Thermo Fisher Scientific Collaboration Delivers Automated Nanoliter Hit-picking Platform

The Thermo Scientific RapidStak and TTP LabTech mosquito X1 are integrated to offer true “walk away” operation

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced a new efficient, high-throughput platform for hit-picking of compounds for secondary screening. The solution, developed in collaboration with TTP LabTech for BioFocus, integrates the Thermo Scientific RapidStak microplate mover and the TTP LabTech mosquito® X1 nanoliter pipettor to provide exceptional high-speed plate handling and precision, low-volume sampling from high-density formats.

Millions of data points are generated by high-throughput screens, yet only a small percentage are identified as active compounds, requiring consolidation for further “hit to lead” or secondary screening.

“Because hit rates are often very low, it is necessary to process high volumes of plates, and manual or semi-automated set-ups cannot deliver the throughput required,” said Hansjoerg Haas, product line director, Laboratory Automation, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We have worked with TTP LabTech to integrate the renowned mosquito and RapidStak technologies to develop a fully automated solution for BioFocus that offers true walk-away capabilities.”

“Hit-picking systems must be able to quickly and efficiently address individual wells in high-density format while avoiding cross contamination,” said Joby Jenkins, product manager, TTP LabTech. “Using disposable micropipettes, the mosquito X1 provides precision sampling from any individual well in any plate, and the accurate delivery of compounds in nanoliter volumes negates the need for a further dilution step prior to secondary screening. Coupling this technology with the Thermo Scientific automated microplate handler for rapid plate delivery and manipulation has enabled throughput to be significantly increased.”

The fully automated hit-picking platform is controlled by the mosquito CherryPicker software. This will convert a CSV file of transfers (pick lists) from a laboratory information management system into an optimized protocol for the mosquito X1 and RapidStak before managing the run. Barcoded plates can be stacked in any order in the RapidStak, utilizing unique buffer nest technology that allows for the high-speed, parallel processing of stacking and plate loading.

As a plate is loaded, the barcode is read and the correct transfers for that plate are carried out. CherryPicker automatically optimizes all mosquito protocols for efficient tip usage and optimal dispense heights, and, if required, it can also track the source plate volumes for subsequent reporting. Furthermore, a multi-dispense option can dispense into multiple wells or wells within multiple plates from a single aspiration, offering significant time-saving benefits.

For more information about the Thermo Scientific RapidStak, please visit www.thermoscientific.com/rapidstak

For more information about the TTP LabTech mosquito X1, please visit www.ttplabtech.com

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenues of nearly $11 billion, we have approximately 37,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, which offer a unique combination of continuous technology development and the most convenient purchasing options. Our products and services help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, and solve analytical challenges ranging from complex research to routine testing to field applications. Visit www.thermofisher.com

About TTP LabTech
Based near Cambridge, UK, TTP LabTech supplies laboratory instrumentation for the healthcare, biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. TTP LabTech’s products are designed to increase efficiency, effectiveness, flexibility or overall capability in key biopharmaceutical research processes including compound storage (comPOUND®), low volume liquid handling (mosquito®), high content screening (Acumen®), antibody discovery (Mirrorball®) and sample analysis management (LAB2LAB). www.ttplabtech.com

About BioFocus
BioFocus aims to expand its partners’ drug pipelines by accelerating the gene-to-drug candidate discovery process. This is achieved through a comprehensive discovery platform, which includes target discovery in human primary cells, focused as well as diverse compound libraries, in vitro and cell-based screening, structural biology, medicinal chemistry, ADME/PK services, supported by unique chemogenomic and informatics tools, and compound library acquisition, storage and distribution services. As a service division of Galapagos, BioFocus has over 245 employees in four countries worldwide. For more information visit www.biofocus.com

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Media Contact Information:
Clare Jones
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Secondary Contact Information:
Jeanette Minshall
+1 905 332 2000 ext 319
jeanette.minshall@thermofisher.com

This release was published on openPR.