ANALYTICAL & LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
T
he Genome Diagnostics Laboratory (AGDx) is centred at the VU Medical Centre in Amsterdam, the largest
University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. Bringing together a network of medical specialists in cardiology, paediatrics, oncology, neurology, endocrinology, haematology and ophthalmology, AGDx is designated as the European reference centre for genetic testing of familial hypercholesterolemia, imprinting disorders and cardiogenetics. Publishing over 50 research paper a year, lab specialists at the AGDx work at the leading edge of genome diagnostics. T e laboratory is licensed by the Royal Dutch Government to perform clinical genetic tests. Senior chief analyst in the AGDx
laboratory, Dr Marja van Stralen says: “A few years ago, with stored DNA samples rising exponentially, the situation had arisen that we could no longer fi nd the right samples so easily. As a result, our laboratory switched from the classic microcentrifuge tubes to 2D barcoded tubes in SBS format 96 position racks for storage of all DNA samples to enable us to effi ciently manage our DNA biobank.” Van Stralen explains that, “In recent
years, specialised knowledge has been increasingly required to perform DNA diagnostics and there are more and more diseases in which DNA diagnostics can
The Mohawk is a proven semi- automated tube picker
SUCCESS STORY LAB AUTOMATION
A leading Dutch genome diagnostics lab is using a semi-automated tube picker to retrieve DNA samples accurately and rapidly from its extensive biobank
support the correct diagnosis with current techniques. As a result, the number of requests to our lab grows every year. So it is vital that we can quickly and accurately pick specifi c DNA samples enabling us to use the right tests with our various diagnostic techniques. Effi cient picking of samples is especially important in larger studies that require a lot of biobank DNA materials to be found quickly.” Van Stralen says that the since the arrival
of the Mohawk semi-automated tube picker, just over a year ago, “We have been able to accurately pick and process more DNA samples in an effi cient manner. As a result of this successful implementation, and the great support received from Ziath, our lab is in the process of acquiring a second Mohawk.”
Dr Marja van Stralen in the AGDx lab 14
www.scientistlive.com
FAST, EFFICIENT SOLUTION T e Mohawk semi-automated tube picker employs a linear rack reader and 96 pins that allow a frozen or thawed sample tube to be raised when a rack is scanned according to a picklist. T is innovative technology avoids the need for slow, expensive robotics that can take minutes to process racks. With Mohawk, a rack is scanned, tubes are selected and picked
The Mohawk tube picker in use
in seconds. T e system needs no set up or calibration. Control is achieved via through software that provides an intuitive interface for fast and eff ortless operation. Tubes are picked from a single rack, or a picklist can be set up to select tubes across multiple racks. Pick list operations are normally started from reading the 1D code on a rack placed onto the system, but manual selection is also possible. For extra sample tracking and security,
the Mohawk can be connected directly to a 2D barcode scanner for tube confi rmation. It can also generate picklists directly from the tube barcodes. And a 1D scanner for reading the rack barcode is included.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
