Peptide & Purification

Automated Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesizer

Mechotech designs and manufactures automated solid-phase peptide synthesizers (SPPS) that build peptide chains one residue at a time on an insoluble resin support, automating the repetitive coupling, deprotection and wash cycles that define peptide chemistry. The system anchors the first amino acid to the resin and then adds each subsequent residue under programmed control, so the operator defines the sequence and the instrument executes it reproducibly from end to end. A multi-channel architecture runs several reaction vessels in parallel and asynchronously, letting a laboratory synthesize a panel of different sequences in a single unattended run. Built for research, biochemistry and molecular-biology laboratories, the platform supports both t-Boc and Fmoc strategies and handles complex, long and chemically modified sequences with consistent, high-fidelity results.

A Mechotech laboratory peptide synthesizer combines precise reagent metering, inert-gas mixing and independently addressable reaction vessels so that each channel can follow its own sequence, scale and cycle timing without waiting on the others. Amino-acid derivatives, activators, deprotection reagent and wash solvents are delivered by accurate dispensing from a shared fluidics manifold, while nitrogen bubbling agitates the resin bed for efficient mass transfer during coupling. Every step — activation, coupling, capping, Fmoc or Boc deprotection, and inter-step washing — is defined in an editable method and logged for full traceability, giving repeatable results run after run. The instrument is engineered for difficult syntheses, including long chains, aggregation-prone sequences and site-specific modifications such as labelling, cyclisation and non-natural residues. Reaction-vessel count, working scale and reagent-line configuration are all specified to the laboratory's throughput and chemistry, and the compliant control software brings audit trails and electronic records to method-driven synthesis.

Technical Specifications

Technology	Automated solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
Synthesis Strategy	t-Boc and Fmoc (configurable)
Architecture	Multi-channel, asynchronous parallel synthesis
Reaction Vessels	Configured to requirement — multiple independent channels
Working Scale	Research / laboratory scale (configurable per channel)
Agitation	Inert-gas (nitrogen) bubbling for resin mixing
Reagent Delivery	Precise automated dispensing from shared fluidics manifold
Dispense Accuracy	High-accuracy metered delivery (configurable)
Cycle Control	Programmable coupling, capping, deprotection and wash steps
Sequence Support	Long, cyclic, labelled and non-natural-residue peptides
Software	FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, with audit trail and e-records
Product-contact Material	Chemically resistant fluid path (PTFE / borosilicate / SS)
Utilities	Inert gas, electrical power, solvent and waste handling
Output	Resin-bound crude peptide ready for cleavage

Plant Capacities

Vessel Scale	Usage	Channels	Strategy	Control
Micro / screening	Library & analogue panels	Multiple parallel	Fmoc / t-Boc	21 CFR Part 11 software
Small research	Single custom peptides	Multiple parallel	Fmoc / t-Boc	21 CFR Part 11 software
Standard research	Routine lab synthesis	Multiple parallel	Fmoc / t-Boc	21 CFR Part 11 software
Larger research	Scale-up feasibility	Configurable	Fmoc / t-Boc	21 CFR Part 11 software

Reaction-vessel scale, channel count and reagent-line configuration are specified to each laboratory's chemistry and throughput. Scales shown are typical research ranges — custom configurations on request.

Manufacturing Process

Resin Loading

The chosen resin is charged to each reaction vessel and pre-swelled in solvent so the growing peptide chain has an accessible, evenly wetted support for synthesis.

Amino-Acid Activation

The next Fmoc- or Boc-protected amino acid is metered with an activator to form the reactive species just before it is delivered to the resin.

Coupling

The activated residue is dispensed into the vessel and mixed by inert-gas bubbling, forming the new amide bond while nitrogen agitation drives efficient mass transfer.

Washing

Excess reagents and by-products are flushed from the resin with programmed solvent washes to prevent carry-over into the next step.

Deprotection

The temporary N-terminal protecting group is removed — piperidine for Fmoc or acid treatment for t-Boc — to expose the amine for the following coupling.

Capping (Optional)

Any unreacted chains are acetylated so that deletion sequences are terminated early, improving the purity of the final full-length peptide.

Cycle Repetition

The synthesizer repeats coupling, washing and deprotection for each residue in the programmed sequence, running multiple channels asynchronously and in parallel.

Final Wash & Handover

On completion the resin-bound peptide is given a final wash and dried, ready for downstream cleavage from the resin and side-chain deprotection.

Applications

Research-scale synthesis of custom peptides for academic and industrial laboratories
Parallel synthesis of peptide libraries and analogue panels for screening
Antigen, epitope and vaccine-candidate peptides for immunology
Peptide substrates, inhibitors and probes for enzymology and cell biology
Labelled, biotinylated and fluorescently tagged peptides for assays
Cyclic, stapled and non-natural amino-acid modified sequences
Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies in medicinal chemistry
Molecular-biology, biochemistry and proteomics reference standards

Key Features

Multi-Channel Parallel Synthesis
Independently addressable reaction vessels run asynchronously and in parallel, so a panel of different sequences is produced in one unattended run.
Dual t-Boc & Fmoc Strategies
The chemistry module supports both Boc and Fmoc protecting-group strategies, giving flexibility across classical and modern SPPS routes.
Reproducible Automated Cycles
Programmed activation, coupling, capping, deprotection and wash steps repeat identically every cycle for consistent, high-fidelity results.
Handles Complex Sequences
Engineered for long, aggregation-prone and modified peptides — including cyclisation, labelling and non-natural residues — where manual synthesis struggles.
Precise Reagent Dispensing
Accurate metering of amino acids, activators, deprotection reagent and washes with inert-gas mixing ensures efficient coupling and minimal reagent waste.
Compliant Control Software
Method-driven control with audit trails and electronic records under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for traceable, repeatable programmed synthesis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a solid-phase peptide synthesizer?

It is an instrument that builds peptides on an insoluble resin support, automating the repetitive cycle of amino-acid coupling, deprotection and washing. The operator programs the target sequence and the synthesizer adds each residue in turn, producing a resin-bound peptide reproducibly and with minimal manual handling.

What is the difference between Fmoc and t-Boc synthesis?

Fmoc and t-Boc refer to the temporary protecting group on the amino-acid's amine. Fmoc is removed under mild basic conditions and is the most widely used modern strategy, while t-Boc is removed under acidic conditions and suits certain classical or difficult sequences. Mechotech synthesizers support both strategies.

Can it run several different peptides at once?

Yes. The multi-channel architecture provides independently addressable reaction vessels that operate asynchronously and in parallel, so different sequences, scales and cycle timings can run together in a single unattended batch — ideal for peptide libraries and analogue panels.

Can it make complex or modified peptides?

The platform is engineered for demanding chemistry, including long chains, aggregation-prone sequences, cyclic and stapled peptides, and site-specific modifications such as labelling, biotinylation and non-natural amino acids, with consistent full-length yields.

How does it ensure reproducibility?

Every step is defined in an editable method and executed identically each cycle, with precise reagent metering, inert-gas mixing and full logging. The compliant software keeps audit trails and electronic records so results are traceable and repeatable run after run.

Is the control software regulatory-ready?

Yes. The control software is designed for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, with electronic records, audit trails and access control, supporting laboratories that need traceable, data-integrity-compliant synthesis records.

Does Mechotech supply the synthesizer turnkey?

Yes. Mechotech delivers the peptide synthesizer as a complete package — instrument, fluidics, compliant control software, installation, commissioning and after-sales support — configured to the laboratory's chemistry and throughput.

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Automated Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesizer