From: "Napolitano, Christopher" Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 08:15:01 -0400 The way in which the more recent models of Tecans and Packard (in addition to most other commercial producers of liquid handlers) sense the surface of the liquid is through conductance. It measures a difference between the conductance of air and the liquid that you are trying to sense. If the difference meets a certain threshold then the liquid will be sensed. Hope that helps. > ---------- > From: John Brohan[SMTP:jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net] > Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 5:47 PM > To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org > Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing > > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > Hello > I am interested in detecting when a robotic probe touches the surface of > a liquid in a vial. Many robots have this facility built in, but I would > like to be able to sense from time to time if the pipette tip is in the > liquid. I do not know what physical property is measured to do this > surface sensing. > > I have an elderly Tecan 505 robot and I want to add some new abilities > to its rather fixed programming capabilities. > > Yours Sincerely > -- > John Brohan National Instruments Alliance member in Montreal > Traders Micro "We connect all sorts of things to computers" > 317 Barberry Place DDO Montreal PQ Canada H9G 1V3 Tel (514)995-3749 > jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net http://g41-92.citenet.net/users/ctmx3460/ From: Peter Kieselbach Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: 96-well plates: lid handling Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 08:20:34 -0400 David wrote: >I've never understood why this type of grip is used. Such point contact >is *never* used in production. Imagine handling 15 items a minute which >is what we're used to at the sharp end of production handling. Such a >gripper would never cope. I think the point (excuse the pun) is that many people in lab automation got there without the benefit of any production engineering exposure. If you compare the robustness of most lab systems to production (or process) counterparts, the differences are quite dramatic. On the other hand, those robust production machines take up quite a bit of space, which works okay if your floor is cheap; labs have a pretty high per foot cost! I think the trick is to use the lessons learned in production (controlling repeatability, compliance and wear) in designing lab-scaled equipment. This often gets compromised to serve time and budgetary pressures. Pete __________________________________________________________ The software said Windows95 or better, so I got a Mac.... __________________________________________________________ Peter Kieselbach Pharmacopeia, Inc CN5350 Princeton, NJ 08543 (609) 452-3788 (phone) (732) 422-0156 (fax) petek@SPAMFOIL.pharmacop.com From: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org (Lab-Robotics Discussion) Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Posting Etiquette Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 15:05:40 -0500 Just a word to our vendor members of Lab-Robotics Discussion: Our vision here at LRIG for this mailing list is that it will become a dynamic forum for users and vendors to freely exchange ideas and solve problems regarding laboratory automation. We want to be sure that the demeanor of the mailing list reflects the desires of the subscribers. The majority of the subscribers have indicated that they do not want to receive unsolicited sales or promotional messages in this forum. To this end, we request that when a subscriber asks a question about specific equipment or functionality, your reply remain in the same vein of specificity and not merely become an opportunity to advertise your company. If someone asks about a certain functionality, please do not reply with a "we can do anything, call me". In this case you could reply with examples of work you have done. If someone brings up an issue with a manufacturer's equipment, please don't reply with "well mine is better because...". Use your judgement on the appropriateness of your response. We do not want to get into the censorship business. If you have new product related information to disseminate, it may be posted on our Announcement Board at: https://www.lab-robotics.org/announce.htm Links to your company showing your products and services may be displayed at: https://www.lab-robotics.org/vendors1.htm This is a periodic message and not targeted at any particular posts. Andy Zaayenga Moderator, The Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List mailto:andy.zaayenga@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org web site: https://www.lab-robotics.org From: "Werner Haelg, T-AG" Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Quality Control for a TECAN Genesis Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 15:44:57 +0200 Hi Tom, to point 1: Accuracy and CV we measure by the gravimetric method. We use the Setup&Service program which is delivered with the instrument. An interface to a balance is built in. But be careful concerning the settings of the balance, the weighing method and your pipetting parameters! to point two: in fact you perform three pipetting steps. If the volumina are 25 痞 and the reader itself might have a CV of 1 %, so after three pipettings with a reader the CV of 7-8% over all 8 Channels is a good value. to point three: there are two different effects. As you suppose there is a dilution effect of the system liquid. When you aspirate 2400 痞 you aspirate it ca. 1.5 m into the tubing. Therefore it is a sufficient amount of water on the tubing wall. There are two ways to prevent dilution: in addition to the air gap use an appropriate excess volume or use a partition volume. After the aspiration of the 2400 痞 just 100 痞 remains for the air gaps the conditioning and the excess volume! The tryptane blue is a quite large flat molecule for that reason it can stick on non polar surfaces like Teflon. But I think it's primarily a system dilution problem and just secondary a problem of the dye. I hope its helpful for you Werner _________________________________________________________ Dr. Werner J. Haelg TECAN AG Research & Development Tel: 011 41 55 254 82 34 Feldbachstrasse 80 Fax: 011 41 55 254 82 57 8634 Hombrechtikon werner.haelg@SPAMFOIL.tecan.ch SWITZERLAND http:\\www.tecan.com -----Original Message----- From: Tom McCloud [mailto:tom@SPAMFOIL.NPSG.ncifcrf.gov] Sent: Donnerstag, 23. September 1999 17:49 To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Quality Control for a TECAN Genesis --------------------- Lab-Robotics Discussion --------------------- We are preparing 96 well microtiter plates in support of a screening group with a TECAN Genesis RSP 150. A QC- type person at the facility has asked us to put together some data to verify the accuracy of the delivery. So my first question is: How have others addressed this sort of a request? (lit references would be useful!) What experimental data have you gathered? What is the precision others expect of such an instrument, and for a screening effort? Second: We prepared a solution of trypan blue and ran the TECAN through it's normal plate preparation routine. For this purpose we are using the permanent teflon coated stainless steel tips, and teflon tubing, and the 2.5ml syringe pumps. The normal plate preparation routine is somewhat complex, going through 2 dilution steps. The final delivery into test plates is 25ul. The plates were read at 570nm. The CV is in the 7-8% range. Is this a typical/acceptable range for others in industry doing similar work? Third: We are puzzled by an apparent trend of decreasing concentration on repetitive dispenses from the same tip. For example, when the TECAN is programmed to draw up 2400 ul of the dye solution, then dispenses 100 ul 24 sequential times, and the plate is read, this is want the data looks like: 1325,1278,1269,1321,1261,1251,1235,1223,1215,1177,1184,1125, 1099,1087,1070,1074,1103,1109,1066,1031,1004,1003,999,981 Overall there seems to be a trend of decreasing OD. We do not believe there is a change in the volume being delivered. There appears to be no mixing across the air gap. The system solvent is water, and the dye is dissolved in water. Could there be a sufficient volume of water retained on the walls of the teflon tubing to dilute out the dye solution as it moves up the tubing? Has anyone observed a similar effect and if so, what can be done to minimize it? Thanks for the comments. Tom McCloud Natural Products Support Group SAIC Frederick Cancer Research From: Laboratory Robotics Interest Group Subject: Laboratory Robotics Interest Group Mid Atlantic October Meeting Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 19:14:04 -0400 FYI, all. The next LRIG Mid Atlantic meeting is this Thursday. Hope to see you there! ************************************** The