PEAQ-DSC Automated

Gold standard protein stability analysis for the regulated environment

The PEAQ-DSC Automated, a MicroCal technology, delivers high throughput, highly sensitive protein stability analysis with low sample consumption, in an automated, integrated platform for increased productivity.  All cell filling and cleaning functions are fully automated for walk-away operation.

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Overview

The high-throughput, high-sensitivity PEAQ-DSC Automated, a MicroCal technology, features software that streamlines workflows through simplified experimental setup and flexible instrument scheduling.

Automated data analysis supports the generation of high-integrity thermal stability data and delivers compliance with regulatory requirements, whilst allowing easy integration into existing data handling and transfer systems.

The PEAQ-DSC is also available as a manual system without the autosampler.

Key Features

  • Gold standard stability-indicating technique requiring minimal assay development 

  • Direct and label-free measurement of biomolecular native-state stability in solution 

  • Standard 96-well plate format for high capacity and easy loading, with thermostatically-controlled storage of up to 6 plates

  • Fully integrated autosampler enables unattended analysis of up to 50 samples per day

  • Automated cell filling and cell cleaning functions permit unattended operation 

  • Measurement of very tight binding constants, up to 1020M-1

  • Powerful PEAQ-DSC software minimizes typical data analysis time 

Data and software

Data generated by the MicroCal PEAQ-DSC Automated provide critical guidance for biopharmaceutical development in protein engineering, (pre)formulation development, process development, manufacturing change control and biosimilarity and biocomparability studies. 

Unattended operation enables 24-hour screening, while the integrated software streamlines workflows, facilitates non-subjective data analysis, performance qualification and compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11 regulations, all delivering high integrity data and driving productivity in biopharmaceutical research.

Powerful MicroCal PEAQ-DSC software minimizes typical data analysis time and includes:

  • PEAQ-Compliance: The system is available with Malvern Access Controller (MAC) to limit access to user-defined SOPs and data analysis features. Data can be displayed using the Report Generator with user details and the ability to sign using electronic signatures to facilitate the integration of the workflow into your company’s quality system and aid compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11 regulations. This is provided as an optional accessory
  • PEAQ-Performance: Automatically detects and validates system readiness for optimal performance
  • PEAQ-Smart (including PEAQ-Finder): For SOP-based operation and data analysis.  Provides new algorithms to detect even subtle peaks and shoulders, facilitating the automatic, non-subjective identification of multiple transitions, such as those seen in multi-domain proteins
  • PEAQ-Compare: For the quantitative comparison of DSC traces for comparability studies, ideal for batch-to-batch and biosimilarity studies
  • Network-ready: email updates sent during the analysis to keep you informed of assay progress

What is DSC?

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a powerful analytical tool for characterizing the thermal stability of proteins and other biomolecules. The technique measures the enthalpy (ΔH) and temperature (Tm) of thermally-induced structural transitions of molecules in solution. This information provides valuable insights into factors that stabilize or destabilize proteins, nucleic acids, micellar complexes and other macromolecular systems. 

The data are used to predict shelf-life of biomolecular products including biopharmaceuticals, to enable batch-to-batch and biosimilar versus innovator molecule comparisons, to develop purification strategies, to characterize and evaluate protein constructs, and to rank the affinities of ligands to their protein targets in small molecule drug discovery programs.

Data analysis and measured/derived parameters are described in greater detail on the Differential Scanning Calorimetry technology page.

How it works

Functional structures formed by proteins and other macromolecules often undergo temperature-induced conformational changes, such as unfolding. These changes result in the absorption of heat as a result of the redistribution of non-covalent bonds within the molecule. Differential Scanning Calorimeters measure this heat uptake very precisely.

The thermal core of the PEAQ-DSC system contains a sample cell (containing the sample of interest) and a reference cell (containing a matched buffer solution), both of which are housed within an insulating jacket. These two cells are always maintained at the same temperature, and during a measurement, they are heated at a constant scan rate. 

As the molecule within the sample cell unfolds, heat is absorbed, creating a temperature difference (ΔT) between the sample cell and the reference cell. This results in a thermal gradient across the Peltier units, creating a proportional voltage, which is in turn converted to power to form a feedback loop to the Peltier units, in order to return ΔT to zero.

Since protein unfolding is an endothermic event, it is observed as a positive displacement in the thermogram. The midpoint of this protein ‘melting’ transition is the Tm, and the area under the curve is the enthalpy (ΔH) of the unfolding process.

Applications

Biotherapeutic Discovery, Development and Manufacturing

The PEAQ-DSC Automated is trusted throughout the biopharmaceutical industry to provide valuable stability data for biotherapeutics in discovery, development and manufacturing. This is because of the universal nature of the detection method, the ability to detect very subtle changes in the conformation of biologic drugs and the high reproducibility of the data. 

Webinar: Solve stability problems in preformulation and process development using DSC 

Application note: Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry to accelerate liquid formulation development for protein biopharmaceuticals 

Biosimilarity and Biocomparabilty

The highly reproducible nature of the MicroCal PEAQ-DSC instruments and the ability of the technique to detect even changes to a single amino acid in a protein have been the core drivers behind the use of DSC data in submissions for approval for biosimilar drugs. The MicroCal PEAQ-DSC software has a biosimilarity tool for statistical comparison with the innovator drug.

Whitepaper: Characterization of biopharmaceutical stability with Differential Scanning Calorimetry: Biosimilarity and batch-to-batch comparability 

Characterization of Antibody Drug Conjugates and Vaccines

DSC, DLS and other biophysical technique can be used to study the stability of Antibody Drug Candidates and the effects of antibody drug ratios on their stability and propensity to aggregate. The example below also show how DSC can be used to measure the kinetics of inactivation by heating over a broad range of scan rates.

