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 DOI: 10.1177/1087057113517980

2014 19: 478J Biomol ScreenLarry Mattheakis

Screening Robotics and Automation  

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Journal of Biomolecular Screening2014, Vol. 19(3) 478 –480© 2013 Society for LaboratoryAutomation and ScreeningDOI: 10.1177/1087057113517980jbx.sagepub.com

Product Focus

AVIA Biosystems

Model 2304 Automated Protein Denaturation System

According to AVIA Biosystems, Model 2304 is the first of its kind to com-pletely automate and integrate protein stability determinations using chemical denaturation. Developed to facilitate the formulation of biologics in a safe and stable form, the system uses intrin-sic or extrinsic fluorescence to monitor the conformational changes associated with protein unfolding (denaturation) and automatically generates complete protein stability curves.

Up to 96 different formulations, process conditions, or individual pro-tein constructs can be evaluated for relative stability and an individual sta-bility curve generated for each. Sample preparation, data collection, data anal-ysis, and stability report generation are all automated. The free energy (ΔG) of protein unfolding is automatically cal-culated for each formulation condition or each individual protein construct.

More: www.aviabiosystems.com

BioTek Instruments

MultiFlo FX Microplate Dispenser

MultiFlo FX offers up to four indepen-dent reagent dispensers and a washer in

one compact and modular platform to simplify and automate microplate-based liquid-handling processes. According to BioTek, it is an efficient solution for 6- to 1536-well plates and incorporates Parallel Dispense technologies, which allows a choice of peristaltic or syringe pump dispensing. This choice of dis-pensing technologies allows reagent conservation and unattended operation down to 500 nL. In addition, a wash module adds multipurpose functionality and uses BioTek’s Dual-Action mani-fold for independent aspirate/dispense control.

MultiFlo FX has a small footprint for use in a biosafety enclosure or in an automated robotic system. To automate sensitive cell-based assays, MultiFlo FX can also be integrated with the new BioStack4 to handle lidded plates.

The fully configured MultiFlo FX replaces up to five liquid handlers, and the modular architecture means that users need to purchase only the modules required now and can upgrade at any time as their assay needs evolve. MultiFlo FX is considered ideal for cell-based assays, bead-based assays, ELISAs, pri-mary and secondary screening, com-pound storage, and more.

More: www.biotek.com

BioStack4 Microplate Stacker

Providing walk-away automation for rou-tine microplate-based processes including

cell-based assays and any application requiring automated plate delidding and relidding, the BioStack 4’s plate carrier provides plate exchange speeds of less than 10 s to increase throughput and enhance productivity.

BioStack 4 is compatible with 24- to 1536-well lidded and low-volume micro-plates up to 22 mm high, and inter-changeable 10-, 30- or 50-plate stacks are available. The small, space-saving foot-print allows operation within a biosafety enclosure. An optional barcode scanner increases workflow efficiency while lim-iting potential user errors.

BioStack 4 is compatible with BioTek’s washing, dispensing, reading, and imaging systems and is directly controlled via the instrument’s inter-face, Liquid Handling Control soft-ware, or Gen5 Data Analysis Software.

More: www.biotek.com

BMG LABTECH

CLARIOstar High-Performance Microplate Reader

The modular CLARIOstar features Advanced LVF Monochromator Technology that allows any fluorescence or luminescence wavelength to be used and continually adjusted and allows

517980 JBXXXX10.1177/1087057113517980Journal of Biomolecular ScreeningProduct Focusresearch-article2013

Screening Robotics and Automation

Compiled by Larry Mattheakis

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Product Focus 479

bandwidths from 8 to 100 nm for excita-tion and for emission, which, according to BMG LABTECH, is unprecedented for conventional monochromators. In addition, sensitive filter technology, an ultra-fast UV/Vis absorbance spec-trometer, and a solid-state laser ensure optimal performance in all other detec-tion modes, including fluorescence (or Förster) resonance energy transfer (FRET), time-resolved fluorescence (TRF), TR-FRET, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), and AlphaScreen/AphaLISA.

More: www.bmglabtech.com

GE Healthcare

Biacore T200 Software v.2.0

This new software expands Biacore T200’s capabilities for efficient pro-cessing of molecular interaction data to facilitate label-free screening of low-molecular-weight compounds and low-abundance proteins, giving detailed binding profiles on molecule-drug can-didate mechanisms of action that ulti-mately assist in earlier lead selection and optimization.

The new software simplifies and speeds up the generation and transforma-tion of raw label-free interaction data into high-quality information, reducing the time needed for screening and hit valida-tion. Wizards guide assay set up, and options are available for designing cus-tom assays. The new software encom-passes algorithms for efficient ranking and qualification of binders versus non-binders and enables comparison of data sets through normalization of sample responses by a number of means.

More: www.gelifesciences.com/BiacoreT200software

Hamilton Robotics

VANTAGE Liquid-Handling Platform

The new-generation VANTAGE system offers contact-free pipetting over a wide volume range of 100 nL to 1 mL. It can be monitored remotely by mobile devices and features Hamilton’s new NanoPulse technology, which provides wide volume ranges from a single channel and a new linear motor that increases pipetting speed while decreasing noise, heat, and vibration. New camera technology enhances traceability by verifying all labware on the system and detecting non-barcoded labware. Upgrades can be made at any time with a Logistics Cabinet. The upgrade kit offers an inno-vative tip and plate-shuttling mechanism from below the pipetting deck and cus-tomizable smart waste containers. A tele-scopic vertical track gripper is available to transport samples from below- or off-deck third-party devices.

