Services - Robotics

In order to support our other services, the facility has two multifunctional robotic platforms by Beckman Coulter: Biomek FX and Biomek 2000.

The Biomek 2000 can do anything you can do with a pipetman, but it can do it continuously, and more precisely. The Biomek 2000 has 12 positions on its deck for holding tips, as well as a variety of plates, tubes, and flluid reservoirs. The robot has the following pipetors: continual flow (for washing), P1000, P250, P20, P250 8-channel, P20 8-channel.

 

Sample List of Programs:
  • Set up PCR reactions in two 384-well plates.
  • Aliquot one tube to 96-well plate.
  • Setup DNA sequencing reactions in 96- or 384-well plates.

 

 

 

The Biomek FX is a complex liquid handler, but is also a biochemistry workstation. This robot has a 96-tip head for liquid handling and a set of gripper arms to move objects around its 20 position deck. In addition to places for tubes, tips, and fluid reservoirs the deck has (1) a vacuum manifold system for purifying and concentrating procedures, (2) a tip wash station to reduce costs, (3) two areas for incubating plates at 4 - 75C, and (4) a plate shaker.

 

Sample List of Programs:
  • Perform all SNPlex Protocols.
  • Purify plasmid from 96 bacterial cultures by Magnesil or Millipore kits.
  • Copy bacterial libraries.
  • Set up PCR reactions in eight 96-well plates simultaneously.
  • Purify PCR products in 96- or 384-well plates.
  • Analyze 96-PCR products or plasmids simultaneously by agarose electrophoresis.

 

 

 

 

The robots are primarily for supporting the services at the facility, but these liquid handling platforms can be used for functions other than those required by the Plant-Microbe Genomics Facility. So if you think they can be of use to your research, then please contact the facility about their capabilities.

Order Form [pdf file]