Agilent Automation Solutions has announced its BioCel System, an automated platform that combines robotics with VWorks Automation Control software to deliver integrated and customizable processing for medium- and high-throughput cell-based screening applications. The system is expandable and offered in a range of sizes combining multiple units. It is capable of automating single-process to complex multiprocess applications, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Fluorometric Imaging Plate Readers (FLIPRs), fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), stem cell assays, and cell line maintenance. A drag-and-drop scheduler supports multiple plate formats and labware, multiple protocols, and linear and parallel process flows. An expandable architecture accommodates additional modules and third-party devices. Agilent Automation Solutions has also introduced a microplate labeling system for automated on-demand, barcode print-and-apply applications. The new labeler combines the form factor, speed, and label applicator of its predecessor with a thermal label printer that provides 600-dpi high resolution and an array of 1D and 2D-coding symbologies. When integrated into automated systems, the labeler is powered by VWorks software. The software enables the user to apply individual sets of data to labels on all 4 sides of a microplate. As a standalone instrument, the labeler can be operated using the included PlateTag software and may be integrated into third-party systems via the included ActiveX control and RS-232 serial or RJ45 Ethernet ports. For very high-throughput labeling, the labeler can be integrated with the Agilent BenchCel Microplate Handler. For more information, visit www.chem.agilent.com/en-US/Products/Instruments/automation. Artel has developed functionality for the ARTEL MVS® Multichannel Verification System to verify volumes of glycerol, ethanol, and DMSO transferred from an automated liquid handling system or a handheld pipette to a microplate. The MVS® functions within a volume range of 100 nL to 50 μL and provides automatic reporting of volume statistics. It can be fully integrated into existing automated quality control protocols. The MVS® incorporates ratiometric photometry, a technology that uses the absorbance values of 2 dye solutions to calculate dispensed volume in each well of a microplate. The system is portable and compatible with 96-well and 384-well microplates and can verify automated liquid handlers with 1 to 384 dispensing tips. For more information, visit www.artel-usa.com. Biotek Instruments has introduced the ELx405 Magnetic Bead Washer, which offers biomagnetic separation in both 384-well and 96-well microplates using a high-energy neodymium iron boron magnet. The specialized magnet may be removed to accommodate other microplate-based assay protocols. The ELx405 Magnetic Bead Washer incorporates many of the same features as the ELx405™ Microplate Washer. The manifold provides independent control of aspiration and dispense tubes and reduces or eliminates clogged manifold tubes. Optional automatic buffer switching of up to 4 wash buffers is available. For unattended operation and throughput up to standard 50 microplates, the washer may be integrated with BioTek’s BioStack™ Microplate Stacker. For more information, visit www.biotek.com. Fluidigm Europe has introduced its new 48.770 Digital Array chip, an integrated fluidic circuit (IFC). This IFC is capable of testing up to 48 individual samples at a time and automatically partitioning each sample into separate sets of 770 reaction chambers for a total of 36,960 simultaneous digital PCR reactions (digital PCR is a technique to quantify the amount of nucleic acid in a sample by counting amplifications from single molecules). The digital array chip can be used with Fluidigm’s SlingShot™ kit for next-generation DNA sequencing. It is part of a system for genetic analysis that is compatible with off-the-shelf reagents and standard microwell format dispensing layouts. For more information, visit www.fluidigm.com. Hamilton Company has introduced the DeCapper—an automated instrument for the opening and closing of screw-capped tubes. The programmable DeCapper opens a row of 12 tubes simultaneously. It operates from outside to inside rows to help reduce the possibility of drip contamination. Built-in torque monitoring helps ensure a consistent seal and reports the location in the event a tube is not completely sealed. After removal, the caps are placed on a separate, removable cap holder, which enables batch processing. For more information, visit www.hamiltoncompany.com. Matrical has launched the Vial Weighing Station, a module that offers a single vial capture mechanism to weigh up to 210 g of liquid, solids, or powders. This station includes interchangeable adapters to allow for different size vials (2 mL, 8 mL, 20 mL, etc.). It may be integrated into the reformatting module of Matrical’s Ministore automated sample storage, management, and retrieval system or the AutoMAP Automated Assay Platform. This module enables vials to be weighed as they are processed in either system, and the data are correlated with initial tare weight. When used within these systems, this Sartorius weigh cell is automatically calibrated. For more information, visit www.matrical.com. Micronic Europe BV has announced a new Automatic Tube Decapper. The Automatic Tube Decapper rapidly removes and disposes of the caps from a full 96-tube rack. It reduces the possibility of sample cross-contamination with an integrated cap disposal device to help ensure that caps are not reused. The decapper can be used as a standalone instrument or integrated into a fully automated environment, and it is compatible with most brands of coded tube racks and capping products. For further information, visit MicronicNA@cs.com. The Automation Partnership (TAP) has announced its Coda™ high-throughput automated nanoliter assay plate production system. The system integrates up to 3 Labcyte Echo® 555 liquid handlers into a compound management workflow to enable the production of up to three hundred 384-well plates (at 5-nL sample volume). Coda™ can also have labeling and plate sealing modules integrated, as well as using PlateSafes or plate hotels for compound tracking and plate storage. When coupled with relevant modules of TAP’s Concerto Sample Management Software, Coda™ can generate a range of output plate formats. The Automation Partnership (TAP) has also announced its Advanced Micro-scale BioReactor (ambr) technology. ambr mimics the physical characteristics of classical bioreactors at micro-scale (10-15 mL) using disposable reactor cartridges. The system enables evaluation of multiple bioreactor cultures. The workstation automates the operation of 24 disposable plastic bioreactors with a 10- to 15-mL working volume, providing individual closed-loop control of dissolved O2 and pH and a supply of CO2, N2, and O2. The bioreactors are arranged as 2 sets of 12, each supplied with independent stirring and temperature control. The system automates culture setup and inoculation, the addition of alkalis and feeds, and media sampling during the run for cell count and other analysis. For additional information, visit www.automationpartnership.com. