World's first commercial automated mammalian cell colony picker is designed to automatically image, identify and select hybridoma cell colonies from either semi-solid media or monolayers
Drawing upon the experience of installing over 300 instruments for picking and placing in leading scientific institutions, Genetix has announced the launch of the ClonePix - the world's first commercial automated mammalian cell colony picker.
The ClonePix system is designed to automatically image, identify and select hybridoma cell colonies from either semi-solid media or monolayers growing on cell culture dishes and deposit them into microplates for sub-culture.
Automation of monoclonal antibody cell picking by the ClonePix gives unparalleled throughput of clones for analysis and reproducibility of clone isolation.
Monoclonal antibody production is an increasingly important area for biotechnology companies.
Around 25% of biopharmaceutical drugs currently in phase II trials are based upon monoclonal antibodies.
In order to make a monoclonal antibody, thousands of antibody-producing clones have to be screened, a process that until now has been carried out manually, examining culture dishes by eye and picking out individual cell colonies using a pipette.
ClonePix will enable a lab to screen over 5000 colonies per week compared to up to 1000 using traditional methods.
The ClonePix may also be used to automate the selection of transfected cells, and cell lines for pharmaceutical screening.
The ClonePix has a fully enclosed working environment with Hepa filtration and positive pressure to minimise external contamination.
A built-in UV lamp can be used to sterilise the working area before and after use, minimising the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of contamination of clones.
In addition to improved productivity and selection of monoclonal antibodies the ClonePix also provides sophisticated data tracking to improve the accuracy of clone management and development.
