Abstract: A method of cleaning a pin head or other implements between handling a plurality of samples of nucleic acid subject to an amplification process using a biochemical amplification product. The method comprises exposing the pin head or other implement to ultraviolet (UV) and preferably also infrared (IR) illumination between handling different samples in order to suppress cross-contamination by non-specific amplification. The biochemical amplification product may be obtained from a rolling circle amplification (RCA) procedure, such as that catalyzed by bacteriophage phi29, or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification product.

Abstract: A robot for imaging and excision of two-dimensional fluorescent gels. An array detector is mounted in the roof of the robot to image down onto a gel dish placed on a light table. Fluorescence is excited by illuminating the light table from below with light emitting diodes mounted under the main bed of the apparatus. It is therefore possible to perform gel fluorescence analysis and coring (excision) using the same machine. The integration is based on a transmission mode optical design, distinct from prior art scanners and imagers which are based on reflection mode designs. This approach allows the conventional layout of a microarraying or picking robot to be maintained, avoiding unnecessary redesign of other robot functions associated with well plate and container handling. The apparatus may also be used for contrast imaging of non-fluorescent gels.

Abstract: The invention is based on the realization that feedback control for the vertical drive of a pin head becomes unnecessary if one instead prealigns the relative heights of the spotting surface and the well plates such that the pins in the pin head are lowered to the same absolute height both for picking up liquid from the well plates and depositing it onto the spotting surface. By aligning the heights of the well plates and spotting surfaces, the vertical drive of the pin head needs only to be able to reproducibly and accurately arrive at a single lowered position. A pin head can provide this functionality by having a mechanically defined bottom point, obviating the need for a complex and costly feedback control system for height determination of the pins. A simple, low-cost micro-arrayer can thus be provided.

Abstract: A robot for imaging and excision of two-dimensional fluorescent gels. An array detector is mounted in the roof of the robot to image down onto a gel dish placed on a light table. Fluorescence is excited by illuminating the light table from below with light emitting diodes mounted under the main bed of the apparatus. It is therefore possible to perform gel fluorescence analysis and coring (excision) using the same machine. The integration is based on a transmission mode optical design, distinct from prior art scanners and imagers which are based on reflection mode designs. This approach allows the conventional layout of a microarraying or picking robot to be maintained, avoiding unnecessary redesign of other robot functions associated with well plate and container handling. The apparatus may also be used for contrast imaging of non-fluorescent gels.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pin head or other implements between handling a plurality of samples of nucleic acid subject to an amplification process using a biochemical amplification product. The method comprises exposing the pin head or other implement to ultraviolet (UV) and preferably also infrared (IR) illumination between handling different samples in order to suppress cross-contamination by non-specific amplification. The biochemical amplification product may be obtained from a rolling circle amplification (RCA) procedure, such as that catalyzed by bacteriophage phi29, or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification product.

Abstract: A dual vacuum chamber manifold for processing well plates. A lower vacuum chamber (35) is formed by arranging a first well plate (25) in the base of the manifold and an upper vacuum chamber (45) is formed above the first well plate by arranging a second well plate on a manifold top plate (34). Pumping on the tipper vacuum chamber via an upper vacuum port (56) generates a vacuum to urge liquid from the upper well plate into the lover well plate. A non-return path between the vacuum chambers ensures that pumping on the upper vacuum port (56) also evacuates the lower vacuum chamber, thereby preventing a pressure differential arising around the lower well plate (25). To process the lower well plate, pumping on a lower vacuum port (58) is performed which closes the non-return path to the second vacuum chamber and thus evacuates the lower vacuum chamber alone.

Abstract: The invention is based on the realization that feedback control for the vertical drive of a pin head becomes unnecessary if one instead prealigns the relative heights of the spotting surface and the well plates such that the pins in the pin head are lowered to the same absolute height both for picking up liquid from the well plates and depositing it onto the spotting surface. By aligning the heights of the well plates and spotting surfaces, the vertical drive of the pin head needs only to be able to reproducibly and accurately arrive at a single lowered position. A pin head can provide this functionality by having a mechanically defined bottom point, obviating the need for a complex and costly feedback control system for height determination of the pins. A simple, low-cost micro-arrayer can thus be provided.