A chromatography system comprising a plurality of chromatography columns (30a-30d); a panel having a top face and an opposing bottom face, a first cavity being formed on the panel so as to pass through the top face, the first cavity being encircled by an inner surface, the panel bounding: an inlet fluid channel having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the inlet fluid channel terminating at an inlet opening formed on the inner surface encircling the first cavity so that the inlet fluid channel communicates with the first cavity; and a plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) terminating at an outlet opening formed on the inner surface encircling the first cavity so that each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) communicate with the first cavity, a first one of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) being in fluid communication with a first one of the plurality of chromatography columns (30a-30d); and a first valve movably disposed within the first cavity, wherein moving the first valve to different positions produces isolated fluid communication between the inlet fluid channel and each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e), the chromatography system being characterized in that the panel comprises a first plate overlying and being secured to a second plate, the inlet fluid channel being at least partially bounded between the first plate and the second plate. a plurality of chromatography columns (30a-30d); a panel having a top face and an opposing bottom face, a first cavity being formed on the panel so as to pass through the top face, the first cavity being encircled by an inner surface, the panel bounding: an inlet fluid channel having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the inlet fluid channel terminating at an inlet opening formed on the inner surface encircling the first cavity so that the inlet fluid channel communicates with the first cavity; and a plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) terminating at an outlet opening formed on the inner surface encircling the first cavity so that each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) communicate with the first cavity, a first one of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) being in fluid communication with a first one of the plurality of chromatography columns (30a-30d); and an inlet fluid channel having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the inlet fluid channel terminating at an inlet opening formed on the inner surface encircling the first cavity so that the inlet fluid channel communicates with the first cavity; and a plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) terminating at an outlet opening formed on the inner surface encircling the first cavity so that each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) communicate with the first cavity, a first one of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e) being in fluid communication with a first one of the plurality of chromatography columns (30a-30d); and a first valve movably disposed within the first cavity, wherein moving the first valve to different positions produces isolated fluid communication between the inlet fluid channel and each of the plurality of first outlet fluid channels (282a-e), the chromatography system being characterized in that the panel comprises a first plate overlying and being secured to a second plate, the inlet fluid channel being at least partially bounded between the first plate and the second plate.