Fast protein liquid chromatography (fplc) system

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences awarded Eastern Washington University $176,423 on July 1, 2026, to acquire an AKTA PURE 25 fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system for biomolecule purification and research support under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859).

The FPLC system will replace gravity-flow purification methods currently used at the institution, enabling advanced chromatography-based purification and biochemical assays for protein characterization and small RNA purification. The instrument will support two ongoing NIH-funded research projects and serve as a teaching platform for a new protein-purification course and incorporation into upper-level biomedical classes. The system will provide Eastern Washington University students with hands-on training in a state-of-the-art instrument widely used in biomedical research, expanding the university's research and education capacity as a primarily undergraduate institution.

Performance takes place in Washington, with an ultimate completion date of March 31, 2027. The award is structured as a Project Grant, the assistance type used by NIGMS for investigator-initiated biomedical research.

Abstract

This proposal requests funds for acquisition of an akta pure 25 fast protein liquid chromatography (fplc) system for biomolecule purification at eastern washington university (EWU), a primarily undergraduate institute. This instrument will greatly enhance our research and education capacities. At EWU we strive to provide students with hands-on biomedical research experiences through our classes and research labs. The akta pure will provide a much needed high quality protein purification system for our biomedical research community. Currently our protein purification projects mainly use gravity flow purification methods with poor yield, and purification quality. With the akta pure, we will be able to make use of advanced purification methods, and perform chromatography based biochemical assays, considerably expanding our experimentation capabilities. The instrument will enable US to offer a new class focused on protein purification using the fplc. We will also incorporate fplc skills into several current upper-level classes. IT will support a diverse range of ongoing research projects, including two NIH funded projects, and allow researchers to gather data for new grant applications. Furthermore, IT will enable users to explore new avenues of research, such as small RNA purification and analytical chromatography techniques for protein characterization that we are currently not able to perform. The classes and research projects supported by the akta pure will provide a large number of EWU students the opportunity to gain training in a state of the art instrument widely used in biomedical research. Students will gain valuable research experience, and proficiency in using the fplc will give them a career-ready skill for the biomedical field. The akta pure fplc system will be an invaluable tool for advancing research and education at EWU.