Abstract: A robotic workstation includes apparatus for actuating one or more syringes. Each syringe has a cylinder and a plunger movable in the cylinder. A programmable robot has at least one syringe actuating device. The actuating device has a holder for holding and releasing a syringe cylinder and an actuator movable relative to the holder. A coupling couples the actuator to the plunger of the syringe such that, when the cylinder is held by the holder, movement of the actuator relative to the holder causes the plunger to move in the cylinder. A method of dispensing a material into a container includes robotically moving at least one syringe to a position for dispensing into a container. The plunger is robotically moved in the cylinder to dispense material from the syringe into the container. The workstation suitably includes a mixing apparatus for mixing materials in an array of containers at the workstation.

Abstract: An apparatus for parallel processing of reaction mixtures comprises a plurality of vessels for holding a plurality of reaction mixtures for processing. A plurality of vessel supports are adapted for supporting the plurality of vessels. Caps sealingly engage the vessel supports for sealing the vessels within the vessel supports. The vessels, vessel supports, and caps define reaction chambers having bearings and stirrers rotatable therein. The stirrers each comprise a spindle rotatable in a respective bearing and at least one stirring implement extending from the spindle for contacting a respective reaction mixture. The stirrers further comprise at least one magnet adapted to be subjected to a rotating magnetic field in the vessel for causing the stirrer to rotate thereby to mix the respective reaction mixture.