DataApex founder and general manager Jan Hrubý explains how a combination of serendipity and a spike of post-communist innovation led to the birth of company that spent 30 years perfecting data acquisition, processing, and instrument control software to give us <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/product/clarity-std">Clarity</a>.
<h5>Tell us about the genesis of DataApex…</h5>
I was born and raised in communist Czechoslovakia, which was occupied by the Soviet army until I turned four. My great love and hobby since childhood was electronics and later computers, which I eventually studied at university in the 1980s – though I never actually saw a computer with my own eyes the whole time! Immediately after the fall of communism in 1989, my friends and I started thinking about starting a business.
But I suppose it was my then mother-inlaw who was really responsible for founding DataApex. She was an excellent scientist, but her instrumentation was limited. In the early 1990s, she asked me if I could build a better integrator for her – in other words, a tool for measuring and evaluating chromatograms.
Sometimes things come together at the right time in the right place. My best friend – an excellent programmer – was studying for his PhD at the University of Science and Technology, Czech Republic, and his friend was writing his thesis on modern integration algorithms at the same time. So, a decision was made, and six months later we handed over to my mother-in-law the first working version of the PC software, including our own A/D converter.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Zakladatel_a_generalni_reditel_Data_Apex_Jan_Hruby_24c940f666/DataApex-Zakladatel-a-generalni-reditel-DataApex-Jan-Hruby.jpg" alt="DataApex:Founder and CEO of DataApex Jan Hrubý"/>
<h5>What challenges did you face starting a software company from scratch in those times?</h5>
There were many challenges; where should I start? First, a computer in the early 1990s cost about 10–20 monthly salaries; we couldn’t afford to buy one, so we took turns using one at the university. Second, A/D converter parts were also pricey (for us), so we had to visit the electronic bazaars in Munich to drive down the cost. Third, because private business was forbidden in Czechoslovakia for 40 years until 1989, we didn’t have many mentors to learn from. The list is long but, fortunately, we were young and full of optimism about the freedom we had gained, so we embraced all the challenges!
<h5>Tell us about your chromatography software, Clarity, and the company culture…</h5>
I can say with some satisfaction that Clarity is a mature product after thirty years of development. The current generation – our third iteration – speaks six languages, runs over 1,000 chromatography instruments across almost every manufacturer around the world, and is sold in more than 100 countries.
Though we are a single product company, we have several variants of Clarity that cover the needs of diverse customers; we have simple and affordable software for legacy chromatographs (it is often impossible to find original software), an educational version for universities, and more sophisticated solutions for tightly regulated markets and GC/LC-MS instruments, for instance. But all variants share one thing in common: they are reliable and easy to use.
And because we’re a single product company, all staff are united by a singular focus, which results in a family-like atmosphere and a level of dedication that is otherwise hard to cultivate. As a result, our customers are often surprised by how quickly our support team reacts – sometimes they ask if our support colleagues get any sleep. (Yes, they do!).
Finally, our chromatography instrument manufacturer partners know and trust that we are – and want to continue to be – an independent and vendor-neutral company.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Founder_and_CEO_of_Data_Apex_Jan_Hruby_and_his_great_hobby_yachting_39f5593220/DataApex-Founder-and-CEO-of-DataApex-Jan-Hruby-and-his-great-hobby-yachting.jpg" alt="DataApex: Founder and CEO of DataApex Jan Hrubý and his great hobby yachting"/>
<h5>Where can people find out more?</h5>
Our company policy is very open and virtually all information is available on <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/">our website dataapex.com</a>. We post all news on social media, especially <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/dataapex/?trk=public_profile_topcard_current_company">on LinkedIn</a>, and there are dozens of short tutorial videos and brief video tips and tricks available <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/dataapex">on YouTube</a>, for example. We have an extensive network of trained distributors all over the world. We also offer <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/download?product_filter=2">demos or free trial versions</a>.
<h5>What are your hopes for the field – and for DataApex?</h5>
I long for a unified communication interface for all analytical instruments that is independent of manufacturers and available to all – as well as a uniform analytical data format for easy exchange and sharing among software platforms. Everyone in the industry is calling for both – but, for many reasons (some obvious and some unclear), neither are forthcoming.
Finally (and mainly), I dream of delivering Clarity to a lab on Mars!

