New Workstation Automates Microarray Sample Preparation for Gene Expression Studies

Beckman Coulter introduces the Biomek® 3000-ArrayPLEX Workstation – a robust, affordable RNA preparation solution for gene expression arrays.

This new workstation is an evolution of the higher throughput Biomek FX ArrayPLEX application, developed with Affymetrix for GeneChip* customers. That validated, proven automation technology is now offered in the smaller footprint Biomek 3000-based system. With built-in robustness that ensures high and clean yields, the new workstation is offered at a lower cost than other options on the market. The new Biomek 3000-ArrayPLEX Workstation, which includes validated methods, processes between one and 96 samples in a single run with minimal user intervention.

The Biomek 3000-ArrayPLEX Workstation works with a variety of chemistries and chips, in addition to GeneChips, and also has the flexibility to perform other nucleic acid preparation applications. The workstation solution incorporates the Agencourt® RNAClean™ kit, featuring magnetic bead technology for the cleanup of cDNA and cRNA. With RNAClean, the process is simplified and yields are higher with reduced sample-to-sample variability.

“The process of target preparation for gene expression analysis is time consuming and labour intensive,” explains David Daniels, Applications Marketing Manager for Beckman Coulter. “Through our work with Affymetrix and our acquisition of Agencourt, we have been able to optimize our automation technology for this advanced solution.”