Total system integration is the key. The RapidPick ACIS brings together multiple instruments in a cost effective and scalable manner. As a result, we have been able to automate several time-consuming steps that have typically been performed manually or off-line due to cost, complexity and other considerations. The RapidPick ACIS allows the user to create a streamlined process for all the instruments to work together, reducing the time required for the process.

How the process works.

The process begins with dispensing bacteria into a barcoded NUNC Omnitray containing agar and an antibiotic. Glass beads are added, the plate ‘swirled’ and the beads are decanted. The cover is then put on the NUNC Omnitray and stacked. Once all the plates are finished they are placed in the stacker. The software starts the first step in the method by bringing the plates to the barcode reader, recording the plate ID, then bringing the lidded plate to the landing station of the orbital shaking incubator located under the deck of the RapidPick System. The process continues until all plates are loaded into the incubator. The incubator maintains temperature and environment for approximately 16 hours. At a designated time before the incubation time ends, an alert is sent to the user to get ready for the next steps.

The user loads a bottle of media and a wash solution to the Micro10x™ and loads the destination plates, either 96 deep well blocks, 96 well plates or 384 well plates. The system begins to operate just before the plates are ready to leave the incubator. The PlateCrane EX™ brings a plate from the stack to the Micro10x. The lid is removed and put into a holding nest; the plate is filled with media and then delivered to the destination side of the colony picker. The colony plates exit the incubator and The PlateCrane transports them to the source side of the RapidPick™ colony picker. The lid is removed and placed into a holding nest. The systems reads and records the barcodes for both source and destination plates. The most suitable colonies are then selected with user-defined criteria for shape, size, contrast and closeness to nearby colonies. Selected colonies are picked and transferred to the destination plate. Sterilization is done with direct heat to the tungsten pins.

A unique feature of the RapidPick ACIS is the inclusion of an integrated Micro10X dispenser with auto-prime and auto-rinse features. The Micro10x will automatically fill the plates with fresh media on the fly immediately before inoculation, saving you valuable time. This not only limits the potential for contamination, but also automates the tedious and time-consuming process of manually pre-filling the plates. The auto-prime feature keeps the Micro10x primed and ready during long runs and the auto-rinse feature eliminates the problem of clogged tips and tubing if the unit isn’t rinsed after a run. High throughput runs are possible because the attached PlateCrane EX robotic arm with stacks is able to store and manage multiple microplates in a single run.

The robotic arm retrieves the colony plates from the incubator one at a time. Each time it removes a colony plate from the incubator, it also removes an empty growth plate from a stack and fills it with fresh media, preparing it to receive a colony that has been selected for inoculation.

The integrated process continues.

After inoculation, SoftLinx™ scheduling software executes the method in reverse order, having the PlateCrane return the colony plate to the stack and deliver the inoculated plate into the incubator. The orbital shaking starts with the first plate entering the incubator. The shaking is paused, only then the automated system is moving a plate within the incubator.

After the growth plates have been in the incubator overnight, they are either removed by the robotic arm and transferred to liquid handling equipment for assay and analysis or manually removed. Because the PlateCrane EX robotic arm is controlled by SoftLinx software, which easily integrates with over 200 different instruments from a variety of manufacturers, advanced automation of the next steps in the assay is easily accomplished.

Thoroughly tested and proven.

The fully automated RapidPick ACIS, an extension of our full line of RapidPick colony-picking workcells, is currently in use by a leading Massachusetts-based cancer research institute, where it is working precisely as designed. They are very satisfied with the system because it has reduced the turnaround time from initial sample and colony plate preparation to isolation and growth of pure, non-mutated bacteria. Because all the components of the system are compatible and fully integrated, laboratory personnel no longer need to manually fill growth plates with fresh media, a tedious and time-consuming activity. Nor do they need to manually load and unload the orbital shaking incubator.

The capability of the RapidPick ACIS can be enhanced even further through the use of accessories such as an automated RSH-4000 adhesive sealer, which is ideal for applying gas permeable seals to any SBS footprint microplate regardless of well density or height. The system also integrates easily with the PA1000 barcode print-and-apply systems from Hudson Robotics.

This fully automated system is another example of how Hudson Robotics helps our clients increase productivity through laboratory automation. By anticipating and satisfying your needs, we continue to help you stay ahead of the curve.

For more information or to arrange a demonstration of the RapidPick ACIS in your laboratory, please contact Joe Eckert at 973-376-7400 or jeckert@hudsonrobotics.com.

Hudson Control Group recently announced the addition of Wagner Medical and Pharmaceutical to handle sales in continental Europe.  The extensive experience of Jürgen and Ingrid Wagner will enable Hudson Control  Group to react faster to their customers lab automation needs with customized solutions.  “Hudson Control Group is the leader in microplate automation, while also providing the most advanced, yet rugged robotic technology available to research laboratories.” notes Phil Farrelly, President of Hudson Control Group. “We are excited to have the Wagner’s represent Hudson and are looking forward to their strong market relationships and experience furthering our sales efforts in Europe”.

