Date: 1 November 2024 | Category: News
In the latest video from Vapourtec, they highlight their patented automatic Variable Bed Flow Reactor (VBFR) demonstrating fully automated solid phase peptide synthesis. The process begins with swelling Tentagel S resin in DMF, preheating, and Fmoc deprotection using 20% Piperidine in DMF. A reduction in resin volume marks this deprotection step, tracked on the VBFR’s volume graph and detected by UV at 365 nm, producing a distinct Fmoc peak.
Following deprotection, activated amino acids (AAs) are introduced, causing the resin volume to expand. This step is visualised by a darker orange slug travelling through the resin. Note the reagents flow through the resin in a single pass only rather than traditional recirculation. Vapourtec’s unique single-pass process provides higher purity crude peptides. The VBFR’s automated system efficiently manages repeated cycles of Fmoc deprotection and AA coupling, elongating the peptide chain while maintaining precise control over the resin ensuring no channelling or dilution of reagents.
The VBFR demonstrates its ability to mitigate aggregation events, particularly around challenging residues such as F and E. By operating at elevated temperatures and maintaining a controlled environment, the process used with the Peptide-Explorer minimises aggregation severity compared to room-temperature or batch methods.
Victoire Laude, Vapourtec Research Scientist, commented, “The Vapourtec software interface keeps users informed of each step providing real-time UV and resin volume data, simplifying the process and allowing researchers to focus on optimising reaction conditions and results without manual monitoring”.
