Proteus Purification Kit: Frequently Asked Questions


General - FAQs:

  • What is the shelf-life of a Proteus Spin Column?

The Spin Columns and resin plugs are guaranteed for 2 years after the date of manufacture provided they are stored at 2-8°C.

  • What is the preferred rotor for the Proteus MINI and MIDI Spin Columns?

MINI Spin Columns: The preferred rotor is a fixed angle rotor. There is no need to orientate the MINI Spin Column in the fixed angle rotor.

MIDI Spin Columns: The preferred rotor is a swing bucket rotors. For optimal performance with a fixed angle rotor, ensure that the orientation of the spin column in the rotor is the same for sample binding, washing and elution steps.

  • Do I need to filter the buffers prepared in my laboratory?

It is good laboratory practice to filter all buffers. However, buffers supplied with the Kits are pre-filtered for immediate use.

  • Do I need to pre-filter my sample before loading it on to a Proteus Spin Column?

All samples must be filtered through a 0.2 µm pre-filter immediately before loading the samples on to the spin column.

  • What is the highest speed that I can spin the Proteus MINI and MIDI Spin Columns?

MINI Spin Columns: Although the Spin Columns have been tested at 11,960 g (13,000 rpm in a fixed angle rotor with an average radius of 49 mm), we do not recommend spin speeds greater than 5,000 g. At very high speed, you may observe gel shrinkage away from the side walls. This will not affect the performance of the Spin Columns as the gel will rehydrate rapidly in subsequent spin steps. MIDI Spin Columns: There is no need to spin the devices at speeds greater than 1,250g. No performance data is available at centrifugal speeds greater than 1,500 g.

  • Is there a minimum spin speed for the MINI and MIDI Spin Columns?

There is no minimum spin speed for either the MINI or MIDI Spin Columns. The devices can be spun at speeds as low as 50 g.

  • Should I be concerned if the plugs partially dry out during the centrifugal steps?

The plugs are robust. Partially dried plugs rehydrate rapidly. There are no adverse effects upon the performance of the plugs.


Proteus Protein A and G – FAQs

  • What are the typical binding capacities of Proteus MINI and MIDI Spin Columns?

MINI Spin Columns: Protein A and G resin plugs have typical capacities of 1 mg rabbit IgG from serum.
MIDI Spin Columns: Protein A and G resin plugs have minimum capacities of 20 mg rabbit IgG from serum.

  • How should I prepare my sample for the Proteus Spin Column?

Many chromatographic procedures demand that the sample is pre-conditioned prior to loading. Protein A affinity separations usually require the sample to be diluted 1:1(v/v) in 1 x binding buffer. We recommend that all samples are diluted 1:1 (v/v) in the binding buffer supplied with the Protein A or Protein G Kit.

  • How can I process a large volume sample?

The MINI and MIDI Spin Columns have a finite maximum volume capacity. If you have a volume of sample greater than 100-150 ml we recommend that you use ammonium sulfate precipitation to concentrate your target antibody. Although many IgGs precipitate at a lower concentration of ammonium sulfate than most other proteins, 50% ammonium sulfate is sufficient.

  • What is the maximum volume of solution I can load on to a MINI or MIDI Spin Column?

MINI Spin Columns: You can load a maximum volume of 0.65 ml. MIDI Spin Columns: You can load up to 20 ml in a swing bucket rotor and up to 10 ml in a fixed angle rotor.

  • What are the minimum elution volumes from the Proteus Spin Columns?

MINI Spin Columns: The minimum elution volume is 0.5 ml.
MIDI Spin Columns: The minimum elution volume is 5 ml.

  • How many times can I re-use the Proteus Protein A and G MINI and MIDI Spin Columns?

MINI Spin Columns: Assuming that all samples are correctly filtered, sufficient buffer is provided in the kit for 3 re-uses of each Mini spin column.
MIDI Spin Columns: Each MIDI plug can be re-used typically up to 5 times. There is sufficient buffer volume in the Kits for one complete use of each MIDI Spin Column.

  • How can I regenerate the Proteus Protein G plug?

MINI Spin Columns: We recommend that you wash the plugs with 2 x 0.65 ml elution buffer B2 (pH 2.5) by centrifuging the spin columns at 1,800 g for 1 min. Then, re-equilibrate the plugs with 2 x 0.65 ml binding buffer A by centrifuging the spin columns at 1,800 g for 1 min. Proceed to the pre-equilibration step if plugs are to be re-used immediately. Do note that spin times of used plugs may be longer. After regeneration, plugs can also be stored, without their end caps, in a beaker containing 0.1 % sodium azide (made up in distilled water) at 2-8 °C until further use.

MIDI Spin Columns: We recommend that you wash the plugs with 10 ml elution buffer B2 (pH 2.5) by centrifuging the spin columns at 500 g for 3 min. Then, re-equilibrate the plugs with 10 ml binding buffer A by centrifuging the spin columns at 500 g for 3 min. Proceed to the pre-equilibration step if plugs are to be re-used immediately. Do note that spin times of used plugs may be longer. After regeneration, plugs can also be stored, without their end caps, in a beaker containing 0.1 % sodium azide (made up in distilled water) at 2-8°C until further use.

