Velocity11 has released a technical note describing an automated PCR workstation based on a combination of its liquid and plate handling equipment.
The PCR workstation in the technical note consists of Velocity11's Bravo liquid handler, the Benchcel plate handling system, the Plateloc thermal microplate sealer and a bulk reagent dispenser.
The note details how the automated workstation provides an efficient solution for processing plates in batches or one at a time through the necessary stages of PCR plate preparation.
Using the described protocol up to 50 diluted replicate plates with master mix and exon additions can be run without user intervention.
The typical throughput for the described set-up was found to be about five hours for 50 plates, depending on exact protocol and liquid handling steps.
Up to two additional Benchcel systems can be integrated to the Bravo liquid handler to further increase capacity.
The on-deck accessories for the Bravo liquid handler were shown to provide the temperature control and sonicating wash to decontaminate tips that are necessary capabilities for working with DNA and other sensitive materials.
Velocity11's Vworks automation control software was used to provide a single user interface to control all critical task parameters.
