Reagent savings of several thousand euros per year are possible by using Eppendorf's epMotion precise, automated pipetting system to dramatically reduce real-time PCR setup volumes.
Real-time PCR analysis is expensive, due to the high cost of reagents, but epMotion enables real-time PCR set-up volumes to be reduced to 10µl or less.
The scale of the potential savings on reagent costs from using epMotion, can be demonstrated using Eppendorf's on-line cost-savings calculator, at www.save-reagents.com. Users simply enter the price of their PCR reagents, the number of samples per reagent package, their current set-up volume and the number of reactions carried out per week. The annual savings that would be made by reducing reaction volumes to 10µl are then automatically calculated.
'Annual savings on reagent costs in a busy laboratory can easily be several thousand pounds,' Holger Eggert, epMotion product manager, points out. 'Typically, the cost of the epMotion is paid for within a year, based on performing 96 real-time PCR reactions each day.'
The epMotion workstation offers other benefits, the company says. Automated pipetting and dispensing enhances the speed and reproducibility of results and eliminates the errors associated with repetitive manual pipetting tasks. The modular design, extensive range of system accessories and intuitive software make it simple to automate any liquid-handling operation.