Supporting Chromatography Everywhere – Even Mars

The upgrade to the Clarity version 9.0 version is paid, a new user code is needed for this version. Customers who purchased their Clarity software after July 25th, 2022 are eligible for a free-of-charge upgrade under the condition they have <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/swregistration?set_sn=1">registered their software</a>. Please refer to the <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/product/upgrade">upgrade details</a>.
<blockquote>
💡 <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/product/clarity-demo">Download our free Clarity Demo version</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
💡 A detailed list of changes is available in <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/version_history?version=9.0">whatsnew</a>.
</blockquote>
<h3>What is new in Clarity 9.0?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Improvements of the Integration Algorithm – new algorithm Wave based on previous Experimental</li>
<li>Batch dialog redesign, improved handling of calibration during reprocessing</li>
<li>Improvements in Audit Trail</li>
<li>Clarity design adjusted to the Windows 11 environment</li>
<li>A new option Move down after Enter in Sequence Table to support barcode readers</li>
<li>Updated SW upgrade policy including paid upgrades of major versions</li>
<li>New and updated control modules</li>
</ul>
<h3>Batch Dialog</h3>
<ul>
<li>Options regrouped to reflect the real workflow</li>
<li>Calibration cloning from Batch issue fixed</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Batch_Dialog_in_new_in_Clarity_9_0_cf2d812841/DataApex-Batch-Dialog-in-new-in-Clarity-9.0.jpg" alt="DataApex: Batch Dialog in new in Clarity 9.0"/>
<h3>Audit Trail</h3>
<ul>
<li>Logging of system messages and pop-up windows improved</li>
<li>It now contains info about the instrument and user</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Audit_Trail_in_new_in_Clarity_9_0_c36d04f379/DataApex-Audit-Trail-in-new-in-Clarity-9.0.jpg" alt="DataApex: Audit Trail in new in Clarity 9.0"/>
<h3>Integration algorithm - WAVE</h3>
<ul>
<li>New Wave Integration Algorithm based on previous Experimental algorithm
<ul>
<li>In most cases, integration using just Global Parameters and Integration Interval works better</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Selection of Integration Algorithm moved to the Integration tab
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
For more details refer to <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/download/manuals">Clarity 9.0 vs 8.8 manual</a>
</blockquote>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Integration_algorithm_WAVE_in_new_in_Clarity_9_0_c72146007a/DataApex-Integration-algorithm-WAVE-in-new-in-Clarity-9.0.jpg" alt="DataApex: Integration algorithm - WAVE in new in Clarity 9.0"/>
<h3>Barcode reader support in sequence table</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Sequence Table - On Enter option defines where the focus moves in the Sequence table after pressing Enter:<ul>
<li>Move Right – default option</li>
<li>Move Down – used for barcode readers emulating keyboard</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Barcode_reader_support_in_sequence_table_in_new_in_Clarity_9_0_e52f5e99c8/DataApex-Barcode-reader-support-in-sequence-table-in-new-in-Clarity-9.0.jpg" alt="DataApex: Barcode reader support in sequence table in new in Clarity 9.0"/>
<h3>Updated SW upgrade policy</h3>
<ul>
<li>New software license comes with free upgrades one-year period
</li>
<li>Major versions – upgrade
<ul>
<li>Change of the version number is before the dot - A.b.c.d</li>
<li>Includes the change of the user code</li>
<li>Are paid (unless the user is entitled to one-year free upgrade)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Minor versions – update
<ul>
<li>Change of the version number is after the first dot - a.B.C.D</li>
<li>Free of charge</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>We sell and provide support only for the latest version of Clarity
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
For more details refer to <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/product/upgrade">Clarity SW upgrade</a>
</blockquote>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Clarity_9_Advanced_Chromatography_Software_1ab81db902/DataApex-Clarity-9-Advanced-Chromatography-Software.jpg" alt="DataApex: Clarity 9 Advanced Chromatography Software"/>
<h3>Other improvements and fixed bugs</h3>
<ul>
<li>Fixed MS Search and NIST libraries result differences caused by sending the wrong spectral range from Clarity to NIST
</li>
<li>Improvements in the behavior of Fraction Collectors
</li>
<li>Better handling of method version to prevent memory exhaustion
</li>
<li>New warning when method size exceeds the limit
</li>
</ul>
… and a lot more
<h3>New control modules</h3>
<ul>
<li>HTA 2000H, 2000HT, 2100H</li>
<li>QuadroCore MCore </li>
<li>Shanghai Sunny Hengping Scientific Instrument GC-MS</li>
</ul>
... and many control modules have been updated and improved, for more see <a href="https://www.dataapex.com/version_history">Changes in version 9.0.0 (25.07.2023)</a>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Shanghai_Sunny_Hengping_Scientific_Instrument_GC_1290_MSQ_8100_456d4423c1/Shanghai-Sunny-Hengping-Scientific-Instrument-GC1290-+-MSQ8100.jpg" alt="DataApex: Shanghai Sunny Hengping Scientific Instrument GC1290 + MSQ8100"/>