Laboratory Robotics Interest Group Mid Atlantic Chapter October 1999 Meeting High Throughput Screening: Special Topics Date: Thursday, October 7, 1999 Place: Forsgate Country Club, Forsgate Drive, Jamesburg, NJ 08831 Phone: (732)521-0070 Itinerary: Social Period - 3:30 - 6:00 PM Presentations - 6:15 to 8:30 PM Member Pre-Registration: Requested, not required. Pre-registering will allow us to more accurately gauge seating requirements and refreshment needs. Indicate names of attendees and company affiliation. Pre-register by email with or by phone at (732)302-1038. In order to speed sign-in at the meeting, please bring a business card to drop into the registration box. There will be a business card drawing for one of our beautiful LRIG rosewood pens. ************************************************************* Agenda: The theme of the evening is High-Throughput Screening: Special Topics. After the extended social period from 3:30 to 6:00, the talks will commence leading off with Dr. Sheri Miraglia talking about an exciting new development in scanning laser imaging for high-throughput screening applications. Secondly, we will hear Dr. Susan Bassett talk about the problems of interpreting the voluminous data that we get from HTS and some possible software solutions addressing this problem. Finally, Dr. Dale Christensen will talk about a novel approach in finding small molecules that interact with receptors for which ligands are not necessarily known. Taken together these speakers, who are coming far and wide from California, New Mexico, and North Carolina, will ensure a stimulating evening. As always, there is no registration fee or dues, and food and refreshments will be served throughout the social period. Registration is encouraged for us to accurately gauge the size of the meeting. There are hotels nearby for attendees who wish to stay overnight. There will be a Job posting board at the social. Please encourage your recruiters to give you material to post and distribute. Openings may also be posted at https://www.lab-robotics.org/careers.htm Members interested in presenting a scientific poster are encouraged to do so. Please contact us to arrange for poster space. There is no fee to attend the meeting. ************************************************************* Presentation: High-Throughput Screening Applications of a Novel Scanning Laser Imaging Technology Sheri Miraglia, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, PE Biosystems The increasing number of compounds available for screening in drug development has driven the requirement for higher throughput screening technologies, as well as unique technologies that address a broader application portfolio. Our laboratory has been involved in the development of multiplexed mix-and-read assays using Fluorometric Microvolume Assay Technology (FMAT). FMAT is a fluorescence based assay system that incorporates a laser scanner and optical detection system that provides a direct measurement of cellular or bead-based fluorescence on a well-to-well and on an individual cell/bead basis. This design is ideal for the homogenous identification of hits in primary screening, as well as for lead optimization in the form of IC50 determinations, and for assessment of lead compound cytotoxicity. Fluorescent beads of various sizes can be distinguished from one another, allowing the multiplexing of two or more targets present on different sized beads in the same well. In addition, the digitized image data is compiled from two PMTs permitting the development of multiplexed assays based on dye color. A variety of different mix and read applications for FMAT will be described, including peptide-receptor ligand interactions, and multiplexed bead based immunocapture assays. The results of a novel high-throughput screen performed in collaboration with a major Pharma oncology group will also be discussed. Employing a simple mix-and-read Annexin V binding assay, a variety of purified natural products were identified that are potent inducers of apoptosis in tumor cells. Taken together, the data to be presented will demonstrate the versatility and feasibility of fluorescence-based homogeneous and multiplexed assays for a variety of cell-based and molecular targeted screens used in drug discovery. ************************************************************* Presentation: Harnessing the Power of Computational Intelligence to Identify Leads in HTS Susan I. Bassett, Ph.D., Executive Vice-President, Global Technology Operations, Bioreason, Inc. With high-throughput screening systems in place and beginning to produce data reliably, the data analysis and interpretation becomes a bottleneck in the process of moving more high-quality leads to the clinic. The decision-making processes that go into lead discovery, evaluation, and development are quite complex, and can benefit from judicious use of appropriate computational intelligence techniques. Knowledge-based reasoning systems that capture the decision process of a pharmaceutical chemist during lead identification and development and aid in decision support will be presented in this talk. Bioreason's HTS data interpretation systems are an example of an automated solution aimed at helping identify top quality lead candidates while minimizing costly mistakes. The fundamental aspects of technology for combining computational intelligence techniques with knowledge discovery from data mining to this end will be presented. ************************************************************* Presentation: Molecular Braille: A Novel Technology for Identification and Characterization of Compounds that Modulate Receptor Function Dale J. Christensen, PhD., Senior Scientist Novalon Pharmaceutical Corp., 4222 Emperor Blvd., Suite 560 Durham, NC 27703-8466, Ph 919-474-8888 x34, Fax 919-474-0103, dchristensen@SPAMFOIL.novalon.com Many receptor proteins in cellular signaling pathways undergo significant conformational changes in response to a signal molecule. Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-dependent transcription factors. Ligand binding to these receptors results in conformational changes that expose binding sites for coactivator or corepresser proteins. The estrogen and androgen receptor are well validated drug targets that have a significant clinical utility while orphan nuclear receptors such as PPAR are beginning to play an important role in modern drug discovery. Molecular Braille has been developed to identify and characterize compounds that modulate the conformation of these receptors. Using a series of conformation-sensitive probes, the conformation that the receptor adopts in response to ligand binding can be evaluated using an in vitro time-resolved fluorescence assay and an in vivo luminescence assay. This technology can be used to identify new ligands, distinguish between classes of ligands, and guide lead optimization. ************************************************************* For more information, contact one of the LRIG Mid Atlantic officers: Dennis S. France Executive Chair, LRIG Home and Mid Atlantic Chapter The Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research tel: (908) 277-5328 fax: (908) 277-4374 email: dennis.france@SPAMFOIL.pharma.novartis.com John Babiak, Ph.D. High Throughput Screening Chair, Mid Atlantic Chapter Pharmacopeia tel: (609) 452-3795 fax: (732) 821-2037 email: jbabiak@SPAMFOIL.pharmacop.com William Haller Analytical Chemistry Chair, Mid Atlantic Chapter Treasurer, LRIG Home and Mid Atlantic Chapter Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical tel: (908) 218-6341 fax: (908) 218-0524 email: bill.haller@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org Sharon Reed Event Coordinator, Mid Atlantic Chapter Coelacanth Corporation tel: (609) 448-8200 ext 2044 email: sharon.reed@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org M. Elizabeth Miller Agricultural Applications Chair, Mid Atlantic Chapter Rohm & Haas Company tel: (215) 641-7285 fax: (215) 619-1617 email: rsaumm@SPAMFOIL.rohmhaas.com Jinzi Wu, Ph.D. Assay Development Chair, Mid Atlantic Chapter The Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research email: jinzi.wu@SPAMFOIL.pharma.novartis.com Andy Zaayenga Automation Technologies Chair, Mid Atlantic Chapter Secretary, LRIG Home and Mid Atlantic Chapter TekCel Corporation tel: (732) 302-1038 fax: (732) 302-9080, eFax: (630) 604-2935 email: andy.zaayenga@SPAMFOIL.tekcel.com ************************************************************* Directions: >From the North or South: Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 8A - Exit the left ramp for Jamesburg (Route 32 East) - Continue straight for 1 1/4 miles through traffic light - Forsgate Country Club is on your left - Use the Clubhouse Entrance (second left). >From Princeton: Route 1 to Scudders Mill Road East - Continue on Scudders Mill Road and make a left at the 5th traffic light onto Dey Road - Continue on Dey Road to the end - Make