Nanoliter Scale High-Throughput Protein Crystallography Screening with the Echo® Liquid Handler

23 Apr 2013

This application note demonstrates how the Echo liquid handler enables protein crystal formation with sitting drop volumes as small as 50 nL. Nanoliter volumes of protein and crystallography reagents can be transferred into sitting drop wells of crystallography plates. Precise and accurate drop placement eliminates cross contamination and ensures drop-on-drop placement for blending protein and crystallography solutions. Precise transfer of reagents ensures repeatable crystallization trials.

Echo® 555 Liquid Handler

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

Echo® 555 liquid handler - the world's fastest acoustic dispensing platform for life science applications. The Echo® 555 liquid handler is the world’s fastest acoustic liquid handling platform for life science applications. Laboratories that demand very high throughput rely upon the Echo 555 liquid handler for round-the-clock trouble-free operation to enable the fastest discovery.The Echo 555 doubles the throughput of the Echo 550 and provides transfers from as many as 660,000 wells per day. Like the Echo 520 and Echo 550 liquid handlers, the Echo 555 uses "touchless" ADE transfer technology. ADE uses sound energy to transfer 2.5 nL droplets from Echo-qualified 384- and 1536-well source plates into 96-, 384-, 1536- and 3456-well destination plates.This unique touchless technology eliminates consumable tip costs, washing, and cross-contamination. Unsurpassed volumetric precision (≤ 8% CV) and accuracy (≤ 10% CV) ensure superior results. Independent studies have shown that Echo liquid handlers eliminate false negatives due to sample loss on tip surfaces in low-concentration transfers. Like the Echo 550 liquid handler, the Echo 555 liquid handler reports both fluid volume and DMSO hydration.Echo® 555 Liquid Handler Features: Tipless transfer, resulting in dramatic cost savings Accurate, precise movement of nanoliter-scale quantities, enabling assay miniaturization and further reducing costs Elimination of cross-contamination, carryover or leachates Better results through direct dilution of compounds, an improvement over serial dilution methods Improved information about sample integrity and improved transfer quality through measurement of DMSO hydration level Applications: Compound management Compound screening siRNA screening Biochemical assays Cell-based assays PCR Genotyping Gene expression

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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.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.CrystallizationLiquid Handling WorkstationLiquid handling workstations automate the process of sample preparation, improving accuracy and efficiency. These systems are essential for high-throughput applications in biological, chemical, and pharmaceutical research, reducing human error and increasing reproducibility. Workstations come equipped with robotic arms, pipetting tools, and other accessories to streamline lab workflows. Explore liquid handling workstations in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.