Webinar: Biophysical and stability characterization of antibody-drug conjugates  

Specification

General

Technology Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Measurement type
Temperature midpoint (TM)
Enthalpy (ΔH)
Heat capacity change (ΔCp)

Cell

Cell Capillary
Cell material Tantalum
Cell volume 130 μL

Sample

Sample capacity 288 (6 × 96-well plates)
Sample volume 325 µL
Typical sample concentration 0.01 mg/mL – 10 mg/mL 1
Sample throughput ≤50 samples/day
Sample storage temperature range 4 - 40 °C

System

Noise 0.05 μCal/°C 2
Baseline repeatability 1 μCal/°C 2
Response time 5s 2
Repeatability <0.2 µCal/°C 3
Reproducibility <0.08 °C St. Dev. TM
<2% RSD on ΔH 4
System reproducibility <0.1 °C St. Dev. TM
<5% RSD on ΔH 4
Multiple feedback modes Yes (passive, high gain and low gain)
Temperature range 2 - 130 °C 2, 5
Maximum scan rate 240 °C/h
Reverse scanning Yes
Pressure perturbation calorimetry (PPC) N/A
Cleaning routines 3 pre-programmed routines
Cleaning solvents Water and detergent used as standard

Software

21 CFR part 11 Yes, with PEAQ-Compliance software option
Network ready Yes, with email alert capability

Operating environment

Operating temperature (°C) 10 - 28 °C
Storage temperature -20 - 50 °C
Humidity 10% to 70%, non-condensing (10% to 90% for storage)
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP21
Power 100-240 V A/C, 50/60 Hz, 70 W (cell), 400 W (max, autosampler), PC as supplied
Certification CE (EN61010-1), EMC (EN61326-2-1, EN61326-1, FCC, ICES, VCCI), ISO9001:2008

Weight and dimensions

Dimensions (W, D, H) 101 cm × 68 cm × 70 cm
Weight 25 kg

Notes

1 Sample dependent
2  Typical results for ribonuclease (RNase) in 50 mM KAc buffer at pH 5.5, at 60°C/h with high feedback
3 Rescans of a stable buffer
4 Using ribonuclease (RNase)
5 Range may be extended down to -10°C upon request

User manuals

Software downloads

25 October 2021

2.21

Malvern Access Configurator (MAC) software
  • Security and maintenance release. See SUN for details.
2.21

26 June 2018

2.20

Malvern Access Configurator (MAC) software
  • Searching and exporting the audit history
2.20

05 September 2017

2.10

Malvern Access Configurator (MAC) software
  • Initial release
2.10

05 July 2023

1.64

Maintenance release

1.64

09 September 2022

1.63

Maintenance release

1.63

13 December 2021

1.62

Maintenance release

1.62

02 August 2021

1.61

Maintenance release

1.61

10 May 2021

1.60

Maintenance release

1.60

16 September 2020

1.53

Maintenance release

1.53

20 March 2020

1.52

Maintenance release

1.52

22 August 2019

1.51

Maintenance release

1.51

25 June 2019

1.50

Maintenance release

1.50

08 January 2019

1.40

Maintenance release

1.40

01 February 2018

1.30

Maintenance release

1.30

13 October 2017

1.22

Maintenance release

13 February 2018

1.21

Maintenance release

1.21

04 July 2017

1.20

Initial release of MicroCal PEAQ-DSC software

1.20

Unleash the full potential of your Malvern Panalytical solution

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Unmatched uptime and performance


Malvern Panalytical instruments are built to last and good maintenance and care ensure continued peak performance for many years to come.

Service Agreements build this into your schedule and budget, based on preventive maintenance and remote support. Different levels include repair visits, response times and parts coverage as needed. OQ services, training and application consultancy can be added as well.

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Service Agreements
Find out more about our service agreement options tailored for you
Learn more >>

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Advanced analysis and actionable insights


  • Basic User Training: Master the art of optimal PEAQ-DSC usage and determine whether your measurements, sample preparation, and data are accurate and reliable – all while uncovering invaluable maintenance tips and tricks.  Find your online or offline classroom training course.
  • Customized Application Training: A training journey personalized to your application needs, covering aspects from sample taking and method development to data and results interpretation. Our application scientists share in-depth theory and best practices to make sure you’re getting the most out of your PEAQ-DSC measurements and instruments.
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Easy start and streamlined routine operations


  • Setting up for success: Our PEAQ-DSC onboarding starts with our expert support engineers on-site. A comprehensive warranty and a starter training program are complimentary, so you can get straight to your important analyses.
  • Software and Manuals: Easily find manuals and our latest software versions online to benefit from new features and to stay up to date.
  • Webinars and App Notes: Access a comprehensive catalog of resources, such as recorded webinars, white papers, and app notes to support your analytical journey. 
  • Parts and Consumables - MyStoreOur online store makes access to your parts, consumables, accessories, and software convenient and efficient. Check availability and pricing, self-service quotes and order on card or account, 24/7. 
  • Support Portal: Our professional service team is ready to assist you – fast-track your service request on  Malvern Panalytical My Customer Support Portal or view your system details and service history at a glance.
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Want to speak to a service expert or find the services that are just right for you?


Reach out to our experts and evaluate your services needs and business risks by answering a few questions around the usage of your Malvern Panalytical instrument.


Contact Service Team

*Please note that the exact details of our services and their availability are determined by a variety of customer-specific factors, such as product type, product configuration, or location.

The Gold Standard for structural stability analysis

The Gold Standard for structural stability analysis

Powerful characterization tools for characterization of the thermal stability of proteins and other biomolecules in biopharmaceutical development, manufacture and beyond. Simple to use, requires little assay development, and needs no labeling or immobilization.

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