One instrument precisely dispenses both precipitant/mother liquors and protein in volumes ranging from 100 nanolitres to 100 microlitres, enabling walk-away automation.
Genomic Solutions, a supplier of Cartesian liquid handling technology, launches the Honeybee 961 for miniaturisation of protein crystallisation experiments using the sitting drop technique.
This new instrument enables walk-away automation, with precise dispensing into both reservoirs (100 microlitres) as well as shelves (as low as 100 nanolitres) using a single system.
The researcher is able to conserve precious protein sample by working with nanolitre volumes while maximising chances of crystal growth.
The system integrates 96-channel high speed dispensing of precipitant with proven and patented non-contact Synquad nanolitre dispensing technology to prepare a crystallisation plate in less than 20 seconds.
This design approach avoids cross-contamination without the cost and random errors inherent in systems requiring disposable tips.
New software allows the user to easily set up multiple sitting drop crystallisation experiments with click-and-play functionality.
A library of definitions for most commercially available plate formats is included in the software, allowing simple set up of screens into the user's choice of plates.
The Honeybee 961 is part of a family of Honeybee instruments utilising Synquad technology optimised for protein crystallisation.
While traditional protein crystallisation experiments use only one protein solution and a single precipitant, the liquid handling flexibility of the Honeybee's Synquad technology enables the researcher to also run more complex entities such as co-crystallised proteins, co-factors and inhibitors.