DataApex Clarity 9.0 Chromatography Software  Released

<h3>Introduction</h3>
Besides its use in analytical GC, HPLC and CE, the Clarity chromatography software is well suited also for control of preparative chromatography systems. Using the FCGP (General Purpose Fraction Collector) control module, many different fraction collectors could be controlled by the simple Next and Collect/Waste commands generated by the module and transferred to the devices either through the digital Outputs/Inputs or by suitable communication line (RS232, LAN, GSIOC). Not only dedicated fraction collectors, but also multi-position valves could be controlled. The fraction collection parameters (including time windows and signal level or slope triggered collection) are defined within the Clarity FC-GP method setup. 
Two examples of automated systems used for isolation and purification of antibodies, based on common instrumentation and controlled by Clarity chromatography software are presented.
<h3>Automated Immunoaffinity Chromatography</h3>
This instrument setup is designed to isolate specific antibodies from clarified serum. The serum is obtained from an animal immunized with the antigen which we want to generate antibodies against. The media in the column has the same or a similar antigen covalently bound to it, in order to capture antibodies which are specific to that antigen. 
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Fig_1_Diagram_of_the_immunoaffinity_separation_system_2453e733ba/DataApex-Fig.-1-Diagram-of-the-immunoaffinity-separation-system.jpg" alt="DataApex: Fig. 1 – Diagram of the immunoaffinity separation system"/>
The instrument is configured around our existing lab infrastructure (benches, racks, shelves, rods for mounting columns, etc.). A 6 position selector valve allows selection of serum, a wash buffer, an elution buffer, or a column cleaning buffer. The unused positions are plugged so that they can be selected to put the instrument into a standby state which prevents any siphoning of the mobile phases due to gravity. 
The output of the selector valve leads to the pump. Immediately after the pump is a backpressure regulator to ensure proper seating of the check valves and a second one, serving as a pressure relief valve, as the pump does not feature pressure monitoring.
The tubing is then plumbed into a 6 port, 2 position valve, used to allow the direction of flow through the column to be reversed (see plumbing diagram). This allows strongly retained antibodies at the top of the column to be eluted quickly, with minimal exposure to the harsh elution buffer. After flowing through the column, the mobile phase returns to the valve and is directed through pH and UV detectors to a second 6 position selector valve, where the output can be directed to reservoirs for waste, eluted material, or material to be reloaded for further processing. 
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Fig_2_Example_of_the_elution_cycle_in_immunoaffinity_separation_09c29ecf9a/DataApex-Fig.-2-Example-of-the-elution-cycle-in-immunoaffinity-separation.jpg" alt="DataApex: Fig. 2 - Example of the elution cycle in immunoaffinity separation"/>
Currently we have 13 instruments in service that match this general description. Each instrument takes up roughly 50 cm x 50 cm of bench space, making use of shelving above the bench to hold large reservoirs. The “prototype” for this instrument design was assembled primarily from components we had in our lab that were not in use.
The full version of Clarity with the LC module is used on all instruments in order to allow for expansion. Most of the stations already have the maximum number of 4 instruments installed. Serial communication ports for the valves and pumps are provided by a DataApex Multicom device. All valves are mounted on Valco Microelectric Actuators with RS-232 communication. Analog signals from the pH probe and UV absorbance detector are acquired using either an INT9 A/D PCI card, a 4 channel Colibrick device, or a 2 channel UPAD, depending on the instrument. The PCs used are from various manufacturers, or are built to specifications in house.
<h5>Table 1- Immunoafinity System Components</h5>
<h5>No. / Name / Description</h5>
<ol>
<li>Reservoirs / Sample, Wash, Eluent, Column Cleaning</li>
<li>Selection valve / 6 position selector valve, (Valco, C25-6186EMH)</li>
<li>Pump / SSI/LabAlliance Series 1 Pump (Chromtech, P-040), with 40 ml/min heads</li>
<li>Backpressure regulator / 40 psi, to provide backpressure for pump valves</li>
<li>Backpressure regulator / 100 psi, connected by a tee, serving as pressure relief valve</li>
<li>Switching valve / 6 port, 2 position valve (Valco C22-6186EH)</li>
<li>Column / 5 cm diameter x 5 cm length</li>
<li>pH detector / Flow cell (Sensorex, FC45C) with Flat pH electrode (Sensorex, S450CD)</li>
<li>UV detector / UV absorbance detector (Bio-Rad, EM-1)</li>
<li>Selection valve / 6 position selector valve, (Valco, C25-6186EMH)</li>
<li>Reservoirs / Waste, Pure Product, Impure Product for reloading</li>
</ol>
1/8” ID Dupont PFA tubing is used throughout for connections
Multiple isolation cycles are needed to process the starting material quantity. The sequence table is thus used to control the instrument. Separate methods are written for the loading, washing, elution, and cleaning phases of the process. These methods are then repeated in the sequence to create cycles, which can be performed automatically until the desired amount of material has been processed. Sequences can also be run overnight, with the primary limitation being the size of the mobile phase and collection reservoirs. 