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. has announced the new Thermo Scientific Orbitor RS. The high-speed microplate mover offers flexible plate handling: its vertical reach allows the loading of multiple stacked or high-density instruments, and a bidirectional telescoping arm provides unlimited base rotations within a 360-degree workspace. The device accommodates many plate formats that meet the Standards ANSI/SBS 1-2004 through ANSI/SBS 4-2004, from shallow to deep well. For more information, visit www.thermofisher.com. Zinsser Analytic has introduced the Calli-L platform, which automates the distribution of solid library samples, their controlled dissolution, and the final preparation of assay plates for biological assays. Depending on the required throughput, these steps can be set up on a single workbench or on 2 or 3 integrated workbench systems. The system uses new powder dispensing technology that reads and compares the sample barcode with that stored in the in-house database, extracts the required distribution data, decaps the library vial prior to solid sampling, and dispenses the resulting sample into the dissolution vial. The database is subsequently updated with the final weight of the library and dissolution vial before both are recapped. Sensitive samples can be processed under an argon shield. Eight independent probes are used to add DMSO or other solvents simultaneously with argon, at a volume to provide a set sample concentration. Batches of 96,192 or 384 samples are dissolved using vortexers under an argon shield. A dissolution check decides whether any additional sample treatment is necessary (e.g., sonication). When the dissolution is complete, the samples are dispensed under argon into assay, mother, and storage plates. For more information, visit www.zinsser-analytic.com. We invite companies to submit product information for the Journal of Biomolecular Screening Product Focus section. While every effort is made to include as many product announcements as possible, the editors reserve the right to select the products they deem most appropriate for the section and may revise copy as necessary.To submit your product information for consideration, please provide:1)B&W photo (see requirements below)2)Product description (75 words maximum) (see requirements below)3)Contact information (toll-free and local telephone numbers, e-mail address, Web site address)2010 Product Focus CalendarTabled 1IssueSubmission DeadlineTheme for Product Focus SectionFebruaryNovember 1Microplates, Assay Reagents, Screening Consumables, and KitsMarchDecember 1Software, Databases, and Information ServicesAprilJanuary 1Analytical and Preparative InstrumentationJuneMarch 1High-Content Screening and Imaging: Instrumentation, Analysis, and ApplicationsJulyApril 1Screening Robotics and AutomationAugustMay 1Microplates, Assay Reagents, Screening Consumables, and KitsSeptemberJune 1Software, Databases, and Information ServicesOctoberJuly 1Analytical and Preparative InstrumentationDecemberSeptember 1Outsourcing and Contract Services Open table in a new tab Address for submissions:David RomanProduct Focus Section, JBSSociety for Biomolecular Sciences36 Tamarack AvenueSuite 348Danbury, CT 06811e-mail: email@sbsonline.orgLimit 1 photo/press release per companyTo be considered, photo and description must be in one of the following formats:Electronic submission:Photos: Minimum Resolution 300 dpiProduct Description and Contact Information: MS Word or other word processing applicationFormat: CD-ROM or e-mail We invite companies to submit product information for the Journal of Biomolecular Screening Product Focus section. While every effort is made to include as many product announcements as possible, the editors reserve the right to select the products they deem most appropriate for the section and may revise copy as necessary. To submit your product information for consideration, please provide:1)B&W photo (see requirements below)2)Product description (75 words maximum) (see requirements below)3)Contact information (toll-free and local telephone numbers, e-mail address, Web site address) 2010 Product Focus Calendar Tabled 1IssueSubmission DeadlineTheme for Product Focus SectionFebruaryNovember 1Microplates, Assay Reagents, Screening Consumables, and KitsMarchDecember 1Software, Databases, and Information ServicesAprilJanuary 1Analytical and Preparative InstrumentationJuneMarch 1High-Content Screening and Imaging: Instrumentation, Analysis, and ApplicationsJulyApril 1Screening Robotics and AutomationAugustMay 1Microplates, Assay Reagents, Screening Consumables, and KitsSeptemberJune 1Software, Databases, and Information ServicesOctoberJuly 1Analytical and Preparative InstrumentationDecemberSeptember 1Outsourcing and Contract Services Open table in a new tab Address for submissions:David RomanProduct Focus Section, JBSSociety for Biomolecular Sciences36 Tamarack AvenueSuite 348Danbury, CT 06811e-mail: email@sbsonline.org Limit 1 photo/press release per company To be considered, photo and description must be in one of the following formats: Electronic submission:Photos: Minimum Resolution 300 dpiProduct Description and Contact Information: MS Word or other word processing applicationFormat: CD-ROM or e-mail Product descriptions are based on information provided by the manufacturer. Inclusion in this section in no way implies endorsement by the Journal of Biomolecular Screening or the Society for Biomolecular Sciences. When referencing microplate standards – Because SBS is not a standardizing association, but an association that provides Special Interest Groups the ability and platform to standardize along with ANSI (the American National Standards Institute), in the event that the ANSI/SBS Microplate Standards are to be used in advertisements, product releases, or abstracts, the standards must be referred by: ANSI/SBS 1-2004: Microplates - Footprint Dimensions ANSI/SBS 2-2004: Microplates - Height Dimensions ANSI/SBS 3-2004: Microplates - Bottom Outside Flange Dimensions ANSI/SBS 4-2004: Microplates - Well Positions (Either singularly, or as a whole) If in dire circumstances spacing is a major issue, the only other verbiage that will be allowed is: Meets the Standards ANSI/SBS 1-2004 through ANSI/SBS 4-2004.