Responsible: Ângela Sousa; Eugénia Gallardo
CICS-UBI has modern and sophisticated instrumentation for chromatographic analysis, and two chromatographic techniques are extensively used, namely gas chromatography (GC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). For analytical chromatography experiments, different detection platforms are available for the HPLC systems (Waters 600, Agilent 1260, Agilent 1290 and Thermo Surveyor Plus), such as diode array, refraction index, fluorescence, electrochemical and coulometry, as well as mass spectrometric detectors. In order to complement these valences, we still have a gas chromatography system coupled to mass spectrometry (Agilent 7000). The implementation of new methods, the assessment of synthesis yields, the quantification and identification of plant and food extracts, therapeutic or abuse drugs, and other analytes in biological and non-biological samples are performed on a daily basis.
A second laboratory is equipped with a FPLC system (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), an ÄKTA Purifier, an ÄKTA Pure and an ÄKTA Avant 25 FPLC/HPLC systems (GE Healthcare) that are mainly used at preparative scale for the purification of different biomolecules. The design and implementation of purification methods, well integrated in biotechnology platforms, aim the purification of biopharmaceuticals, such as therapeutic proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids.
