Automating Low Volume Applications to Save Reagent Costs

The Anachem Flexus Liquid Handler is a highly flexible, modular platform that can be customised with numerous peripherals. This now includes the Innovadyne Nanodrop dispenser increasing the instrument's dynamic volume range from 50nl to 2ml.Together these instruments are perfect for automating many complex applications.

The Nanodrop instrument provides low volume, non-contact liquid handling, which is ideal for reducing assay volumes. It's valve free fluid pathway, provides a robust and low-maintained way to deliver reagents with a high degree of both precision and accuracy without any compromise. Assay miniaturisation is of importance for uHTS in 1536 and 3456 well plates, PCR setup, MALDI target preparation, bead and cell based assays as a means of preserving precious reagents and reducing costs. Protein Crystallography is an application ideally suited to the Flexus/Nanodrop instrument combination, dispensing proteins with minimal waste and without denaturation.

The Flexus is well suited for large volume well solution distribution and the Nanodrop is ideal for setting the protein drops on the stage whilst conserving precious protein samples. To operate in unison, both instruments are controlled via a single software interface. The Nanodrop pipetting stage is positioned underneath an X-rail overhang from the Flexus that has a plate gripper for moving plates on and off the Nanodrop stage as required by the users protocol. The Nanodrop syringe fluidics unit is positioned to the side of the stage or can be placed underneath the units for more efficient use of the workspace. The flexibility achieved by running both units together or individually surpasses all automation expectations, but with pipetting accuracy and precision second to none.