Robot Integration Increases Access and Flexibility for Hamilton’s MICROLAB® STAR Automated Liquid Handling Workstation

21 Jan 2011
Sarah Sarah
Marketing / Sales

Product news

Hamilton Robotics announces collaboration with Peak Robotics, Inc. to integrate the KiNEDx robot series with Hamilton’s MICROLAB® STAR automated liquid handling workstation. The dexterity of the fast KiNEDx robot enables access to deck positions and devices that cannot be reached with traditional labware grippers and even allows the plates to be tilted and flipped, for resuspension or shaking. This makes it ideal applications include sample preparation, protein crystallization and ELISAs.

New software drivers allow the Hamilton MICROLAB VENUS software to control the KiNEDx arm by calling functions or through preprogrammed moves, and the user can easily make movement changes.

“We are pleased to partner with Hamilton Robotics to offer a wide range of automation solutions for customers in drug discovery, genomics and clinical diagnostics,” commented Steve Cowles, business development manager for Peak Robotics. “Hamilton’s extensive sales and distribution channels will expand our opportunities, particularly in Asia.”

“This collaboration allows us to offer additional flexibility to our STAR customers,” commented Scott Eaton, director of clinical and international sales for Hamilton Robotics. “The KiNEDx robot offers an impressive range of advanced functionality and is easy to program.”

Peak Robotics manufactures robots and peripherals for life-science and medical-diagnostic applications. The company combines world-class engineering with state-of-the-art manufacturing to produce standard and special OEM products for its customers throughout the world.

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ELISAEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), also known as enzyme immunoassays (EIA), are used for the detection and quantification of proteins, peptides and antibodies in a sample. ELISA often comes in kit format, with pre-selected antibody pairs to detect specific proteins or biomarkers of diseases such as diabetes and obesity, or cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Detection is made possible with chemiluminescent, fluorescent or colorimetric substrates and detection instruments such as microplate / ELISA readers. Other kits available include: Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays for the quantification of protein-producing cells and chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIA) kits. Find the best ELISA kits and products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Protein CrystallographyProtein crystallization is the process of crystallizing purified proteins for 3D structure analysis by x-ray crystallography. The main methods of protein crystallization include sitting drop, hanging drop and microbatch. It is important to control parameters such as pH, temperature and concentration. Following crystallization, detectors and software are used for data collection and analysis.Robotic InstrumentsRobotic instruments can be used for high-throughput automation of many lab processes. Such processes use instruments for assays like cell based assays and ELISA, for sample preparation like shakers, centrifuges and incubators, and for analysis such as sequencing and western blot analyzers. Useful features of robotic instruments include speed, reproducibility, barcode readers, software and automation.Robotic WorkstationsRobotic workstations are automated platforms enabling the user to perform high-throughput, multi-application processes, from sample preparation tasks such as PCR set-up, DNA purification and NGS library preparation, to integrated sample prep and analysis workstations. Automation makes processes consistent, fast, precise and fully walk-away. Find the best robotic workstations in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Plate ProcessingAutomated plate processing is used in microplate technologies for high-throughput, speed and efficiency. Plate processing systems include microplate handlers for moving plates, heat sealers, stackers and carousels for storage, retrieval and delivery, microplate washers and piercers. Useful features of plate processors include walk-away automation, compatibility and easy integration with microplate systems.Automated Liquid HandlingAutomated liquid handling equipment is used to mix, dilute and dispense allotted volumes of liquid into microplates and other vessels automatically. The robotic, liquid handling arms can dispense from single channel to 3456 multichannel as well as operate nanoliter dispensing, enabling high throughput of samples. Find the best automated liquid handlers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.