Plate Stamping: Precision, Speed and Repeatability
Life science research demands precision and repeatability to generate high-quality data. It also often requires large numbers of samples, frequently handled in 96-well plates. The microPro 300 helps labs work quickly and consistently when stamping liquids across 96 wells.
What is plate stamping?
The 96-well plate is a mainstay of research applications across many biological fields. From molecular biology, to microbiology, to drug discovery - low volume assays, experiments, microbiology, and cell culture are often performed in 96 wells. These plates allow researchers to work with large sample numbers efficiently.
The protocols associated with these activities sometimes require that the same reagent be pipetted into all 96 wells from a reservoir. However, it is common for wells on the same plate to contain unique samples. Sometimes it is necessary to transfer the contents of one 96-well plate to another without mixing or cross-contaminating the wells. The process of transferring one plate’s contents to another while maintaining the same well configuration is commonly called stamping.
Common concerns when plate stamping
Stamping the contents of one plate into another seems simple enough, but when the process is performed by hand, it can require a great deal of focus and concentration from a researcher. When using a single or multichannel pipette, one must keep track of which wells are being transferred and ensure that they match on the new plate. When stamping a small volume into another liquid, it can often be difficult to visually discern which wells have already been stamped. Further, accidentally touching the wrong wells with the pipette tips can contaminate samples and lead to inaccurate results. Finally, it is time-consuming to pipette well by well across 96 wells.
A streamlined solution for plate stamping
Avidien’s microPro 300 96-channel pipettor offers a simple solution to reduce protocol times while increasing stamping accuracy. The instrument enables researchers to transfer all 96 wells at once, eliminating operator error from the equation. The risks of cross-contamination and incorrectly pipetted wells are eliminated, as stamping an entire plate becomes two simple steps:
Pull samples from plate one
Dispense into plate two
Researchers are able to save time and focus for more important tasks, while also increasing experimental accuracy and consistency.
“At the Elias lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we use our Avidien microPro to stamp plates during an assay that tests serum for micro RNA. These micro RNA may be able to detect ovarian cancer at much earlier stages than we currently do, and we are working on 10,000 patient samples to help validate this technique. The microPro greatly streamlines our workflow and cuts down on at least 2 hours of bench time during our rinse steps and rehybridization steps. It is user-friendly and very easy to program, which were particularly important features we looked for when choosing where to buy this equipment.”
Essential support for 96-well experiments
The microPro’s benefits extend beyond stamping to help streamline every aspect of your 96-well protocols. 96 channels deliver volume consistency across and between plates, for reproducible results every time. Tip changes are easy, with a nested system that supports rapid changes during protocols. Every parameter from dispensing speed to tip height can be customized to suit your protocol’s unique needs and ensure compatibility with any 96-well plate or reservoir.
The microPro was designed with lab work in mind, so the instrument’s small footprint, portable size, and simple controls allow easy use anywhere in your laboratory, from the bench to the hood. The microPro’s intuitive iPad interface offers customizable protocol entry, to help ensure no steps are missed, pipetting or otherwise.
Test Drive the microPro 300 in your lab
Are you curious how the consistency and accuracy of the microPro 300 could improve your 96-well protocols? Request a Free Trial and see firsthand how you can utilize Avidien’s liquid handling technology to enjoy streamlined stamping in your lab.