According to Hamilton, this flexible, vertically integrated system enables the longest walkaway times for the smallest footprint possible. Its graphical software provides a simple interface to program assays without programming experience and built-in intelligence to optimize workflow and resources.

More: www.hamiltonrobotics.com

VANTAGE Pipetting Platform

This flexible, multipurpose pipetting platform features a completely new

linear motor design and contact-free NanoPulse pipetting technology cover-ing a wide volume range (100 nL–1 mL). This space-efficient liquid handler enables users to prepare samples with precision and traceability, helping to ensure downstream data reliability. According to Hamilton, the VANTAGE’s expandable design caters to user needs, from a low-cost pipettor to the most com-plex integrated system, and is field upgradable to cover the entire usability pyramid.

Labs requiring increased walk-away time, high throughputs, or large capaci-ties can upgrade their bench-top VANTAGE pipettor at any time with a Logistics Cabinet, which offers tip and plate shuttling from below the pipetting deck and customizable, smart waste solu-tions. A telescopic, vertical Track Gripper can also be added to transport samples from below- or off-deck third-party devices such as thermal cyclers, centri-fuges, washers, readers, sealers, peelers, and incubators.

In addition to the hardware, INSTINCT V software brings ease of use to the next level with automation intelligence, making VANTAGE acces-sible to varying user levels. The graphi-cal Assay Editor allows a user to program in a “lab person’s language,” whereas the XSL Editor can be used for more com-plex programming tasks. INSTINCT V’s resource-optimized, dynamic Scheduler allows users to run the same or different assays in parallel on an instrument while other users connect remotely to write methods for new assays. INSTINCT V also provides remote system monitoring via smartphones, tablets, or any web-enabled device.

More: www.hamiltonrobotics.com/hamilton-robotics/vantage

INTEGRA Biosciences

Reagent Reservoirs for 96- and 384-Well Pipetting Systems

Adopting a standard ANSI/SLAS foot-print, the extended range of INTEGRA’s

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480 Journal of Biomolecular Screening 19(3)

reagent reservoirs (100 mL and 300 mL) for 96-well and 384-well multi-channel pipetting systems is fully com-patible with all liquid-handling systems including INTEGRA’s VIAFLO 96 and VIAFLO 384 Handheld Multichannel Electronic Pipettes. Individual pyrami-dal indentations (96 or 384) in each reagent reservoir allow maximum liq-uid recovery. VIAFLO multichannel reagent reservoirs reuse the reservoir base and dispose of the reservoir inserts. These reagent reservoirs are also designed to nest within one another without sticking and come in compact, space-saving packages.

More: www.integra-biosciences.com/ sites/us/reagent_reservoirs.html

SAW Instruments

sam X Platform

Based on SAW’s Surface Acoustic Wave technology, the sam X Platform’s

biosensors measure changes in mass and viscoelasticity at the chip surface based on changes in the high-frequency acoustic oscillations running across the chip surface. This innovative approach is complementary to other biophysical techniques, such as surface plasmon resonance and quartz crystal microbal-ance for measuring protein interactions and can also be used for samples and applications that can be difficult to ana-lyze by other methods.

The sam X platform is considered to be ideally suited for the study of native membrane proteins and protein com-plexes such as the 7TM G-protein cou-pled receptors, either as membrane fragments or within liposome or vesi-cle particles.

Separate conformational data from the sam X platform (i.e., measuring the change in the acoustic wave amplitude) when using small-molecule candidates against protein targets or vesicles can provide information on compounds whose binding induces structural changes in their targets.

The eight channels of the dual-chip sam X system provide more sensors for a higher throughput and provide flexi-ble fluidic channel routing that allows different samples or reagents to be delivered to discrete channels or com-binations of channels on the chip. Different proteins can also be immobi-lized at separate sensor positions while the chip is online, enabling loading of the surface to full capacity and allow-ing for a degree of quantification that

can improve data quality and assists interpretation.

More: www.saw-instruments.com

Thermo Fisher Scientific

iAutomate Software

This self-serve, free-to-use, online automation system configuration tool is designed to reduce the time associ-ated with configuring and trialing an automation setup. Users can build their own system to meet individual applica-tion or process requirements or modify an existing system around the Thermo Scientific Orbitor RS plate mover. This allows for lab- or office-based access for automation optimization and effi-cient online estimating.

More: www.thermoscientific.com/iautomatevideo

About the JBS Product Focus Column

E-mail news releases for consideration to nhallock@slas.org. MSWord documents and 300+ dpi image files are preferred. Deadlines are at least two months prior to publication. JBS editors reserve the right to select the products they deem most appropriate for the section and may revise copy as necessary. Product descriptions are based on information provided by the manufacturer. Inclusion in this section in no way implies endorsement by the Journal of Biomolecular Screening or the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.

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