a left - At 2nd traffic light (Route 32) make a right - Continue straight for 1 1/4 miles through traffic light - Forsgate Country Club is on your left - Use the Clubhouse entrance (second left). ************************************************************* For more information on this meeting, visit https://www.lab-robotics.org/Mid_Atlantic/meetings/9910.htm Visit The Laboratory Robotics Interest Group homepage at https://www.lab-robotics.org ************************************************************* The Laboratory Robotics Interest Group is a rapidly growing special interest group focused on robotics applications in the laboratory. Our membership consists of over 5,000 scientists and engineers worldwide with more than 2,800 in the Mid Atlantic Chapter. From: John Brohan Subject: Conductive test tubes Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 15:20:00 -0400 Hello We have an appplication where it would be convenient to measure the conductivity between a pipette in a test tube and the wall of the test tube. One straightforward way to do this would be to use test tubes (15-20ml) made of some conductive material and measure the conductivity between the pipette and the rack. Does anyone know of a source for these conductive tubes. Yours Sincerely John Brohan -- John Brohan National Instruments Alliance member in Montreal Traders Micro "We connect all sorts of things to computers" 317 Barberry Place DDO Montreal PQ Canada H9G 1V3 Tel (514)995-3749 jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net http://g41-92.citenet.net/users/ctmx3460/ From: "Crisafi, Katherine [PRI]" Subject: Plate Sealers Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 07:01:12 -0400 Hello Everyone! I was wondering if anyone has come across a plate sealer (heat sealer or other) for microtiter plates of various sizes. I also need to know if the sealer could be integrated into a robotic system. I am aware of the Marsh ALPS-100 and the Zymark Presto Sealer and wish to be able to make an informed decision by checking out all possibilities prior to making a purchase. Thank you, Kathy Katherine Crisafi Associate Scientist RW Johnson-PRI Chemical Distribution Office Phone: 908-704-4991 Fax: 908-526-6469 e-mail: KCRISAFI@SPAMFOIL.prius.jnj.com From: BLUCK@SPAMFOIL.britbio.co.uk Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: 96-well sonicators Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 13:37 +0000 Does anybody know of a vendor in the UK for the Misonix plate sonicator (or similar)? Thanks. Gavin Bluck Medicinal Chemistry British Biotech Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Oxford OX4 5LY Tel: 44 (0)1865 748747 ext 2863 Fax: 44 (0)1865 780814 From: Derek Yegian Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Conductive test tubes Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 10:15:40 -0700 John, If you are just looking for a few tubes for testing purposes, an easy solution would be to have the test tube "sputtered" with a conductive material. We've gold-plated 96 well microtiter plates before for research purposes. Any questions, drop a line. dty John Brohan wrote: > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > Hello > We have an appplication where it would be convenient to measure the > conductivity between a pipette in a test tube and the wall of the test > tube. One straightforward way to do this would be to use test tubes > (15-20ml) made of some conductive material and measure the conductivity > between the pipette and the rack. Does anyone know of a source for these > conductive tubes. > > Yours Sincerely > John Brohan > > -- > John Brohan National Instruments Alliance member in Montreal > Traders Micro "We connect all sorts of things to computers" > 317 Barberry Place DDO Montreal PQ Canada H9G 1V3 Tel (514)995-3749 > jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net http://g41-92.citenet.net/users/ctmx3460/ > > --- Lab-Robotics Discussion > To be removed from this list, please send an e-mail message to > discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org with just UNSUBSCRIBE as the subject. > Alternatively, click on this link > mailto:discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org?subject=unsubscribe Kathy, We've had a Presto Sealer for a few months now and have been generally pleased with its operation. Integrating it is very easy though - just a couple of discrete I/O lines. One caveat - we've had trouble using the standard seals with a piercing autosampler because the plates (deep wells from Polyfiltronics) weren't perfectly flat on the top surface plus the lips around the wells were raised, thus reducing the "gripping" area of the seal. Piercing the edge wells would sometimes cause the seal to press down into the well instead of piercing through. We've been evaluating other seals from Zymark to better deal with this instance. I would definitely test your plates and the type of seals you need with their unit before purchasing a Presto Sealer. In regard to the Marsh sealer, we saw a demo of their heat sealer about a year ago and it seemed to work well although I didn't like the fact that it requires registration "blocks" to hold the plate. Any automated system would have to switch blocks if different types of plates (deep, standard) were to be used in a single procedure. They may have changed this since then, though. -Jeff Russell Manager, Project Engineering Bristol-Myers Squibb PRI ph (609) 252-4201 "Crisafi, Katherine [PRI]" wrote: > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > Hello Everyone! > > I was wondering if anyone has come across a plate sealer (heat sealer or > other) for microtiter plates of various sizes. I also need to know if the > sealer could be integrated into a robotic system. I am aware of the Marsh > ALPS-100 and the Zymark Presto Sealer and wish to be able to make an > informed decision by checking out all possibilities prior to making a > purchase. > > Thank you, > Kathy > Katherine Crisafi > Associate Scientist > RW Johnson-PRI > Chemical Distribution Office > Phone: 908-704-4991 > Fax: 908-526-6469 > e-mail: KCRISAFI@SPAMFOIL.prius.jnj.com > [] jeffrey.russell1.vcf From: "Feiglin, Marc" Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Plate Sealers Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 17:20:37 -0400 We use the Tomtec QuadraSealer9600 for this very reason. It is able to seal any height plate from regular to deep well. By placing a plate in upside down, it can seal the bottoms of plates too. It is also able to seal the recessed bottom of a Packard Unifilter plate, the only sealer we've come across that can do this. The sealer uses adhesive labels though, not heat sealing. Like much Tomtec equipment, it is finicky to integrate into a robotic system from a software view. Form a hardware viewpoint, it was designed to work with a variety of robot arms, and works very well. Marc -----Original Message----- From: Crisafi, Katherine [PRI] [mailto:KCrisafi@SPAMFOIL.prius.jnj.com] Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 7:01 AM To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Plate Sealers --------------------- Lab-Robotics Discussion --------------------- Hello Everyone! I was wondering if anyone has come across a plate sealer (heat sealer or other) for microtiter plates of various sizes. I also need to know if the sealer could be integrated into a robotic system. I am aware of the Marsh ALPS-100 and the Zymark Presto Sealer and wish to be able to make an informed decision by checking out all possibilities prior to making a purchase. Thank you, Kathy Katherine Crisafi Associate Scientist RW Johnson-PRI Chemical Distribution Office Phone: 908-704-4991 Fax: 908-526-6469 e-mail: KCRISAFI@SPAMFOIL.prius.jnj.com --- Lab-Robotics Discussion To temporarily suspend messages from this list, send an e-mail message to discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org with just SUSPEND-xx (xx is a number) as the subject. This will suspend your account for xx days or until you send a RESUME command. From: Michael Girardi Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Plate Sealers Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 17:43:22 -0400 REMP offers a heat sealer for microtiter plates. Please check our website at www.remp-ch.com for additional information and please feel free to contact me as noted below for additional information. Regards, Michael Girardi "Crisafi, Katherine [PRI]" wrote: > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > Hello Everyone! > > I was wondering if anyone has come across a plate sealer (heat sealer or > other) for microtiter plates of various sizes. I also need to know if the > sealer could be integrated into a robotic system. I am aware of the Marsh > ALPS-100 and the Zymark Presto Sealer and wish to be able to make an > informed decision by checking out all possibilities prior to making a > purchase. > > Thank you, > Kathy > Katherine Crisafi > Associate Scientist > RW Johnson-PRI > Chemical Distribution Office > Phone: 908-704-4991 > Fax: 908-526-6469 > e-mail: KCRISAFI@SPAMFOIL.prius.jnj.com > > --- Lab-Robotics Discussion > To view statistics on this list, send an e-mail message to > discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org with just STATS as the subject. You will > receive statistics for the mailing list showing number of > subscribers, domain types and messages. -- REMP USA, Inc. Westborough Office Park 1700 West Park Drive, Westborough, MA 01581 USA office: 800-460-REMP(7367) fax: 508-366-2534 website: www.remp-ch.com From: Stuart_Gibb@SPAMFOIL.bd.com Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Plate Sealers Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 10:29:25 -0400 May want to contact company out of MA called Tekcel they are working some unique plate sealing systems http://www.tekcel.com/sealtite.htm Tel # 732 302 1038 Mr Andy Zaayenga. --------------------- Lab-Robotics Discussion --------------------- Hello Everyone! I was wondering if anyone has come across a plate sealer (heat sealer or other) for microtiter plates of various sizes. I also need to know if the sealer could be integrated into a robotic system. I am aware of the Marsh ALPS-100 and the Zymark Presto Sealer and wish to be able to make an informed decision by checking out all possibilities prior to making a purchase. Thank you, Kathy Katherine Crisafi Associate Scientist RW Johnson-PRI Chemical Distribution Office Phone: 908-704-4991 Fax: 908-526-6469 e-mail: KCRISAFI@SPAMFOIL.prius.jnj.com From: "Werner Haelg, T-AG" Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 07:31:40 +0200 Hello John I'm sorry, it's not conductivity as mentioned before it's the electric capacity what is measured. One measures the jump between the air and the to detected liquid. So it is "single event". After the tip is dipped into the liquid you no signal. When you dip out of the liquid you detect again a jump in the other direction. In TECAN robots the "dip out signal" is used for Clot Detection or for the Save Detection Mode (the tip dips several times in and out. It is compared if the signal is detected always on the same height). To measure the conductance one needs TWO electrodes of a defined surface size and distance. In highly conductive media one risks to do some electrochemistry. You could monitor if the tip leaves the liquid. When a "back jump" occurs it's out. Werner H鄟g _________________________________________________________ Dr. Werner J. Haelg TECAN AG Research & Development Tel: 011 41 55 254 82 34 Feldbachstrasse 80 Fax: 011 41 55 254 82 57 8634 Hombrechtikon werner.haelg@SPAMFOIL.tecan.ch SWITZERLAND http:\\www.tecan.com -----Original Message----- From: Napolitano, Christopher [mailto:christopher_napolitano@SPAMFOIL.merck.com] Sent: Freitag, 1. Oktober 1999 14:15 To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing --------------------- Lab-Robotics Discussion --------------------- The way in which the more recent models of Tecans and Packard (in addition to most other commercial producers of liquid handlers) sense the surface of the liquid is through conductance. It measures a difference between the conductance of air and the liquid that you are trying to sense. If the difference meets a certain threshold then the liquid will be sensed. Hope that helps. > ---------- > From: John Brohan[SMTP:jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net] > Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 5:47 PM > To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org > Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing > > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > Hello > I am interested in detecting when a robotic probe touches the surface of > a liquid in a vial. Many robots have this facility built in, but I would > like to be able to sense from time to time if the pipette tip is in the > liquid. I do not know what physical property is measured to do this > surface sensing. > > I have an elderly Tecan 505 robot and I want to add some new abilities > to its rather fixed programming capabilities. > > Yours Sincerely > -- > John Brohan National Instruments Alliance member in Montreal > Traders Micro "We connect all sorts of things to computers" > 317 Barberry Place DDO Montreal PQ Canada H9G 1V3 Tel (514)995-3749 > jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net http://g41-92.citenet.net/users/ctmx3460/ --- Lab-Robotics Discussion The LRIG also maintains a mailing list for buying and selling used laboratory automation equipment. To subscribe to the Swap Shop list, send a message to swapshop@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org with just "Subscribe" (no quotes) in the subject. From: David Batey Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Quality Control for a TECANGenesis Date: Thu, 07 Oct 1999 17:53:49 -0700 Tom, We have developed validation testing protocols for the Robbins Hydra multichannel dispensers that may be helpful to you in working with the Tecan. Basically, they consist of gravimetric measurements as well as detection of volumes of a fluorescein standard dispensed into wet and dry plates. We also use a standard curve method to determine accuracy down to sub-microliter volumes. Precision is measured for the entire channel array (96 or 384 channels in our case) and for each individual channel across multiple dispenses. So, precision (the same volume delivered from each channel and the volume delivered reproducibly from individual channels) as well as accuracy both fiqure highly in our validation studies. I would be happy to share any information that would be helpful to you. Below are two pages on our website that you might find of interest. Measuring the Uniformity of Dispense for the Hydra http://www.robsci.com/innovations/iv52h.html Mapping the Performance of the Hydra Microdispenser Syringe Array: A Visual Tool for Evaluation of Individual Syringes http://www.robsci.com/innovations/iv61hc.html David Batey, Ph.D. (dbatey@SPAMFOIL.robsci.com) Robbins Scientific >"Tom McCloud " on 09/23/99 11:49:30 AM > >Please respond to discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org > >To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org (Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List) >cc: (bcc: Jeff Busnach/Bev/NA/Millipore) >Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Quality Control for a TECAN Genesis > > > > >--------------------- >Lab-Robotics Discussion >--------------------- > We are preparing 96 well microtiter plates in support >of a screening group with a TECAN Genesis RSP 150. A QC- >type person at the facility has asked us to put together >some data to verify the accuracy of the delivery. > So my first question is: How have others addressed this >sort of a request? (lit references would be useful!) What >experimental data have you gathered? What is the precision >others expect of such an instrument, and for a screening >effort? > Second: We prepared a solution of trypan blue and ran >the TECAN through it's normal plate preparation routine. >For this purpose we are using the permanent teflon coated >stainless steel tips, and teflon tubing, and the 2.5ml >syringe pumps. The normal plate preparation routine is >somewhat complex, going through 2 dilution steps. The >final delivery into test plates is 25ul. The plates were >read at 570nm. The CV is in the 7-8% range. Is this a >typical/acceptable range for others in industry doing >similar work? > Third: We are puzzled by an apparent trend of >decreasing concentration on repetitive dispenses from the >same tip. For example, when the TECAN is programmed to >draw up 2400 ul of the dye solution, then dispenses 100 ul >24 sequential times, and the plate is read, this is want >the data looks like: > >1325,1278,1269,1321,1261,1251,1235,1223,1215,1177,1184,1125, >1099,1087,1070,1074,1103,1109,1066,1031,1004,1003,999,981 > >Overall there seems to be a trend of decreasing OD. We do >not believe there is a change in the volume being >delivered. There appears to be no mixing across the air >gap. The system solvent is water, and the dye is dissolved >in water. Could there be a sufficient volume of water >retained on the walls of the teflon tubing to dilute out >the dye solution as it moves up the tubing? Has anyone >observed a similar effect and if so, what can be done to >minimize it? > Thanks for the comments. > Tom McCloud > Natural Products Support Group > SAIC Frederick Cancer Research > >--- Lab-Robotics Discussion >To retrieve a help file on this list, send an e-mail message to >discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org with just HELP as the subject. > >--- Lab-Robotics Discussion >The Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List is a feature of the >Laboratory Robotics Interest Group, www.lab-robotics.org. > From: Walter A Philipson (by way of Andy Zaayenga ) Subject: microplate barcodes Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 00:59:13 -0400 I am