PCR reaction miniaturization solutions at Innovadyne Technologies

Innovadyne’s PCR / sequencing platforms enhance PCR based methodologies by facilitating PCR reaction miniaturization. They dispense template DNA at low volume and elaborate primer-pair maps for real-time PCR diagnostic protocols. Reductions in both reagent and sample consumption not only lower costs, but also increase scalability, further enabling genome-wide approaches.

Innovadyne’s dispense technology precisely delivers low volumes, permitting direct linear reduction of reaction volumes and reagent use without dilution and thus maintaining optimal kinetics and assay performance. Innovadyne’s valve-free fluid path design coupled with its non-contact dispensing capability further enhance amplification-based methods, with opportunities for carryover in the reaction assembly process inherently minimized.

Flexible aspirate and dispense programmability, such as single-tip, random access pipetting, augments Innovadyne’s broadcast reagent capabilities. In addition to simple reagent additions, complex reagent and template map assemblies are also possible and easily programmed. Innovadyne instruments aspirate from and dispense to a wide variety of plates, reservoirs, reagent trays and Eppendorf style tube holders. Innovadyne's 96+8 instruments enable 96-tip template and primer transfers, and perform high throughput plate (kit) replication for molecular diagnostics, including a separate 8-tip system for “cocktail” additions.

In the application note "Miniaturizing PCR with the Nanodrop," we compared a traditional liquid handling robot dispensing 10 µL (total volume) amplification reactions in a 384-well format against a Nanodrop assembling 1.25µL reactions using the same components. The data showed that the Nanodrop delivers comparable results while significantly reducing reagent costs and sample consumption.

Traditional Liquid Handler, 10 µL Assay
Nanodrop, 1.25 µL Assay

Ct Mean
28.82
29.03

Ct St.Dev
0.22
0.3

Ct %CV
0.77
1.02

Ct Range
1.2
1.86

Features (all platforms)

96-tip template and primer transfers and 8-tip system for “cocktail” additions (using Screenmaker or Platemaker)
Able to dispense to “exotic” plate maps
Successful sub-microliter amplification assays
Demonstrated lack of carryover
Allows pre-dilution scale down of reagents for sequencing
Real time QPCR
Sequencing
Easy to clean using bleach or other disinfectants
High throughput plate (kit) replication for molecular diagnostics (Screenmaker or Platemaker)
Options for environmental control (Nanodrop)
PCR applications developed in collaboration with molecular diagnostics customer
Sequencing applications in development with well respected sequencing center

Platforms

Item	Description	Plate Positions	8-Tip Head	16-Tip Head	96-Tip Head	Syringe Channels	1,4, or 8-Tip Additions to all Wells
10808	Nanodrop I stage and fluidics	1	Yes	-	-	8	-
10591	Nanodrop ExtY stage and fluidics	1	Yes	-	-	8	Yes
11638	Nanodrop II stage and fluidics	2	Yes	-	-	8	Yes
12056	Nanodrop Express stage/fluidics	1 or 2	-	Yes	-	16	Yes
11164	Screenmaker 96+8	5	Yes	-	Yes	16	Yes
12027	Platemaker HTS	5	Yes	-	Yes	104	Yes

Software

Item	Description
11727	Nanobuilder
10591	Nanodrop GUI (for Nanodrop only)

Accessories

Item	Description
11193	Reagent refill system (Nanodrop only)
	Eppindorf tube holder (all platforms)

Specifications

Return-To-Spot Accuracy	0.1 mm
Aspiration Range, 8-Tip Head	0.1-500µL
Dispensing Range (8-Tip Non-Contact)	0.1-40µL
Dispensing Range (96-Tip)	Screenmaker: 0.1-125µL Platemaker: 0.1-80µL
Dispensing Precision, 8-Tip Head	CV<10% at 100nL, CV<7% at 200nL, CV<5% at 1µL
Dispensing Precision, 96-Tip Head	CV<15% at 100nL, CV<10% at 200nL, CV<5% at 1µL
Dispensing Accuracy, 8-Tip Head	±10% at 100nL, ±7% at 200nL, ±5% at >1 µL
Dispensing Accuracy, 96-Tip Head	Screenmaker: ±10% at 100-500nL, ±5% at >1 500nL Platemaker: ±10% at 100nL, ±7% at 200nL, ±5% at >1 µL
Dead Volume, 8-Tip head	1.5µL/channel at 1µL across 384-well plate
Dead Volume, 96-Tip head	<1µL/channel
Syringe Capacity	500, 1000µL