The Innovadyne Nanodrop II and Nanodrop Express liquid handlers from IDEX are market leaders in low volume, non-contact sample handling. These instruments can aspirate and dispense both samples and reagents across a wide range of biological applications. The Nanodrop has a wide dynamic volume range from 50nl to 500µl allowing procedures to utilise both large and small volumes without compromising accuracy or precision. Because of their unique combination of syringes and patented microsolenoid valves, samples are isolated, providing a valve-free fluid pathway that eliminates cross-contamination concerns.
The Nanodrop reduces sample volumes for DNA sequencing reactions, which provides significant cost savings of 5 – 10 fold. The Nanodrop increases accuracy and precision of pipetting applications, removing human error and automatically prepares hundreds of samples for analysis while releasing users to interpret results. The instrument has successfully pipetted a range of solutions including glycerols, growth media containing antibiotics, lysis buffer and ethanol-based washes as demonstrated by existing customers.
The biotechnology unit of the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) in Hertford uses a Nanodrop II, with 2 plate stage and 8 probes. It is currently processing hundreds of fosmid library samples. TARRC anticipates reducing its sample volumes, offering significant cost savings as less reagent will be used. Future applications also include quantification of gene expression and SNP analysis. TARRC is enjoying the significant benefits the Nanodrop has provided.