Automated polypeptide synthesis apparatus

US4668476A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Applied Biosystems, LLC · US

Inventors

• John Bridgham · Hillsborough, US
• Timothy G. Geiser · Petaluma, US
• Michael W. Hunkapiller · Redwood City, US
• Stephen B. H. Kent · Melbourne, AU
• Mark P. Marriott · Los Altos, US
• Paul O. Ramstad · San Jose, US
• Eric S. Nordman · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 1984
• Grant date: May 26, 1987
• Expiry date: Mar 23, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C40B60/14
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for automatically constructing a polypeptide of high purity, up to 50 amino acids in length, using only single couplings. The apparatus includes an activation system for receiving protected amino acids, one kind at a time, having a common vessel (an activator vessel) in which to activate each of the amino acids. Also included is a reaction vessel for containing a resin used in solid-phase peptide synthesis for attaching a peptide chain thereto. A transfer system is also provided, which operates under control of a computer, to transfer the activated species from the activation system to the reaction vessel and to transfer amino acids, reagents, gases, and solvents from one part of the apparatus to another.