Custom designed pure water system used in ambitious programme at Allen Institute for Brain Science to create an atlas of brain/gene expression
The Allen Institute for Brain Science (AIBS) is approximately halfway through completing the Allen Brain Atlas, a neurogenomics atlas of the mouse brain with cellular resolution.
Since nearly 90% of the mouse genome is similar to the human genome, scientists at AIBS anticipate that their work on the mouse brain will advance research into human brain functions, behaviours and diseases.
Using gene specific antisense, AIBS utilises a technique called in situ hybridisation to selectively map genes to brain cells expressing the gene, and provides the anatomical brain labelled image of these results to the community via its website.
Challenged to complete a decade of research in an aggressive three-year plan, AIBS heavily relies on automation and high through-put technologies.
In addition to automating the science, AIBS was looking for a reliable water system to meet its ultrapure (Type I) requirements in a cost-effective manner.
Millipore custom-designed a loop system, which supplies pre-treated water (Type II) to an ultrapure water system that feeds multiple liquid handling robots on demand.
The design not only provides a reliable solution but also minimises the risks associated with contamination.
According to Paul Wohnoutka, associate director of engineering and production support for the Allen Institute for Brain Science, "We chose Millipore's Elix and Milli-Q synthesis systems as an easy way to ensure water quality at the point where it's needed.
"Furthermore, Millipore clearly demonstrated that its system included the redundancy and fail-safe measures we required.
"To date, we have not experienced a run failure due to the water system, which could cost thousands of dollars and many hours of lost time.
"In the midst of building construction, Millipore responded by ensuring we had a water system installed and operational on schedule".
Millipore's Elix 20 system combines pretreatment, reverse osmosis (RO) and patented electrodeionisation purification technologies in a compact design for consistent pure water quality.
Analytical-grade water produced by the Elix system meets the specifications for Type II water defined by CAP, ISO 3696/ BS3997 and NCCLS and ASTM.
Milli-Q synthesis systems combine ultraviolet (UV) photo-oxidation and ultrafiltration (UF) technologies in one unit to provide pyrogen- and RNase-free ultrapure water.
