INTEGRA’S ASSIST PLUS aids the battle against antibiotic resistance
22 Mar 2021
INTEGRA Biosciences’ ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot and VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipettes are proving invaluable to scientists at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, helping the development of novel antibiotics against resistant strains of Gram-negative bacteria.
Senior research scientist Adrianna Olejniczak explained: “Our laboratory performs minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing of potential antibiotics as part of the European GNA NOW collaboration. We're currently working on over 50 strains but can do as many as 500 – that’s thousands and thousands of MICs a month, which is laborious and time consuming to do manually.”
“We use the ASSIST PLUS and VOYAGER pipette to run MIC testing in 96 well plates, and they are a lifesaver. The work deck can accommodate many types of reservoir, as well as heating blocks when we are working with temperature-sensitive media, and the GripTip pipette tips are a game-changer, as they don't inexplicably fall off your pipette. Pipetting protocols can be easily customized using the VIALAB software, and can even be simulated before use to check that there are no programming errors. Automation has enabled us to shorten our run times significantly, improving our throughput and efficiency. Reproducibility is better too, as user-to-user variation and pipetting errors are eliminated, and the workflow is not as stressful to perform – we just start the run and walk away. The ASSIST PLUS is a big advantage with such a dynamic project, where we are working to tight deadlines, and we’re now looking to get another one so that we can optimize our workflow even more. Manual pipetting just doesn’t compare to automation.”
Do you use INTEGRA products in your lab? Write a review today for your chance to win a $400 Amazon Gift Card>>
Related Products
Request Quote for All Products
GripTips for INTEGRA Pipettes
INTEGRA BiosciencesThe GripTips together with VIAFLO, VOYAGER and EVOLVE pipettes from INTEGRA form an integral system. Pipette tip and pipette were designed to fit perfectly together. As a result, the loading and attachment forces of the tips could be reduced to minimize wrist related stresses. In addition, the system provides a perfect tip sealing and reliably prevents tips from accidently falling off during pipetting. Consistent and safe pipetting guaranteed! Using Low Retention GripTips from INTEGRAwith heightened hydrophobic properties prevents low surface tension samples from spreading out at the inner wall of the tips for a maximum liquid recovery. Available in five volumes (12.5 µl to 5000 µl) GripTips come in bulk or stackable boxes (non-sterile, sterile and filtered) featuring colour-coded inserts that correspond to the volume ranges of the INTEGRA pipettes. The 12.5 µl and 125 µl GripTips come in 384-fold configuration, so the same tips and boxes can be used with 16-channel pipettes as well. The GREEN CHOICE is an environmentally friendly packaging of GripTips. Each GREEN CHOICE contains five GripTip inserts of non-sterile or pre-sterilized GripTips to refill the current tip boxes. Features and benefits: GripTips snap onto the tip fitting of INTEGRA pipettes, which prevents tips from falling off. Reduced tip attachment and ejection forces for comfortable, stress-free pipetting. Precise and consistent tip seal ensures that all tips on a multichannel pipette are precisely at an identical height for reliable touch offs and consistent pipetting results.
VOYAGER Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipettes
INTEGRA BiosciencesThe VOYAGER electronic pipettes enable users to change the tip spacing electronically with the push of a button. Up to three different tip spacings from 4.5 mm to 33 mm can be set and saved. Accelerate reformatting of plates, e.g. 96 well plates to 384 well plates, transfers from racked tubes into microplates or filling pockets of Agarose gels. The VOYAGER electronic pipettes feature a colour display and an intuitive touch wheel user interface. This enables quickest volume changes and easy, ergonomic modification of pipetting parameters. Ten predefined protocols are available, such as Repeat Dispense, Serial Dilute, Sample Mix. In addition, up to 20 customized protocols can be created and stored on the pipette. VOYAGER Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette Features & Benefits: Electronically adjustable tip spacing accelerates plate reformatting and sample transfers between different lab ware formats. Unique tip fitting design ensures that tips snap into place and will not accidently fall off. GripTips attach the same way each and every time to enable precise touching off. Intuitive touch wheel interface for rapid volume setting and easy programming. Available Models: 4-channel 6-channel 8-channel 12-channel