Standardised, lower cost version of automated HTS system will suit early AdmeTox, assay development, and lead optimisation departments which can't justify a bespoke system
RTS Life Science's stand at SBS 2005 in Geneva will introduce its new Assay Platform 10 system and highlight an operational Smartstore.
The company says Smartstore is set to revolutionise sample storage and retrieval for collections that, until now, have been considered too small to justify the deployment of an automated storage solution.
It can also act as a distributed compound storage facility or as a satellite store directly linked to reformatting or high throughput screening.
Visitors to the stand will be able to gain first hand experience of the system as it handles multiple labware formats.
Mike Pollard, Smartstore product manager, commented: "Smartstore utilises industrially proven robotic systems to deliver reliable performance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"The ability of Smartstore to handle plates, tubes and vials in a single unit is a great draw to our customers.
"Not only does this unique feature give flexibility for the storage of diverse collections, it reassures customers that their system can be reconfigured in the future, should business needs change".
Smartstore's patented storage tray arrangement allows it to accommodate 360,000 0.7ml microtubes, 5000 shallow well plates or 46,000 single dram vials in a small footprint.
Environmental control systems enable storage at temperatures between -20C and +20C, while also ensuring that the interior remains dry and, if required, oxygen free.
Smartstore, which utilises RTS's d-Sprint control software and SIS database, also features a touch screen user interface.
This allows Smartstore to respond directly to operator requests in addition to orders from the customer ordering system.
Assay Platform 10 is a standardised, lower cost version of RTS's market leading automated HTS system.
Karen Allison, product manager for the assay platform family of products, explained: "We drew heavily on the philosophy behind Smartstore for Assay Platform 10.
"Our customer feedback has shown that large bespoke systems are not always the answer.
"Early AdmeTox, assay development, and lead optimisation departments in particular, can't really justify either the time to commission a bespoke system, or the expenditure required to buy one, yet manual assays have been their only alternative".
Like its bespoke counterpart, the Assay Platform 10 will feature three distinct functions: storage and incubation, liquid handling and plate reading.
It derives its name from the ten instruments that share these tasks.
Unlike its bigger sibling, no clients' staff will be required during the design and commissioning process and the installation will take just a few days.
The lead times for the new Assay Platform 10 will be significantly shorter than those for a typical Assay Platform system.
RTS specialises in providing software, automation systems and equipment for a range of sophisticated manufacturing and scientific processes, including nuclear engineering, life sciences and industrial automation.
Deploying unique technologies to meet client specific requirements, RTS says it utilises state-of-the-art technology and know-how alongside proven engineering practices to provide the optimum automated solution.
Extensive industrial and scientific experience exists throughout the group and the Company operates globally, with facilities throughout the UK and the USA.