soliciting input from those of you who use bar codes on your microplates for tracking. I have the following questions: Is there a standard (or most popular) position for user applied bar code labels? Long or short side? The side adjacent to A-1, or the side adjacent to H-12? Our device will require two labels, one of which is applied by us (the manufacturer,) and the other by the user. The manufacturer applied bar code communicates to the testing instrument information about the material supplied on the plate. The user supplied bar code is used by the user to track the plate throughout the lab. If the manufacturer supplied each plate with an unique number, would this be acceptable to the user for tracking? Thanks Walt Philipson wphilipson@SPAMFOIL.xanthon.net Xanthon (relayed from SBS microplate standards discussion group) From: chomon@SPAMFOIL.rdg.boehringer-ingelheim.com (by way of Andy Zaayenga ) Subject: RE: microplate barcodes Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:01:52 -0400 We prefer the short A-1 side for our bar codes for most of our uses. It is the only position for our Allegro system and we find it best for most of our automation. I prefer code 128B but we can read other codes. We have a database of bar codes and would have to specify what bar codes could be used on your plates. A unique bar code to you may not be to my database. I would suggest that you offer the option to let the user apply their own bar codes. Most of us that are using lots of plates are doing our own bar codes now as well. > -----Original Message----- > From: Walter A Philipson [SMTP:wphilipson@SPAMFOIL.xanthon.net] > Sent: Thursday, October 07, 1999 2:13 PM > To: 'sbs-stds@SPAMFOIL.listserv.olemiss.edu' > Subject: microplate barcodes > > I am soliciting input from those of you who use bar codes on your > microplates for tracking. I have the following questions: > > Is there a standard (or most popular) position for user applied bar code > labels? Long or short side? The side adjacent to A-1, or the side adjacent > to H-12? Our device will require two labels, one of which is applied by > us (the manufacturer,) and the other by the user. The manufacturer applied > bar code communicates to the testing instrument information about the material > supplied on the plate. The user supplied bar code is used by the user to > track the plate throughout the lab. > If the manufacturer supplied each plate with an unique number, would this > be acceptable to the user for tracking? > > > Thanks > > Walt Philipson > Xanthon > (relayed from SBS microplate standards discussion group) From: "DeChard, Collette S" (by way of Andy Zaayenga ) Subject: RE: microplate barcodes Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:02:17 -0400 Our standard barcode format is 128 on the A12 short side. Collette DeChard Merck & Co. > ---------- > From: Walter A Philipson[SMTP:wphilipson@SPAMFOIL.xanthon.net] > Sent: Thursday, October 07, 1999 2:13 PM > To: 'sbs-stds@SPAMFOIL.listserv.olemiss.edu' > Subject: microplate barcodes > > I am soliciting input from those of you who use bar codes on your > microplates for tracking. I have the following questions: > > Is there a standard (or most popular) position for user applied bar code > labels? Long or short side? The side adjacent to A-1, or the side adjacent > to H-12? Our device will require two labels, one of which is applied by > us (the manufacturer,) and the other by the user. The manufacturer applied > bar code communicates to the testing instrument information about the material > supplied on the plate. The user supplied bar code is used by the user to > track the plate throughout the lab. > If the manufacturer supplied each plate with an unique number, would this > be acceptable to the user for tracking? > > > Thanks > > Walt Philipson > Xanthon > (relayed from SBS microplate standards discussion group) From: "Stein Roaldset" Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Heat Sealer Date: Sun, 3 Oct 1999 18:51:22 -0700 Duncan, the Platesealer from Tomtec can seal both top and bottom of a plate (adhesive seals) although the robot must take the plate out and turn it around. Info available at www.tomtec.com Regards Stein A. Roaldset Tomtec Inc. 203-281-6790 -----Original Message----- From: MCNICOL, DUNCAN To: Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List Date: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 6:58 PM Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Heat Sealer >--------------------- >Lab-Robotics Discussion >--------------------- > > Annette, > > I am looking into the possibility of using the ALPS in my lab and was > wondering if you could be a little more specific on why/how it > malfunctioned. I currently have a demo model and wish to test it as > best I can. > > (I'm sure you're aware of Zymark's Presto Sealers. We have several of > those and they're pretty good for what we are using them for, but they > don't seal plate bottoms, and the seals are not friendly to <0C > storage) > > Any info on the ALPS would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks! > > Mark > ______________________________ Forward Header > __________________________________ Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: > Heat Sealer > Author: "Annette Jabson Wheelock" [SMTP:ajw@SPAMFOIL.alacrim.alanex.com] at > S-P_EXHUB_AM Date: 8/26/1999 2:09 PM > > > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > I was wondering if anyone has come across any great automated > heat-sealers for microtiter plates. We currently have a Marsh > ALPS-100, but it is prone to a lot of breakdowns. Does anyone know of > a very reliable one that could be integrated with a twister arm? > > Thanks - > Annette Jabson Wheelock > Alanex Corporation From: "Sheldon, Adrian" Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: microplate barcodes Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 08:05:40 -0400 Beckman/Sagian typically use barcodes on the A1 side (barcode reader on the left). > ---------- > From: Walter A Philipson[SMTP:wphilipson@SPAMFOIL.xanthon.net] > Reply To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org > Sent: Friday, October 08, 1999 12:59 AM > To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org > Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: microplate barcodes > > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > I am soliciting input from those of you who use bar codes on your > microplates for tracking. I have the following questions: > > Is there a standard (or most popular) position for user applied bar code > labels? Long or short side? The side adjacent to A-1, or the side adjacent > > to H-12? Our device will require two labels, one of which is applied by > us > (the manufacturer,) and the other by the user. The manufacturer applied > bar > code communicates to the testing instrument information about the material > > supplied on the plate. The user supplied bar code is used by the user to > track the plate throughout the lab. > If the manufacturer supplied each plate with an unique number, would this > be > acceptable to the user for tracking? > > Thanks > > Walt Philipson > wphilipson@SPAMFOIL.xanthon.net > Xanthon > > (relayed from SBS microplate standards discussion group) > From: "david allen" Subject: silicon serial numbers Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 08:08:58 -0400 anyone using the silicon serial number chips? the I-buttons have been around for a while, but I'm now seeing new SMT chips that are smaller than erasers. some of these contain batteries and can log thousands of temperature readings at programmed intervals as well as provide 128 bit serial numbers. they look like they'd be ideal for archiving samples in SBS type plates. they're $1-5 each in small lots, but if they could be molded into a plate at a standard location, it'd make life much easier. da From: "Smith, Todd, HMR/US" Subject: Automated Centrifuge Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 10:55:02 -0500 Hello, Does anyone have information and or experience with robot friendly centrifuges. Todd Smith Biology / Chemistry Automation Selectide, a subsidiary of Hoechst Marion Roussel 1580 East Hanley Boulevard Tucson, Arizona 85737 (520) 544-5884 Phone (520) 575-1439 Fax todd.smith@SPAMFOIL.hmrag.com From Oyster Bay Pump Works: We produce a variety of automated microplate processing equipment which can get rather large. We build machines with over 30 plate processing steps in straight line sequence. The length of a system which sequentially processes such a series of plates is minimized by orienting the plates so that they advance in the short dimension direction. This results in the series of plates being side by side on the long dimension (with only a very small space between each plate). This long dimension then becomes the one which is more difficult to access to either read or apply a bar code (or other label). There is a trade off between the benefit of more real estate on the