The Hidden Bottleneck in EV Research
For scientists working with extracellular vesicles (EVs), the promise of discovery is often slowed by the realities of the bench. EV isolation, especially via size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), is a widely used and trusted method, but it comes with challenging compromises: manual labor, inconsistent drip rates, and subtle variations between columns that can compromise reproducibility. Even small deviations in fraction collection can lead to data variability, complicating downstream characterization and functional studies.
It’s a problem researchers know all too well — hours spent at the bench, carefully monitoring columns, adding buffer, and collecting fractions by hand. Everest Biolabs recognized these pain points from firsthand experience in EV research and asked: What if we could remove the bottlenecks without sacrificing precision?
From Challenge to Innovation
Inspired by postdoctoral research in EVs, Everest Biolabs designed a solution to meet the dual demands of high-throughput studies and reproducible isolation. The result is Ascent, an automated, benchtop-friendly platform that redefines how scientists work with EVs.
As Dima Ter-Ovanesyan, co-founder at Everest, explains: “The Ascent automates SEC and can run up to 8 samples in parallel. This not only saves time, but is particularly important for reproducibly comparing different samples.”
Introducing the Ascent Platform
At its core, Ascent is an automated fraction collector for SEC-based EV isolation, capable of running 1 to 8 columns in parallel and collecting up to 12 fractions per column. It works with Everest’s Apex columns as well as third-party SEC columns like qEV™, offering flexibility for diverse applications.
The platform is designed to fit smoothly into a lab workflow. Columns are pre-washed automatically, and once you manually add your samples, the instrument handles fraction collection with full reproducibility and precision. The result: high-throughput EV isolation without compromising quality.
Precision You Can Rely On
What sets Ascent apart is its attention to detail. High-precision pumps and optical drop detection ensure accurate fraction collection. Calibration is based on dispensing, not weight, making it robust against vibrations and other lab equipment. The system waits for the final drop, monitors flow, and adjusts automatically, so there’s no guesswork.
The Column Saver feature adds another layer of reliability. If you step away from the instrument, it keeps columns hydrated, preventing resin from drying out and protecting the integrity of your precious samples.
“Our new products remove bottlenecks in EV isolation and analytics by providing scientists with precise, scalable, and reliable tools.”, emphasizes George Daaboul, CEO of Everest Biolabs.”
Programmable Flexibility for Every Experiment
Every EV sample is unique, and Ascent respects that. Researchers can program discard volumes, fraction volumes, and collection sequences to optimize recovery for their sample type and downstream application. Whether running a single column or eight simultaneously, the workflow is fully customizable without adding complexity.
This flexibility means you can:
- Adjust collection for different column types.
- Run one column or eight without affecting throughput.
- Tailor fraction volume for plasma, serum, urine, or cell culture supernatants.
Ascent transforms what was once a rigid, labor-intensive process into a workflow that adapts to your science, not the other way around.
Throughput That Matches Your Ambitions
High-throughput doesn’t just mean faster; it means scaling research in a reproducible way. With Ascent, running eight columns takes roughly the same time as running one — approximately an hour for a complete wash and fraction collection cycle.
Case in Point: Clinical-Scale Studies
Clinical studies often involve dozens of patient samples per day. With traditional manual SEC, processing these samples can take weeks. Ascent’s high-throughput design reduces that time to hours or days.
Imagine eight samples per run, each producing 12 fractions automatically — that’s 96 fractions in a single session, ready for downstream EV analysis. This speed and reliability accelerate biomarker discovery and translational research, turning weeks of manual work into days of automated productivity.
→ Discover how Ascent can streamline your EV workflow — contact our team for a demo.
Built for Real-World Labs
The Ascent platform is designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday lab life:
- Compact benchtop design: 397 x 364 x 331 mm, 13.6 kg; fits standard lab benches.
- Connectivity: USB-C for software updates.
- Chemical compatibility: PBS, DI water, 70% ethanol, dilute bleach.
- Robust workflow: safety checks prevent mishaps; the system monitors column placement, priming, and sample readiness.
Whether your lab runs small pilot studies or multi-sample clinical experiments, Ascent is a dependable companion: robust, automated, and easy to maintain.
Why Reproducibility Matters
In EV research, reproducibility isn’t optional — it’s the foundation for reliable science. Variability between fractions or columns can compromise results, delaying discoveries and complicating clinical translation.
By combining automation, precision fraction collection, and flexible programming, Ascent ensures that every fraction, every column, every sample is handled consistently. The result is confidence in your data, and more time to focus on biological meaning, not manual labor.
“By simplifying and automating complex workflows, we’re accelerating discoveries that ultimately translate into impactful clinical applications,” says George Daaboul.
The Result: Effortless, Scalable EV Isolation
With Ascent, EV isolation is no longer a bottleneck. Researchers can:
- Save time with parallel processing.
- Achieve reproducible, accurate fraction collection.
- Minimize hands-on intervention.
- Scale from discovery to clinical-level throughput.
From a single bench to clinical studies, Ascent enables workflow optimization without compromise, allowing scientists to focus on advancing their research.
→ Ready to automate your EV workflow? Request a demo of the Ascent Platform today.
