Lil' Tuna
The first fully automated, plate-based, benchtop buffer exchange system
Automated buffer exchange with plate-based throughput
Lil’ Tuna is the first automated, plate-based ultrafiltration and diafiltration (UF/DF) system for buffer exchanging, concentrating, or desalting proteins, viral vectors and nucleic acids - with consistently high recoveries. Process 1 to 96 samples in parallel with minimal hands-on time and achieve consistent and reliable sample prep for formulation screening, stability testing or any other downstream assay. Get brochure.
• Plates or single samples: Run 96- or 24-well plates or 1-6 single samples.
• Parallel processing with flexible volumes: 96-well plates can handle 100 – 450 µL while 24-well plates and single samples hold from 0.45 - 8 mL of each sample.
• Stellar recoveries: Get ≥96% of your sample back during buffer exchange or concentration.
• Concentration with full process control: Concentrate samples with precise, automated final volume control.
• Durable, low-binding consumables: Choose regenerated cellulose (RC) or polyethersulfone (PES) membranes – whichever works best for your sample.
• Hands-free operation: Load your samples, set up your run and let Lil’ Tuna handle the entire UF/DF process on its own.
• Automation-ready: Universal API software and robot-accessible sample stage let Lil’ Tuna seamlessly integrate.
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Check out Lil' Tuna
Whatever floats your throughput boat
Whether you’re running a handful of samples or a massive formulation screen — Lil’ Tuna swims in your lane. Go big with Unfilter 96 or 24 plates for boatloads of samples or keep it light and run 1 to 6 Unas. You get your choice of membrane chemistries and molecular weight cutoffs to suit your sample — with recoveries ≥96%.
Just flow with it
Lil’ Tuna uses our tried-and-tested pressure-based UF/DF approach for buffer exchange. Each run starts with a check of the initial sample volume in each well using an ultrasonic volume sensor. Then samples are pressurized to send the filtrate through the membrane while gentle mixing keeps things evenly distributed and flowing smoothly. The volume gets checked again and Lil’ Tuna refills each well with your exchange buffer. This cycle repeats until your samples reach your target exchange percent and volume.
Dive deep on concentration
Sometimes samples need to be concentrated before they’re ready for downstream assays. Lil’ Tuna can take a liter of dilute sample and bring it down to 192 mL — or even lower with a subsequent concentration step.
Tackle thick exchanges
High viscosity means longer buffer exchange times — but Lil’ Tuna has a fix for that. By adding exchange buffer before the first pressurization step, samples flow efficiently and viscosity stays in check throughout the run.
Swim through setup
Setting up a run on Lil’ Tuna is super simple. Quickly design your exchange in the software — set your target exchange percentage and volume, then click and drag samples and buffers into each well. The pipette guide shows you what to load where so there’s no guess work when handling multiple samples. Set your loaded plates or Unas on the stage, fill your buffer bottles, hit start, and Lil’ Tuna sets sail.
Check your line
Check back whenever you want — Lil’ Tuna tracks exchange cycles completed, current filtration status, percent exchanged per sample, and estimated time remaining. If some samples finish early, pause the run to pull them out while the rest keep going. Either way, Lil’ Tuna tells you when it’s a wrap.
Sync up the whole school
Lil’ Tuna seamlessly integrates into your automated lab with API software, a sample stage designed for easy access and simple template import functions. Link up Lil’ Tuna to analytical tools and workflows solutions — Lil’ Tuna swims in perfect unison with any automation setup.
Tech
Specifications
| Application | |
|---|---|
| Buffer exchange volume range | Una: 0.45-8 mL Unfilter 24: 0.45-8 mL Unfilter 96: 100-450 μL |
| Formulations | Up to 6 formulations in parallel |
| Samples | Una: up to 6 samples in parallel Unfilter 24: up to 24 samples in parallel Unfilter 96: up to 96 samples in parallel |
| Sample types | Antibodies and other proteins, nucleic acids, viral vectors |
| Exchange time at full volume (96%, at 10 mg/mL IgG) | Una: 4.5 hours* Unfilter 24: 4.5 hours* Unfilter 96: 3 hours* |
| Protein concentration (range) | Up to 200 mg/mL* |
| Dispense precision | <300 μL: ≤3 μL 0.3–8 mL: ≤1% |
| Target concentration accuracy | ±10%* |
| Sample recovery | ≥96%* |
| System | |
|---|---|
| Volume measurement | Ultrasonic sensor |
| Exchange pressures | 15-60 psi |
| Operating temperature | Room temperature |
| Buffer exchange orbital mixing | Unfilter 24 and Una: optimized at 700 rpm Unfilter 96: optimized at 875 rpm Duty cycle programmable |
| Physical | 36.8 cm W x 57.8 cm D x 37.2 cm H; 38.4 kg (instrument) |
| Electrical | Voltage 100-260 VAC, 50-60 Hz |
| Nitrogen or CDA requirement | Pressure 0.55–0.9 MPa (80–130 psi) |
| Consumables | |
|---|---|
| Una | 10, 30, and 100 kDa, regenerated cellulose 30 and 100 kDa polyethersulfone |
| Unfilter 24 | 10, 30, and 100 kDa, regenerated cellulose |
| Unfilter 96 | 3, 10, 30, and 100 kDa, regenerated cellulose |
