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Mendy VanDeusen, Beckman Coulter, Inc. The customer, a researcher in a major Canadian University, presented the Project Management team with a challenge to create walk-away automation for a system that needed to run in unattended mode overnight and on weekends. Specifically, the researcher needed the capability of growing green algae on specially designed light boxes as well as bacterial and yeast cultures for determining the impact of exposure to toxins. The researcher needed to be able to assess any changes in these cultures that occurred from generation to generation due to exposure to various toxins at different concentrations over time. A SAGIAN™ Core System was designed with a Biomek® FX, dual bridge hybrid Multichannel Span-8 liquid handler, contained within a Baker BioPROtect* II hood. Additional devices integrated along the three meter ORCA® rail system included, three custom light boxes for growth of the green algae, a Cytomat* 6001 incubator for growth of the bacterial and yeast cultures, a BMG FLUOstar OPTIMA reader, a stacker carousel for storage of labware, and a six-position Biomek Tip Lift. Labware was moved on and off the FX deck for all liquid handling steps via a Cytomat ALP and ORCA Robot (pick-and-place robotic transport). A schematic of the system is shown below:
The automated methods were designed to inoculate all cultures via liquid handling steps on the FX within the BioPROtect hood. The green algae culture plates would then be placed on the custom light boxes for growth, while the bacterial and yeast cultures were grown in the Cytomat 6001 incubator. Cultures were grown for 24 hours at which point the plates were transferred back to the FX for sub-culturing in a fresh plate and then returned for incubation and growth. The FX was also used to dilute the toxins and add them to the culture plates at the appropriate time. The impact of the toxins was determined using the BMG reader. Method scheduling was managed using the RunSAMI module of SILAS™. This module enabled the researcher to alternate between two different methods at the appropriate designated time to accomplish his overall study in an efficient manner. This automated solution met the unique needs of this academic researcher. Please contact your local Beckman Coulter representative for additional information and availability regarding the appropriate application of SILAS modules for your core system needs. *All trademarks are the property of their respective owners For Research Use Only; not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Additional Information: For comments or questions about T3 Update, please contact David Daniels, Ph.D., editor.
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