US-based Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc has launched a new dispensing tool that could change the way current instrumentation performs critical liquid handling tasks.
The system has been designed to enable nanolitre volume dispensing on Thermo Scientific Matriz automated systems. It has an internally molded capillary pocket that allows the transfer of 50-500 nL of concentrated sample compounds suspended in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) directly to assay plates. This procedure aims to make savings on time, reagents and labware, as well as improving data quality with in-tip mixing.
Through aspiration, the capillary pocket fills with the specified amount of compound solution and facilitates soft in-tip mixing of sample and assay material, removing time consuming intermediate dilution steps and adding further function to the existing instruments. Furthermore, the unique face seal of the D.A.R.T.s tip minimizes tip-to-tip height variations for consistent dispensing. This innovative pipetting method makes it possible to perform assays quicker, reduce reagent costs and prevent compound precipitation for more accurate and precise results.
The tips are suited to all secondary compound screening applications, such as selectivity assays, potency determinations, cell- and enzyme-based assays and PCR primer dilutions.