Odense, Denmark — Proxeon announced today the release of the company’s second generation instrument, EASY-nLC™ II, optimized for LC-MS applications in proteomics and providing scientists with the opportunity to significantly improve system productivity as a result of a new autosampler and upgraded software.

The company’s EASY-nLC platform utilizes a so-called ‘split-free’ configuration to enhance sensitivity, reproducibility and system stability. The success of this approach has been demonstrated by the original EASY-nLC system which is already established as the system of choice for major mass spectrometry suppliers and many prestigious proteomics laboratories.

The EASY-nLC II system continues to offer the unrivalled ease of use and excellent performance of its predecessor, but has been optimized to increase system productivity. The new autosampler features a fully insulated, refrigerated compartment with increased capacity for sample vials and wash-solvents, enabling the system to run unattended for longer than ever before. A novel ‘intelligent flow control’ feature enables runs to be preprogrammed to user-defined pressure limits, ensuring rapid build-up of pressure and flow, speeding up equilibration and sample loading steps and eliminating the interruptions that can occur due to pressure fluctuations. In addition, the class-leading automated self-diagnostic tests of the EASY-nLC systems have been enhanced to ensure that users spend even less time troubleshooting. For example, the system can now pinpoint the location of solvent leaks.

EASY-nLC II systems are delivered pre-configured to interface and synchronize easily with any MS system and can be installed and running within hours. Wizard-style programming assists with defining optimal running conditions. The system is easily switched between 1- or 2-column configurations and, by using the autosampler as a third pump, can also be used to run two-dimensional mass spectrometry analyses (2D LC-MS), a configuration shown to enable identification of more proteins than conventional approaches.

Mårten Winge, Proxeon’s CEO, explained: “Feedback from proteomics scientists working in leading laboratories throughout the world has been, and continues to be, a vital part in shaping our product development plans. Since the first EASY-nLC systems entered the market, we have maintained a philosophy of continuous improvement in hardware and software. The EASY-nLC II system is the culmination of a project in which attention to detail, from the smallest software feature to significant hardware changes, has produced a system that retains the excellent performance of its predecessor while significantly improving overall productivity.”