Workstation is a highly flexible, scalable platform that can be configured for semi or complete automation of protein crystallography methods
Tecan (UK) has announced a data sheet describing a new protein crystallography workstation that automates the traditionally cumbersome tasks involved with preparing protein crystals.
Tecan now offers high throughput solutions for protein crystallisation applications.
Based upon the proven Genesis series of liquid handlers, the Protein Crystallography Workstation is a highly flexible, scalable platform that can be configured for semi or complete automation of protein crystallography methods.
The new productive workstations provide automation of tasks including creation of custom buffer matrices; transfer of protein, buffer, detergents and other additives from tubes, vials, or microplates to any type of crystallography plate and set up of protein crystallisation experiments using sitting drop, hanging drop, microbatch under oil, and free-interface methods.
The Protein Crystallography workstation uses a flexible eight-tip liquid handling arm with independent control of individual pipetting tips to provide access to both single vials and multiple adjacent vessels.
Offering a wide dynamic pipetting range (500nl to 200µl or 1.0µl to 1000µl) the workstation also offers superior positional accuracy enabling precise drop placement in any crystallisation plate ensuring that the protein and buffer align properly for optimum crystal growth.
To avoid degradation during processing the workstation provides cooled carriers for the buffers, protein and plate locations.
Creation of any crystallisation protocol and system control is provided by flexible Gemini software, a simple drag and drop user interface that has become a standard in the industry for liquid handling software.
The Protein Crystallography Workstation may be configured or upgraded with a series of modules including a 96-channel head for high plate processing speed, a scanner barcode reader, anti-vibration incubators, imaging interface, automated adhesive plate sealing and a flexible robot arm to move plates between modules and consumables on and off the work surface.