long dimension and machine size. Of course, at greater cost and complexity, it is always possible to add mechanisms which enable addressing both sides. To keep things simpler, less expensive, and smaller, the short dimension (either side) is favored. Best regards, Patrick Gaillard ----- Original Message ----- From: Walter A Philipson (by way of Andy Zaayenga ) To: Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List Sent: Friday, October 08, 1999 12:59 AM Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: microplate barcodes --------------------- Lab-Robotics Discussion --------------------- I am soliciting input from those of you who use bar codes on your microplates for tracking. I have the following questions: Is there a standard (or most popular) position for user applied bar code labels? Long or short side? The side adjacent to A-1, or the side adjacent to H-12? Our device will require two labels, one of which is applied by us (the manufacturer,) and the other by the user. The manufacturer applied bar code communicates to the testing instrument information about the material supplied on the plate. The user supplied bar code is used by the user to track the plate throughout the lab. If the manufacturer supplied each plate with an unique number, would this be acceptable to the user for tracking? Thanks Walt Philipson wphilipson@SPAMFOIL.xanthon.net Xanthon (relayed from SBS microplate standards discussion group) --- Lab-Robotics Discussion To subscribe to this list, please send an e-mail message to discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org with just SUBSCRIBE as the subject. Alternatively, click on this link: mailto:discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org?subject=subscribe From: Teptek@SPAMFOIL.aol.com Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 15:28:22 EDT Dear John The Biomek 2000 from Beckman utilizes sonic liquid level sensing. By measuring the time it takes to "bounce" a sound beam off the miniscus in a vial back to the pipetting tool on the Biomek we can detect the level of liquid in that vial. Further, you can direct what depth below the miniscus you want the pipette tip to travel prior to any aspiration of sample. Bob Tepe From: William Suits Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: silicon serial numbers Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 08:37:10 -0400 Please provide the sources for the silicon serial number chips. And other useful formats. They sound very useful. Bill Suits david allen wrote: > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > anyone using the silicon serial number chips? the I-buttons have been > around for a while, but I'm now seeing new SMT chips that are smaller than > erasers. some of these contain batteries and can log thousands of > temperature readings at programmed intervals as well as provide 128 bit > serial numbers. they look like they'd be ideal for archiving samples in SBS > type plates. > > they're $1-5 each in small lots, but if they could be molded into a plate at > a standard location, it'd make life much easier. > > da > From: Amer El-Hage (by way of Andy Zaayenga ) Subject: RE: microplate barcodes Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 11:38:06 -0400 As instrument makers (Multimode detectors and systems for HTS) our bar-code readers on Analyst and Acquest can be placed to read any of two sides of the four sides of a microplate. Earlier survey revealed that the majority of HTS users put their bar code labels either on the A1 short side or the H1 long side, and that was what we implemented. I would like to hear other user validation and confirmation to the previous statement. Also most bar-code readers nowadays can decode (read) automatically all common format of bar-codes (i.e. code 39, interleaved 2 of 5, CODABAR, 128 and of course UPC) . It is generally not a problem what code you put on when running your plates on our instruments. We suggest a minimum width of 0.25"(6mm) and a maximum length of 2.5"(60 mm) for the bar-code label and not to fill the whole length of the label with line codes. That is to leave a bit of white or clear space at the start and end of the bar-code. We also recommend to use a medium density (e.g. 0.25 mm-10 mil) or wider for the code print for reliable reading. I hope this info was useful. (relayed from SBS Microplate Standards Group) From: John Brohan Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 10:02:54 -0400 Hi Werner Thanks very much for your reply. The actual problem I am working on is to separate (a rack full of) two immiscible liquids in a test tube, one is water based, and the other is organic. I am using a Tecan 505 (from the late paleolithic period). We are finding that if we let the ethyl acetate /water mixture settle for ten minutes, we can thrust through the ethyl acetate and stop exactly at the water surface. If however the attempt is made after the mixture has been settling for only five minutes, then the probe tip stops half way through the ethyl acetate, one or two cm below its surface. We also observe that this procedure works only in plastic vials, in glass vials the probe always stops halfway through the ethyl acetate. Is there some way to modify the sensitivity of the capacitance sensing, perhaps adding a capacitor in parallel with the tip? The conductivity is a convenient measurement technique, but it makes the probe very complicated and hard to wash! Yours Sincerely John Hello John I'm sorry, it's not conductivity as mentioned before it's the electric capacity what is measured. One measures the jump between the air and the to detected liquid. So it is "single event". After the tip is dipped into the liquid you no signal. When you dip out of the liquid you detect again a jump in the other direction. In TECAN robots the "dip out signal" is used for Clot Detection or for the Save Detection Mode (the tip dips several times in and out. It is compared if the signal is detected always on the same height). To measure the conductance one needs TWO electrodes of a defined surface size and distance. In highly conductive media one risks to do some electrochemistry. You could monitor if the tip leaves the liquid. When a "back jump" occurs it's out. -- John Brohan National Instruments Alliance member in Montreal Traders Micro "We connect all sorts of things to computers" 317 Barberry Place DDO Montreal PQ Canada H9G 1V3 Tel (514)995-3749 jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net http://g41-92.citenet.net/users/ctmx3460/ From: Robert F Trinka Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Automated Centrifuge Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 17:55:24 -0400 Todd: We think that the best one is made by Hettig and sold by RevPro in the US -- Dick Yacko: 203-268-5337. Regards, Bob Trinka, Robocon Inc. From: Gottfried Griesmayr Subject: microplate barcodes Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 09:15:06 +0200 I am afraid there is no generally suited standard side for applying barcode labels to microplates, it will depend on the movement direction of the plate in an instrument or how it is handled by a gripper. In our microplate readers we have to read barcode labels on the long side H1 - H 12, because of 8-channel reading and movement in this direction. In the fully automated system "Autolucy" the barcode is read on the short side A12 - H12, because the gripper holds the plate on the long sides. Dr. Gottfried Griesmayr Product & Account Manager Phone: +43 662 857220 Mobile: +43 676 3032676 Fax: +43 662 857223 E-mail: gottfried.griesmayr@SPAMFOIL.anthos-labtec.com Homepage: http://www.anthos-labtec.com From: Walter A Philipson (by way of Andy Zaayenga ) Subject: microplate barcodes Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 00:59:13 -0400 I am soliciting input from those of you who use bar codes on your microplates for tracking. I have the following questions: Is there a standard (or most popular) position for user applied bar code labels? Long or short side? The side adjacent to A-1, or the side adjacent to H-12? Our device will require two labels, one of which is applied by us (the manufacturer,) and the other by the user. The manufacturer applied bar code communicates to the testing instrument information about the material supplied on the plate. The user supplied bar code is used by the user to track the plate throughout the lab. If the manufacturer supplied each plate with an unique number, would this be acceptable to the user for tracking? Thanks Walt Philipson wphilipson@SPAMFOIL.xanthon.net From: Pfost Dale Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Esoteric History of Biomek-related technology -- Techniques of surface sensing Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 09:26:08 -0400 As a side note on liquid level sensing ... an esoteric history of the Biomek The liquid level sensing system on the Biomek (and the patents thereon) were originally designed as a means of making an assessment of