume range to the application performed. Changing a pipetting head of VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 is easy and takes less than one minute.

Part No. 6102

Find out more about VIAFLO 96/384 Pipetting Heads Specifications
VIAFLO 96/384 96 channel pipetting head

Automation Friendly Reagent Reservoir, 300ml

INTEGRA offers two types of automation friendly reagent reservoirs:

  • 150 ml and 300 ml Clear Advantage™ reagent reservoirs which are made of both crystal clear virgin polystyrene and polypropylene. Both options fit into a reusable automation friendly base with bold, crisp, clearly visible graduation markings.
     
  • The 300 ml open well, 12 column and 8 row polypropylene reservoir blocks offer improved chemical compatibility.
Find out more about Automation Friendly Reagent Reservoirs
300 ml Reservoir filled

Automation Friendly Reagent Reservoirs, 150 ml

150 ml Automation Friendly Clear Advantage™ Reservoirs (Polystyrene) which are made of crystal clear 100 % virgin polystyrene and fit into a reusable automation friendly base with bold, crisp, clearly visible graduation markings.

The SureFlo™ Array located on the flat bottom reservoir prevents pipette tip seal off. This allows users to rest the pipette tips directly on the bottom of the reservoir offering an incredibly low dead volume of less than 3 ml!

Find out more about Automation Friendly Reagent Reservoirs
Reservoir for automation with SureFlo™ anti-sealing array

GRIPTIPS®, 125 µl, Sterile (for automation systems)

GRIPTIPS® pipette tips perfectly match the multi-lobe tip fitting, snapping firmly on during loading. This guarantees a perfect seal on every tip, preventing them from loosening, leaking or completely falling off. All tips are precisely aligned horizontally, enabling accurate touch-offs, even when pipetting with 384 tips.

Part No. 6443

Learn more about GRIPTIPS® pipette tips for Benchtop Pipetting Systems
Integra-Relaunch_Website-Output-Produktebilder-Product_Overview-GripTips.png

GRIPTIPS®, 1250 µl, Sterile

GRIPTIPS® pipette tips perfectly match the multi-lobe tip fitting, snapping firmly on during loading. This guarantees a perfect seal on every tip, preventing them from loosening, leaking or completely falling off. All tips are precisely aligned horizontally, enabling accurate touch-offs, even when pipetting with 384 tips.

Part No. 6445

 

Learn more about GRIPTIPS® pipette tips for Benchtop Pipetting Systems
1250 µl, Non-sterile, GripTips

Axon Lab: 2.2 ml Deep well plate

Axon Lab, 2.2 ml 96-deep well plate PP (round bottom)

Visit the supplier website

Axon Lab: 0.5 ml Deep well plate

Axon Lab, 0.5 ml 96-deep well plate PP (round bottom)

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Thermo Fisher Scientific: Adhesive Plate Seals

Adhesive Plate Seals are more convenient and cost effective than other sealing methods, and are available in a wide range of styles to suit any application. Thermo Scientific adhesive seals do not leave behind a sticky residue when the seal is removed, allowing the plate to be sealed multiple times.

Source: Website Thermo Fisher Scientific

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Adhesive Plate Seals

Merck/Millipore/Sigma: MultiScreenHTS DV Filter Plate, 0.65 µm, clear, non-sterile

MultiScreenHTS plates are specifically developed for high-throughput use with automated work stations. Rigid sidewalls improve handling and ample surfaces are provided for bar code labels. Wells are individually sealed to prevent incubation crosstalk and the underdrain is removable for access to the filters. Filter plates are available in 96- and 384-well platforms with a broad selection of membranes and plastics.

Source: Website Merck/Millipore/Sigma

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MultiScreenHTS DV Filter Plate, 0.65 µm, clear, non-sterile

Thermo Fisher Scientific: HisPur™ Cobalt Spin Plates

Thermo Scientific HisPur Cobalt Spin Plates contain a tetradentate chelating agarose resin charged with divalent cobalt (Co2+) for obtaining high-purity his-tagged proteins with no metal contamination. These spin plates are ideal for simultaneous processing of multiple small (1 mg/well binding capacity) samples.

Source: Website Thermo Fisher Scientific

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Thermo Fisher Scientific: Zeba™ Spin Desalting Plates

Thermo Scientific Zeba Spin Desalting Plates (7K MWCO) contain a size-exclusion chromatography resin that provides excellent protein desalting performance in a centrifuge format for 2µL to 4 mL samples.

Source: Website Thermo Fisher Scientific

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Customer’s voice

VIAFLO is VITAL to our Lab! The production lab recently acquired a new VIAFLO 96/384 channel pipette and it is fantastic to use for our repeatable processes that require the same sample volume. We love the XYZ range of motion, the nice bright light to illuminate the reservoir, and the improved efficiencies we gain from the use of this pipette.

Megan Cox, Microbiologics