  • Do I need to perform regeneration of the Spin Column immediately after the elution step?

We do not recommend storing the resin columns in elution buffer pH 2.5. Prolonged storage in pH 2.5 buffer could harm the Protein A ligand. After the elution step, continue to the regeneration procedure. The resin plugs can then be stored for re-use.

  • Can I autoclave the Proteus Protein A and Protein G plugs?

The Proteus Protein A or G plugs cannot be autoclaved.

  • Do I need to be careful with the type of chaotropic ion I use when eluting antibodies from affinity columns?

It is recommended to use the mildest chaotropic agents at the lowest possible concentration that will ensure rapid elution and high recovery of activity. Iodination reactions employing either chloramine T or IODO-GEN (1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3-6-diphenylglycouril) are particularly sensitive to inhibition by low concentrations of thiocyanate ions and, if antibodies are eluted from affinity columns or Protein A affinity columns, using this chaotropic ion, it is essential that they are dialyzed thoroughly after elution to remove thiocyanate ions.

View our Proteus Antibody Purification Kits

Proteus Endotoxin Removal Kits – FAQs

  • What is the preferred rotor for the Proteus Endotoxin Removal MIDI spin columns?

The preferred rotor is a swing bucket rotor. For optimal performance with a fixed angle rotor, ensure that the orientation of the spin column in the rotor is the same for endotoxin binding, protein elution and washing.

  • Do I need to filter the buffers prepared in my laboratory?

It is good laboratory practice to filter all buffers.

  • Do I need to pre-filter my sample before loading it on to an Endotoxin Removal spin column?

All samples should be filtered through a final 0.2 μm syringe filter just before the sample loading step.

  • What are the typical binding capacities of Endotoxin Removal MIDI spin columns?

The typical endotoxin binding capacity is 30,000 EU/ml of resin for the Endotoxin Removal MIDI spin column and 450,000 EU/ml of resin for the Endotoxin Removal High Capacity MIDI Spin column.

  • How should I prepare my sample for the Endotoxin Removal spin column?

Many chromatographic procedures demand that the sample is pre-conditioned prior to loading. We recommend that all samples are pre-filtered down to a 0.2 μm pore size.

  • What is the maximum volume of solution I can load on to a MIDI spin column?

You can load up to 20 ml in a swing bucket rotor and up to 10 ml in a fixed angle rotor.

  • What is the highest speed that I should spin the Endotoxin Removal MIDI spin column?

There is no need to spin the devices at speeds greater than 1,000 x g. No performance data is available at centrifugal speeds greater than 1,500 x g.

  • Is there a minimum spin speed for the MIDI spin columns?

There are no minimum speeds for MIDI spin columns. The devices can be spun at speeds as low as 50 x g.

  • Why are the sample loading steps for the MIDI spin columns extended to 30 minutes?

The Endotoxin Removal resin plug incorporates a technologically advanced flow regulator which is designed to control the flow rate of the samples through the active column matrix. Observed yields and purities fluctuate as a direct function of the flow rate of the sample loading step. The flow regulator is pre-set to slow down the flow rate to an optimal capture speed. The increase in the residence time of the endotoxin molecules with the resin in the spin column increases substantially the removal of endotoxin from the target protein. However, unlike many other chromatography systems, there are negligible hold-up volumes and the removal of endotoxin is rapid.

  • How can I detect endotoxin levels in my sample?

There are many commercially available endotoxin detection instruments available in the market. However, based on test data reliability we recommend using the kinetic chromogenic or turbidometric LAL assay from Charles River Laboratories, Oregon, US.

  • Can I autoclave the Endotoxin Removal plugs?

The Endotoxin Removal plugs cannot be autoclaved.

  • Should I be concerned if the plugs partially dry out during the centrifugal steps?

The plugs are robust. Partially dried plug rehydrate rapidly. There are no adverse effects upon the performance of the plugs.

  • Can I re-use the Endotoxin Removal MIDI spin columns?

These are disposable columns where only one sample should be used for each Endotoxin Removal MIDI spin column.

  • How do I determine the protein recovery?

Protein recovery can be determined by measuring the sample absorbance at 280 nm of the sample before and after using the Proteus Endotoxin Removal spin column.

  • What are the typical protein recoveries?

Protein recoveries of >90% are achieved from a wide range of proteins across the pI spectrum with the Proteus Endotoxin Removal MIDI spin columns.

  • What is the working pH of the Endotoxin Removal resin?

The working pH range is between pH 4-8.

  • Does protein concentration have an effect on endotoxin removal and protein recovery?

Increasing the protein concentration increases protein recovery without significantly affecting endotoxin removal.

  • My protein sample contains glycerol. Will this affect the performance of the Proteus spin columns?

Glycerol does not impact upon the performance of the Endotoxin Removal column. 

View our Proteus Endotoxin Removal Kits