Oliver De Peyer, an automation specialist at MeiraGTx, a pharmaceutical company in London, presents on the automation of resin processes, specifically focusing on gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses (AAV). The presentation begins with an overview of lab automation, highlighting the importance of automating both mass methods, such as qPCR, and bespoke methods for new R&D techniques. De Peyer emphasises the use of Hamilton STAR equipment for these processes, noting the benefits of having a single vendor for all automation needs.
The first project discussed is the automation of binding and elution of AAV viral capsid from chromatographic resin. De Peyer detailed the steps involved, including binding the viral capsid to the resin, eluting it, and achieving high-purity elution. The process was conducted on a small scale, with the potential for scaling up for analytical chromatography or bioprocessing. A key challenge was fitting the process on the Hamilton STAR equipment, which was successfully achieved, saving significant engineering time.
De Peyer also describes the use of a 96-well matrix for the experiments, allowing for the automation of 192 unique volumes in one run. The challenges of working with viscous resins and diverse additives are addressed by developing a single liquid class that could handle various compounds. The results showed high accuracy and precision, meeting the required standards for the experiments.
The second project involved aqueous two-phase separation, a technique used to purify AAV viral capsid by separating it into one phase of a two-phase system. The process required careful mixing and dispensing of high molecular weight PEGs. De Peyer highlights the importance of low-speed dispensing and off-deck mixing to achieve reproducible results. The experiments confirmed the in-silico modelling predictions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique.
De Peyer summarises the successful development of the two automated processes, acknowledging the compromises made and the potential for future enhancements.