Nitrogen robot

The three systems are not distinct entities but rather, represent a continuous evolution of hardware and software modifications over eight years. The system is vital to the operation of the laboratory, and it is not possible to have the nitrogen robot nonfunctional (for modification or repair) for more than one day. 

An automated log P workstation using a shake-flask method and robotic liquid handling in 96-well plate format is commercially available [30]. The system is equipped with a diode-array spectrophotometer and equimolar nitrogen detector. 

Prior to analysis, samples should be chopped and finely pulverized with iiquid nitrogen using a large Hobart (forage, hay, fodder and straw samples) or a Wiley mill (grain and seed samples). Recently, frozen crop matrices were processed more effectively with a Robot Coupe vertical cutter/mixer without liquid nitrogen. 

Figure 3 (A) Robot system for lipofection screening (A) Worktable with racks for microplates, buffer reservoirs, plastic, and glass vials. (B) Four tip liquid handling arm. (C) Gripper for transport of microplates and glass test tubes. (D) High power water bath sonicator. ( ) Nitrogen evaporator. (F) Microplate washer. (G) Absorbance reader. (H) Luminescence reader. (/) Transparent hood. (/) CO2 incubator with pneumatic door (from the rear, front view in B). (B) Self-constructed robotic conveyor for the transport of cell culture plates from the incubator to the worktable.

Robotic automation of total nitrogen determination by chemiluminescence 184... 

ROBOTIC AUTOMATION OF TOTAL NITROGEN DETERMINATION BY CHEMILUMINESCENCE... 

Fig. 6.9 System design of robotic automation of total nitrogen [29]. Reproduced with permission of Zymark Corporation.

Figure 12.2 SGX-CAT data acquisition station. The CCD detector and cryogenic sample handling robot appear in the foreground. The pump to deliver the liquid nitrogen that removes ice from the sample is located at the rear right.

SGX-CAT uses a unique system based on a small liquid nitrogen pump for a similar purpose. The pump controls delivery of a gentle stream of liquid nitrogen that is directed onto the surface of the sample after it has been positioned within the gaseous cryostream by the sample-changing robot. A phase... 

SOPHAS M (Figure 13.10) is an automatic modular solid-phase synthesizer based on a robotic system. Synthesis can be carried out in a variety of reaction vessels, such as 96-well microtiter plates, tubes, or vials. The vessels are mowed on the 1- or 1.2-m-length workbench in aluminum carriers (12 mm x 86 mm) by a robotic arm. The content of the reaction vessels is isolated from the atmosphere by a pierceable double seal. There are four independent pipetting probes on the synthesizer. Each probe has three independent channels. The channels allow the synthesizer to simultaneously aspirate and add washing solvents and nitrogen. 

The amino acid module performs the dissolution, activation, and delivery of amino adds to the synthesis cabinet. This is accomplished via a robotic arm with a probe attachment. Liquids can be dispensed or withdrawn from amino acid vials through the probe. In addition, nitrogen can be bubbled to aid in the dissolution of the amino acid. After each amino acid coupling the probe is thoroughly washed, both internally and externally, to eliminate cross contamination. The amino acid module can hold up to 72 anoino acids in three 24-position racks. A rack can be assigned to each colunm or all 72 can be used for single column synthesis. 

In 1992, ACT replaced the Model 350 with the Model 396 Multiple Biomolecular Synthesizer. This instrument possesses two robotic arms, a variable speed orbital mixer, nitrogen assisted bottom filtration, a built-in ventilation system, protocols for both Fmoc and Boc synthesis and fully automated on-board cleavage for the Fmoc syntheses. It has reactor blocks of 8, 16, 40, and 96 wells for the synthesis of peptides from 5 pmol to 1 mmol. The Model 396 MBS also has a heater/cooler option for applications in solid-phase organic synthesis. 

ACT introduced the 357 Flexible Biomolecular Synthesizer in 1993.The Model 357 FBS is also a two arm robotic system, with a reaction block that incorporates thirty six 9.0-mL reaction wells and a single 600-mL well. The larger vessel permits the spht and mix technique for the generation of peptide combinatorial libraries.The scale range is 5 to 250 pmol and 9 mmol for the 9.0-mL and 600-mL reactor, respectively. The Model 357 FBS also has a variable speed orbital nnixer, nitrogen assisted bottom filtration and a built-in ventilation system. 

The AMS 422 Figure 12) (54-56) is an automated Fmoc-based batch instrument for simultaneous construction of 48 different peptides at scales of 5-50 pmol. Solvents and reagents arc delivered by nitrogen pressure and removed by an aspiration system comptised of two stainless steel vessels separated by a solenoid valve and an all-Teflon membrane vacuum pump. The iastrument is based on an X-Y-Z robotics system for liquid handling and contains a multiple column reaction module. A valve manifold controls each... 

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