Systems and methods for performing a real-time glycan assay of a sample

1. A method for preparing a sample in real-time for glycan analysis, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) moving a sample comprising polypeptides to a polypeptide-binding column via a holding coil and a single multi-port valve, wherein the single multi-port valve is fluidly coupled to and located downstream of the holding coil, and the polypeptide-binding column is fluidly coupled to and downstream of the single multi-port valve;

(b) binding polypeptides in the sample to the polypeptide-binding column;

(c) moving glycanases to the polypeptide-binding column via the holding coil and the single multi-port valve to release glycans from the bound polypeptides;

(d) moving, via the single multi-port valve, a carrier solution to the polypeptide-binding column, via the holding coil and single multi-port valve, and through the polypeptide-binding column, thereby moving the released glycans out of the first polypeptide column;

(e) mixing the released glycans with a glycan-labeling reagent downstream of the polypeptide-binding column;

(f) moving the mixture of the released glycans and the glycan-labeling reagent to a reaction coil arranged downstream of the polypeptide-binding column;

(g) incubating the mixture of the released glycans and the glycan-labeling reagent in the reaction coil, thereby labeling the glycans;

(h) moving the mixture to a cooling coil arranged downstream of the reaction coil;

(i) reducing a temperature of the mixture via the cooling coil;

(j) moving the cooled mixture to a glycan-binding column arranged downstream of the cooling coil;

(k) binding the labeled glycans to the glycan-binding column; and

(l) moving, via the single multi-port valve, an elution buffer to the glycan-binding column and through the glycan-binding column to elute the labeled glycans bound to the glycan-binding column.

2. A method for preparing a sample in real-time for glycan analysis in a closed system comprising a single multi-port valve, a holding coil upstream of the single multi-port valve, a polypeptide-binding column fluidly coupled to and downstream of a first port of the single multi-port valve, a reaction coil arranged downstream of the polypeptide-binding column, a cooling coil arranged downstream of the reaction coil, and a glycan-binding column arranged downstream of the cooling coil and fluidly coupled to and downstream of a second port of the single multi-port valve, the method comprising:

(a) moving, via a controller communicatively coupled to the closed system, a sample comprising polypeptides from a vessel containing the polypeptides to the holding coil;

(b) positioning, via the controller, the single multi-port valve in a first position in which the holding coil is fluidly coupled to the polypeptide-binding column via the first port of the single multi-port valve, such that the sample flows to the polypeptide-binding column, whereby the polypeptides in the sample bind to the first polypeptide column;

(c) when the single multi-port valve is in the first position, moving, via the controller, glycanases to the polypeptide-binding column via the holding coil to release glycans from the bound polypeptides, and then moving, via the controller, a carrier solution to the polypeptide-binding column, via the holding coil, and through the polypeptide-binding column, thereby moving the released glycans out of the polypeptide-binding column;

(d) moving, via the controller, the released glycans toward the reaction coil;

(e) moving, via the controller, a glycan labeling reagent toward the released glycans prior to reaching the reaction coil, such that the glycan labeling reagent mixes with the released glycans and the glycanases;

(f) moving, via the controller, the mixture to the reaction coil, whereby the glycans in the mixture are labeled;

(g) moving, via the controller, the mixture to a cooling coil arranged downstream of the reaction coil, thereby reducing a temperature of the mixture;

(h) moving, via the controller, the cooled mixture to a glycan column arranged downstream of the cooling coil, whereby the labeled glycans bind to the glycan-binding column;

(i) positioning, via the controller, the single multi-port valve in a second position in which the glycan-binding column is fluidly coupled to a source of elution buffer solution via the second port of the single multi-port valve;

(j) when the single multi-port valve is in the second position, moving, via the controller, the elution buffer from the elution buffer source to the glycan-binding column, and through the glycan-binding column, thereby eluting glycans bound to the glycan-binding column; and

(k) moving, via the controller, the eluted glycans to a glycan analysis device.