System automates the complete workflow, plating out up to 96 transformation mixes and spreading cells to form single colonies, and acquiring images of the clones derived
Genetix has launched QPExpression, a new system for DNA manipulation that integrates its automated colony picking with liquid handling.
The system supports the multi-day workflow of plasmid transformations, bacterial streaking, colony imaging, picking, tracking and management.
QPExpression automates the complete workflow, plating out up to 96 transformation mixes and spreading cells to form single colonies.
Following overnight incubation, QPExpression automatically acquires images of the clones derived from each transformation reaction.
Using the regional picking software, a user-defined number of colonies from each construct is then picked.
Colonies are then dispensed into multiwell plates for QC, sequence verification, protein production or curation.
For groups involved with protein supply, expression or structural biology, the use of ligation-independent cloning technologies has become routine practice.
However, there is considerable risk of error in these processes because of the need to handle serial reaction steps, multiple clones and Petri dishes.
QPExpression mitigates the risk through an integrated system comprising a colony picking instrument that features simple on-board liquid handling and imaging together with the ability to pick and track colonies from 96 separate transformations.
Ian Taylor, business manager for Genetix, said: "We are very excited to further evolve our core expertise in imaging, high precision picking and data tracking.
"With our new system we can now automate plating out and spreading of the bacteria.
"We have already sold and commissioned the first system to a major US pharmaceutical company."