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Fig_3_Example_of_sequence_table_for_immunoaffinity_separation_58a994a3fe/DataApex-Fig.-3-Example-of-sequence-table-for-immunoaffinity-separation.jpg" alt="DataApex: Fig. 3 - Example of sequence table for immunoaffinity separation"/>
<h3>Preparative size exclusion chromatography with stacked injections using Clarity</h3>
This instrument setup is designed to facilitate removal of aggregates and other high molecular weight species from antibodies. Generally, the harshness of the elution buffer used in the affinity step leads to some degree of aggregation in the isolated antibodies.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Fig_4_Diagram_of_the_Stacked_Injection_SEC_system_a7622a7986/DataApex-Fig.-4-Diagram-of-the-Stacked-Injection-SEC-system.jpg" alt="DataApex: Fig. 4 - Diagram of the Stacked Injection SEC system"/>
A 6 position selector valve is used to switch between a sample reservoir and a running buffer reservoir. This is connected to a pump, with backpressure regulator configured as a blow-off valve in order to protect the column from excessive pressure in the event of a clog. The outlet of the column is connected to a UV absorbance detector. Fractions are collected using a fraction collector. 
<h5>Table 2 - Size Exclusion System Components</h5>
<h5>No. / Name / Description</h5>
<ol>
<li>Reservoirs / Sample, Eluent, Column Cleaning</li>
<li>Selection valve / 6 position selector valve, (Valco, C25-6186EMH)</li>
<li>Pump / SSI/LabAlliance Series 1 Pump (Chromtech, P-040), with 40 ml/min heads</li>
<li>Backpressure regulator/ 40 psi, to provide backpressure for pump valves</li>
<li>Backpressure regulator / 100 psi, connected by a tee, serving as pressure relief valve</li>
<li>Column / 5 cm x 100 cm (GE, XK-50/100) column packed with Superdex 200 Prep Grade.</li>
<li>UV detector / UV absorbance detector (Bio-Rad, EM-1)</li>
<li>Fraction collector / Isco Foxy 200 fraction collector</li>
</ol>
1/8” ID Dupont PFA tubing is used throughout for connections.
Again, multiple injections are needed to load all the sample to be processed. In order to reduce the time required to process large samples, a stacked injection technique is used. As a run begins, the solvent selection valve loads the first portion of the sample from the sample reservoir then switches back to the running buffer.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Fig_5_Example_of_Stacked_Injection_Method_Event_Table_687cda6e11/DataApex-Fig.-5-Example-of-Stacked-Injection-Method-Event-Table.jpg" alt="DataApex: Fig. 5 - Example of Stacked Injection Method Event Table"/>
After the first portion has migrated some distance down the column, the valve switches to the sample reservoir loading a second portion. After the second portion has migrated down the column a third can be loaded, and so on. If the characteristics of the sample are known, spacing between samples can be reduced significantly versus loading one sample and waiting for it to elute completely. In one example, a single sample takes 165 minutes to elute completely, however 8 samples can be processed in 790 minutes, saving almost 9 hours by using stacked injections. Multi-gram quantities of material can be processed per day using this technique. 
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Fig_6_Example_of_stacked_injection_SEC_separation_019f37638a/DataApex-Fig.-6-Example-of-stacked-injection-SEC-separation.jpg" alt="DataApex: Fig. 6 - Example of stacked injection SEC separation"/>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Data_Apex_Fig_7_Detail_of_stacked_injection_SEC_separation_cycle_bc1be53e3f/DataApex-Fig.-7-Detail-of-stacked-injection-SEC-separation-cycle.jpg" alt="DataApex: Fig. 7 - Detail of stacked injection SEC separation cycle"/>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
We have demonstrated the use of Clarity in purification of antibodies using two specific setups, the automated immunoaffinity chromatography and preparative size exclusion chromatography with stacked injections.
Similar setups can be used with large range of fraction collectors and multi-position valves. The description can also help with setting up systems for other preparative applications.
<h3>Featured Clarity products</h3>
In both applications the same Clarity Chromatography Software system has been used:
<h5>Table 3 - Clarity Software Components (Item - p/n)</h5>
<ul>
<li>Clarity Single Instrument - C50</li>
<li>LC Control Module - A24</li>
<li>AD Converters- e.g. Colibrick 4 ch - U34</li>
<li>Add on instruments (optional – to control more systems from 1 station) - C55</li>
</ul>

Automated SW solution for preparative HPLC

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Since 1991 DataApex develops and manufactures chromatography data stations. DataApex is constantly striving to provide users with efficient and up-to-date tools for chromatography data processing.

Automated SW solution for preparative HPLC

DataApex Clarity 9.0 Chromatography Software Released

Supporting Chromatography Everywhere – Even Mars

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