the viscosity of the liquid-not just liquid-level-to-air transitions. The principle used is a speaker-microphone combination that sets up an acoustic circuit whose frequency and phase (or time response) properties are modified by the movement (in response to the driving force of the speaker, or piston) of the liquid (or gas) in the tip and at its end. The inherent properties of such a system are very sensitive to very small changes in the "complex impedance of the circuit". I always liked the invention a lot but we never had time to really flush out all the applications-the patent does cover quite a few. The invention was used on the commercially available version of the Biomek 1000 to measure the big viscosity difference between air and liquid (liquid level sensing to most) but was also used, in at least some versions of the software, as a means of detecting the tip being present or not (using the same principle). That was nice-the system knew if it had not seated a tip properly. The system was nice because the tip was disposable and did not require any conductive materials in the plastic (that might change the molding properties or biological/chemical properties of the tip). The point of all this is that we had always wanted to experiment with phase-phase separation systems where the acoustic impedance of the system would be used to look at the liquid-liquid interface. I am confident (but unsure) that this would work if someone put the effort in. The idea was originally to be able to have the Biomek actually change its aspirate and dispense rates automatically in response to its own viscosity measurements. The invention also could be used as a means of measuring viscosity with a cheap disposable tip (viscosity measurements are usually undertaken by very different devices). I am not a liquid viscosity expert by any means but the Biomek system for liquid measurements may have utility to phase-phase interface detection ... it would require quite a bit of work however to rework the analogue and digital electronics and get the system to interface with software. Now, exactly how all this has evolved over the last ten years is not something that may be easily determined. Dale Pfost -----Original Message----- From: John Brohan [mailto:jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net] Sent: Sunday, October 10, 1999 10:03 AM To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Techniques of surface sensing --------------------- Lab-Robotics Discussion --------------------- Hi Werner Thanks very much for your reply. The actual problem I am working on is to separate (a rack full of) two immiscible liquids in a test tube, one is water based, and the other is organic. I am using a Tecan 505 (from the late paleolithic period). We are finding that if we let the ethyl acetate /water mixture settle for ten minutes, we can thrust through the ethyl acetate and stop exactly at the water surface. If however the attempt is made after the mixture has been settling for only five minutes, then the probe tip stops half way through the ethyl acetate, one or two cm below its surface. We also observe that this procedure works only in plastic vials, in glass vials the probe always stops halfway through the ethyl acetate. Is there some way to modify the sensitivity of the capacitance sensing, perhaps adding a capacitor in parallel with the tip? The conductivity is a convenient measurement technique, but it makes the probe very complicated and hard to wash! Yours Sincerely John Hello John I'm sorry, it's not conductivity as mentioned before it's the electric capacity what is measured. One measures the jump between the air and the to detected liquid. So it is "single event". After the tip is dipped into the liquid you no signal. When you dip out of the liquid you detect again a jump in the other direction. In TECAN robots the "dip out signal" is used for Clot Detection or for the Save Detection Mode (the tip dips several times in and out. It is compared if the signal is detected always on the same height). To measure the conductance one needs TWO electrodes of a defined surface size and distance. In highly conductive media one risks to do some electrochemistry. You could monitor if the tip leaves the liquid. When a "back jump" occurs it's out. -- John Brohan National Instruments Alliance member in Montreal Traders Micro "We connect all sorts of things to computers" 317 Barberry Place DDO Montreal PQ Canada H9G 1V3 Tel (514)995-3749 jbrohan@SPAMFOIL.citenet.net http://g41-92.citenet.net/users/ctmx3460/ From: "Wildey, Mary Jo [PRI]" Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: microplate barcodes Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 09:57:22 -0400 We use both the A1 short side and the H1 long side Thanks for the other info, too. MJ (relayed from SBS microplate standards group) From: Bryan Wildman (by way of Andy Zaayenga ) Subject: RE: microplate barcodes Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 20:21:36 -0400 The SAGIAN Core Systems are designed to read barcodes on the A1 short side of the plate. Most customers have incorporated this labeling approach without issue. It is common for our customers to place a label on both the A1 short side and an additional label on one of the other sides (the A12 short side is the most common alternate) for easy operator identification when the plate is in a hotel or on a shelf. Some customers put an encoded barcode label (with the bars of the barcode) on the A1 short side and then a secondary text label on the A12 short side to supply additional human readable information to system operators. As you can see the placement of labels varies from lab-to-lab, but I believe the A1 short side is the most common location. Most of our customers tend to use Code 128 or 39 (also called 3 of 9). I agree that most barcode readers now decode most code types so this is typically not an issue. The most important aspect of barcode labeling is to produce a clearly printed label. The notes about white space and density (below) are important for consistent and repeatable reading of the label. Bryan J. Wildman Engineering Manager SAGIAN Operations Beckman Coulter, Inc. bryan.wildman@SPAMFOIL.sagian.com 317.808.4252 -----Original Message----- From: Amer El-Hage [SMTP:aelhage@SPAMFOIL.ljlbio.com] Sent: Monday, October 11, 1999 7:48 AM To: 'sbs-stds@SPAMFOIL.listserv.olemiss.edu' Subject: RE: microplate barcodes As instrument makers (Multimode detectors and systems for HTS) our bar-code readers on Analyst and Acquest can be placed to read any of two sides of the four sides of a microplate. Earlier survey revealed that the majority of HTS users put their bar code labels either on the A1 short side or the H1 long side, and that was what we implemented. I would like to hear other user validation and confirmation to the previous statement. Also most bar-code readers nowadays can decode (read) automatically all common format of bar-codes (i.e. code 39, interleaved 2 of 5, CODABAR, 128 and of course UPC) . It is generally not a problem what code you put on when running your plates on our instruments. We suggest a minimum width of 0.25"(6mm) and a maximum length of 2.5"(60 mm) for the bar-code label and not to fill the whole length of the label with line codes. That is to leave a bit of white or clear space at the start and end of the bar-code. We also recommend to use a medium density (e.g. 0.25 mm-10 mil) or wider for the code print for reliable reading. I hope this info was useful. (relayed from SBS microplate standards group) From: Derek Yegian Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Automated Centrifuge Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 10:02:23 -0700 Just to let everyone know, Hettich's website is www.hettich-zentrifugen.de. Derek Yegian Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Robert F Trinka wrote: > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > Todd: > We think that the best one is made by Hettig and sold by RevPro in the US > -- Dick Yacko: 203-268-5337. > > Regards, Bob Trinka, Robocon Inc. > From: Peter Niggemann Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: microplate barcodes Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 23:51:46 -0700 At 08:38 AM 10/9/99 , Amer El-Hage wrote: > >As instrument makers (Multimode detectors and systems for HTS) our bar-code >readers on Analyst and Acquest can be placed to read any of two sides of >the >four sides of a microplate. Earlier survey revealed that the majority of >HTS >users put their bar code labels either on the A1 short side or the H1 long >side, and that was what we implemented. I would like to hear other user >validation and confirmation to the previous statement. > And if you include a method for rotating the plate data you have the capability to read a barcode on any of the four sides of a plate. We are in the market for a 96-well serial dilutilon workstation (something similiar to the SerialMate). Ideally the unit would be capable