Automated system speeds microarray preparation

Edited by the Laboratorytalk editorial team Aug 22, 2007

Hamilton is now offering an automated system based on the company's Microlab STAR that speeds accurate sample preparation for expression studies

Irrespective of whether a company is using Affymetrix GeneChips, Illumina BeadChips or Agilent Microarrays to make their next discovery they still have to invest a lot in sample preparation for their expression studies, instead of having the time to focus on their results.

The sample preparation procedure is also error-prone, due to the large number of steps involved.

The Microlab STAR has been designed to solve this problem.

Together with the company's partners Nestle Research Center (NRC) and Agendia, Hamilton have developed a complete solution for this kind of sample preparation starting from tissue (as an alternative protocols are available for cells, yeast or bacteria) and ending with labelled cRNA targets ready for hybridisation.

All additional equipment, like Thermocycler and Microplate Reader is fully integrated by an internal robotic hand called iSWAP.

The complete protocol is divided into three methods: Excel worklists with samples to process are created in the beginning of method 1 and can be reused for running later methods.

After total RNA normalization in method 1 and cRNA normalization in method 3, a microtitre plate with small aliquots of the samples is prepared by the system to be used in offline quality analysis (for example on a Bioanalyzer).

Hamilton Robotics STAR system provides the following:.

- Automated hands-free processing starting from tissue samples and ending with labelled cRNA samples ready for hybridisation.

- All master mixes (first- and second-strand cDNA synthesis) are prepared automatically by the robot.

- A compact system due to the complete integration of third party equipment with the built-in robotic plate handler iSWAP.

- Dividing the complete process into three methods results in maximum flexibility regarding sample processing.

- Flexible system allows automation of other applications on the same platform.