Located in Springfield, New Jersey, Hudson Control Group is a leader in microplate automation, robotics and customized software-driven solutions. The company works with customers in the drug discovery, high throughput screening, proteomics and genomics markets to develop strategies that best meet their unique needs, whether for an integrated system of automated laboratory equipment or for automating a single instrument.

Hudson Robotics is pleased to announce major expansion plans for the company.  The company is currently setting up numerous new distributors in Europe and Asia as well as expanding exposure to these markets through advertising and local tradeshows. Our easy-to-use, robust workcell solutions are gaining interest in many of the midsize labs in Europe that want more automation but not the complexity of running a very large system.

The company is also expanding internally.  With a goal of 1 new hire per month for 2011 Hudson is continuously adding new expertise and talent to the team.

News You Can Use

Are you working with dried blood spots?   Do you need a better solution to a hand punch or ineffective automated system?  No matter your application, research or clinical; high throughput or a few hundred, you need a reliable system that actually gets the spots into the wells and software that lets you know what went where.  Hudson’s patented DBS – Dried Blood Spot Punch System is the only system that pushes the spot into the well of the receiving microplate.  The patented plunger system eliminates guess work, static problems and possible contamination from blowing air all over the destination plate.  Two (2) barcode readers track the sample card and the microplate.  Easy to use software keeps track of the plate wells.  Simple, fast and reliable and surprisingly affordable the Hudson DBS is the best choice for your dried blood sample processing. Click on Hudson DBS for more information.

The only solution for fully automated colony growth and isolation is now available.  Hudson Robotics is completing the testing of a new configuration for the RapidPick automated colony picker that allows for fully automated colony growth, picking and incubation.  This advanced colony picking system includes a Liconic STR44 automated incubator located under the table and a Hudson Micro10X media dispenser in addition to the colony picker, PlateCrane arm and stackers.  The new configuration allows users to grow colonies in the incubator, automatically bring them to the picker, bring empty destination plates to the Micro10x, fill the plates with media, pick colonies according to the user’s criteria, the inoculated plates are sent to the incubator and the picked plates are placed in the stackers.  The entire system runs unattended and can process from 1000 to 10,000 colonies depending on the inoculation scheme.  Click on Hudson RapidPick System for more information on the full line of RapidPick Colony Picking Systems.

Congratulations to  

Shastine Keeney of Genentech.   

Shastine is the winner of our Lab Automation 2011 drawing for a new iPad!

Multi-Company Collaboration on Scalable, Automated ELISA Workstations

Hudson recently began a collaboration with BMG LabTech, LifeTechnologies (invitrogen), and Corning to develop several workstations that support ELISA assays on multi-plate scale down to single samples.  This information was presented at a joint workshop at LabAutomation 2011.

Insulin Receptor pY1334 ELISA kits were provided by Life Technologies (Invitrogen) and the results were read on the new BMG LabTech SPECTRAstar UV/VIS absorbance spectophotometer.

A key part of the ELISA assay is the series of reagent additions, followed by washes with buffer solution.  For large scale screening, these steps are carried out by the RapidWash and small scale experiments can be carried out completely on the deck of the Hudson SOLO pipettor.  This allows users to carry out ELISA assays on individual wells and not waste expensive bound antibody on unused portions of a plate.

For faster speeds, the Micro10x can be added to the workstation to add common reagents one row at a time; and the addition of the RapidWash maximizes the speed by allowing full plate washing.

2010: Record-Setting Year for Hudson

Phil Farrelly, President Hudson Robotics

This is our first email newsletter since the close of 2010, and we are really pleased to say that 2010 has been the best year in Hudson’s 28-year history.  We broke every previous record for total orders received, and the company has never been in better financial health.  We have expanded our sales organization to have truly national coverage, with a new in-house sales and customer support resources, an expanded service team and a dedicated marketing group.

Those of you who keep track of the life science research trade press will perhaps notice a greatly enlarged presence of Hudson in the advertising and new product areas.  After years of development, we finally have a product line which comprehensively addresses our customers’ unmet needs, and 2010′s strong sales results show this.  It is our goal to let the life science research community aware of the depth and breadth of solutions, large and small, that we can bring to their research.

Hudson’s objective for 2011 is to finally stop being “the best kept secret in lab automation”, as I’ve heard us called by a number of people, both customers and partners.  By the end of 2011, we aim to become “the best known secret in lab automation”.  As you might conclude from some of the stories in this edition of Hudson Horizons, we are beginning to do the things that will help us meet this goal, and we intend to even intensify our efforts to live up to our tag line of “Accelerating Life Sciences”.

Upcoming Trade Shows

LRIG Southeast, RTP, NC

March 9, 2011

Click Here for Details

17th SBS – Booth 425,

Orlando, FL

March 27 – 31, 2011

Click Here for Details

LRIG – NJ

May 17, 2011

Click Here for Details

European Lab Automation

Hamburg, Germany

June 30 – July 1, 2011

Click Here for Details