Automation
complex automation solutions involving multiple moving parts, and passing of plates between stack- ing and liquid handling hardware, the fixed deck design eliminates the risk of losing costly reagents and invaluable samples while vastly simplifying programming. The system is controlled through the Maestro software package, which masks a powerful software engine behind a simple, easy-to- use graphical interface. User-defined parameters allow the operator to adjust protocols for sample numbers, automatically adjusting tip and reagent usage to eliminate costly waste in unused tips and reagent dead volume (Figure 14).
CyBio (
www.cybio-ag.com) recently launched the new benchtop pipettor CyBi®-FeliX. Serving the need to save bench space and provide built in con- tainment this small flexible laboratory liquid han- dling system offers a multifunctional approach to scalable automation. In spite of the compact 650mm x 450mm (W/D) footprint, it features 12 deck positions arranged in a novel two-level approach and addresses a wide set of applications in the field of proteomics and genomics as well as biological and biochemical methods. The self-con- tained CyBi®-FeliX is designed for routine liquid handling tasks in all SBS footprint labware, such as plate replication, reformatting, hit picking and serial dilution in rows and columns. For CyBi®- FeliX platform there is a selection of hot swap pipetting heads available. In addition to multi- channel 96/384 heads, the new CHOICE™ pipet- ting head allows for single or 8, 12 respectively 16, 24 parallel pipetting. Even more remarkable than the format flexibility, the patent-pending CHOICE™ technology goes beyond the scope of traditional volume ranges and increases them by four orders of magnitude (100nL-1mL) united in one pipetting head. This means the user is able to work within different volume ranges without com- promising the pipetting accuracy and avoiding the need for manual intervention throughout his method. CyBi®-FeliX automatically adapts to the required volumes and formats by simply matching a series of tools and tips. In order to ease daily rou- tines and allow lab staff to focus on more signifi- cant duties, CyBi®-FeliX is complemented by intu- itive and powerful new liquid handling software, enabling complex setups in minutes (Figure 15).
The various Eppendorf (
www.eppendorf.com) epMotion® systems are generic open automation platforms addressing the needs for multiple appli- cations requiring automated liquid handling. The epMotion concept is a fine balance between good
Drug Discovery World Winter 2011/12 Figure 15: CyBio’s new CyBi®-FeliX – compact automated liquid handling system
application and process flexibility on the one hand and ease-of-use and small training efforts on the other hand. For example, sample preparation pro- tocols for multiple vendors can be used on the sys- tem, but leaving the flexibility to modify and tune the protocols according to specific user needs. The epMotion systems provide automated single and multi-channel pipetting of single tubes, racks, 96- or 384-well plates in low to medium throughput range at high precision where manual liquid han- dling is a bottleneck. For more demanding docu- mentation and compliance requirements in the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industry the epMotion systems can be upgraded with the epBlue ID™ add-on software module and/or with the GxP solution. The epBlue ID facilitates simple and safe data exchange with LIMS or ELN systems and barcode sample tracking where origin and des- tination barcodes are recorded and documented. The new epMotion GxP solution was developed according to GAMP 5 and tailored for organisa- tional and process requirements of 21 CFR part
Figure 16: Generic automated pipetting with Eppendorf epMotion® 5075 TMX PC version 33
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