of unattended operation. We need low (i.e., 2 - 5) microliter accuracy for pipetting DMSO solutions. Any help would be appreciated. Regards, Bob Dougherty Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. From: "Stephen Hopkins" Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Serial dilution workstations Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 07:58:15 +0100 At BioFocus we have just Ordered a Zinsser Lissy system to do just this. We will be using it at the 100ul scale, but I'm sure that it is simply a matter of changing the syringes. The alternative was a Gilson 215, but the software for this job is either write it yourself, or wait a few months until it is written (Anachem UK assure us that the software is being currently written). The Lissy is a four needle, variable volume per needle system. The 215 can either be single needle, or with a bank of 8 needles, the downside being all eight needles pipette the same volume as each other. Finally, the 215 can definitely be integrated into other robotic systems, while I am not sure about the Lissy. When we get the Lissy and play around with it, I can post back to the list with our full opinions. Hope this helps, Steve Steve Hopkins BioFocus plc 130 Abbott Drive Sittingbourne Research Centre Broadoak Road Sittingbourne KENT ME9 8AZ Tel +44 (0) 1795 412300 Fax +44 (0) 1795 471123 http://www.biofocus.co.uk ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Dougherty To: Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List Sent: 13 October 1999 20:23 Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Serial dilution workstations We are in the market for a 96-well serial dilutilon workstation (something similiar to the SerialMate). Ideally the unit would be capable of unattended operation. We need low (i.e., 2 - 5) microliter accuracy for pipetting DMSO solutions. Any help would be appreciated. Regards, Bob Dougherty Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. I believe Matrix sells a serial dilution workstation for 96-well plates. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Dougherty To: Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 3:23 PM Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Serial dilution workstations We are in the market for a 96-well serial dilutilon workstation (something similiar to the SerialMate). Ideally the unit would be capable of unattended operation. We need low (i.e., 2 - 5) microliter accuracy for pipetting DMSO solutions. Any help would be appreciated. Regards, Bob Dougherty Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. From: "BODE, Donald C." Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Serial dilution workstations Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 10:47:59 -0400 Try The Cardinal Instrument Co., based in Mt. Laurel, NJ (856-778-3110). They are working on a system for us that may meet your needs. Chris Bode Rhone-Poulenc Rorer > ---------- > From: Bob Dougherty[SMTP:bdougher@SPAMFOIL.inspirepharm.com] > Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 3:23 PM > To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org > Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Serial dilution workstations > > We are in the market for a 96-well serial dilutilon workstation (something > similiar to the SerialMate). Ideally the unit would be capable of > unattended operation. We need low (i.e., 2 - 5) microliter accuracy for > pipetting DMSO solutions. Any help would be appreciated. > > Regards, > > Bob Dougherty > Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. > From: Bill Lindley Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Serial dilution workstations Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 11:01:22 -0400 Bob, Please call me to discuss the details of your serial dilution needs. LEAP Technologies might have a solution. My phone number is (919) 929-8814. Bill Lindley Southeast Reg. Sales Mgr. LEAP Technologies From: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org (Lab-Robotics Discussion) Subject: Thank you for subscribing to Lab-Robotics Discussion Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 08:57:44 -0500 Thank you for subscribing to the Lab-Robotics Discussion mailing list. This message is sent once every 30 days to remind you of the commands which Arrow (our mailing list software) understands. When you reply to a message in a forum like this, it is generally considered "netiquette" to trim the original message down to just theportion you are replying to (if possible). Also, if you are replying to a string of messages, the same principle applies. The aim is to reduce the clutter for the other list members while preserving the sense of the message. When you post to the list, you may receive back some autoreplies from other list members email systems. This happens because some mail systems incorrectly use the "From:" heading instead of the "Reply To:" heading for autoreplies. 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Andy Zaayenga Moderator, The Lab-Robotics Discussion Mailing List mailto:andy.zaayenga@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org web site: https://www.lab-robotics.org --- Age of List in Days 383 Number of Subscribers 780 Total Number of Messages Posted to List 977 Average Number of Messages Posted Per Day 2 From: "Kinkaid, Adrian" Subject: Plate Washer Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 16:30:32 +0100 Dear All, I am looking for a plate washer to go onto our Scitec integrated HTS system. It should be compatible with both 96 and 384 well formats and of course must be automatable. I would be happy with either a quadrant offset or two separate heads, but would prefer the latter for throughput's sake. Can anyone offer me the benefit of their experience with plate washers and recommend suitable models? Thanks in advance, Adrian Kinkaid HTS Project Leader Celltech Chiroscience From: Paul_B_Taylor@SPAMFOIL.sbphrd.com Subject: Re: Lab-Robotics Discussion: Plate Washer Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 14:38:45 -0400 Adrian: We've used both a Biotek 404 for 96 and a Skatron Embla 384. More recently we've been using a Biotek ELx405 on a core system for doing both densities. All have worked fine if cleaned routinely after use. On the whole our experiences have been better with the Biotek instruments. Paul Taylor Investigator SmithKline Beecham R&D Dear All, I am looking for a plate washer to go onto our Scitec integrated HTS system. It should be compatible with both 96 and 384 well formats and of course must be automatable. I would be happy with either a quadrant offset or two separate heads, but would prefer the latter for throughput's sake. Can anyone offer me the benefit of their experience with plate washers and recommend suitable models? Thanks in advance, Adrian Kinkaid HTS Project Leader Celltech Chiroscience --- Lab-Robotics Discussion To be removed from this list, please send an e-mail message to discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org with just UNSUBSCRIBE as the subject. Alternatively, click on this link mailto:discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org?subject=unsubscribe From: "Fermier, Adam [PRI]" Subject: 96 well concentrator Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 08:36:41 -0400 Hello, I am fraction collecting peaks eluting from a chromatographic separation into a 96 well plate. I need to concentrate these samples (i.e., evaporate off 95% of solvent). I have seen an instrument that purges nitrogen into the wells, however do not recall the manufacturer. I am interested in hearing about problems associated with product absorption to walls allowing only qualitative data on subsequent analyses - if that is even a problem. Thanks and have a great day! Adam Fermier RWJ-PRI From: "Kunysz, Lisa {HIGH~Palo Alto}" Subject: RE: Lab-Robotics Discussion: 96 well concentrator Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 09:12:56 -0700 Apricot Designs has a 96 channel evaporator ... http://www.apricotdesigns.com/html/spe_products.html Lisa Kunysz New Leads Discovery Neurobiology Unit Roche, Palo Alto > -----Original Message----- > From: Fermier, Adam [PRI] [SMTP:AFermier@SPAMFOIL.prius.jnj.com] > Sent: Monday, October 25, 1999 5:37 AM > To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org > Subject: Lab-Robotics Discussion: 96 well concentrator > > --------------------- > Lab-Robotics Discussion > --------------------- > Hello, > > I am fraction collecting peaks eluting from a chromatographic separation > into a 96 well plate. I need to concentrate these samples (i.e., > evaporate off 95% of solvent). I have seen an instrument that purges nitrogen into > the wells, however do not recall the manufacturer. > > I am interested in hearing about problems associated with product > absorption to walls allowing only qualitative data on subsequent analyses - if that > is even a problem. > > Thanks and have a great day! > > Adam Fermier > RWJ-PRI >