Beckman Coulter Offers 1536-Well Liquid Handling and High-Throughput Screening Solutions

Beckman Coulter, Inc. announces a number of technical advances in the Biomek® FX and SAGIAN™ Core Systems platforms, enabling work in the 1536-well plate format. Use of these smaller well plates increases laboratory throughput and reduces screening costs. Biomek FX and Core System advancements include a new Positive Positioning ALP (automated labware positioner) for 1536-well plates, new tools in the Biomek FX software, and a new version of SAMI® method development and scheduling software.

The Biomek FX liquid handler features a 384-channel pipetting head which accurately accesses the high-density 1536-well plates. The new ALP holds the plates precisely on the work surface, while a new Biomek FX software utility optimizes the exact location of the plate on the work surface with multi-directional tip alignment adjustments. These adjustments can be viewed on the software screen and made with the click of the mouse. The accurate and precise Biomek FX 384-channel head uses proprietary positive displacement pipetting technology and unique disposable pipette tips, developed by Beckman Coulter. This provides new levels of accuracy, speed and flexibility to 1536-well liquid transfers.

Work in the 1536 format can be done on a stand-alone Biomek FX as well as on integrated SAGIAN™ Core Systems, the leading screening platform. "The Core System is known as the most flexible screening program on the market today," comments Jan Allen Pursely, Strategic Marketing Manager for Beckman Coulter. "Now all Core System configurations can be upgraded to work in the increasingly popular 1536 well format."

A new version of SAMI assay development and scheduling software includes a new set of motions, grips and instructions for handling 1536-well plates between the various stations of a SAGIAN Core System, including plate readers, incubators and the Biomek FX liquid handler. Over 25 Core System devices have already been tested and validated in the 1536-well configuration.

Beckman Coulter is a leading provider of instrument systems and complementary products that simplify and automate processes in life science and clinical laboratories. The company's products are used throughout the world in all phases of the battle against disease, from pioneering medical research and drug discovery to diagnostic testing that aids in patient treatment. Annual sales for the company totaled $1.887 billion in 2000, with approximately half of this amount generated outside the United States.

For more information, access the Beckman Coulter World Wide Web Information Service at http://www.beckmancoulter.com or call (800) 742-2345 (U.S.). Fax (800) 643-4366 (U.S.). From outside the U.S. call (714) 871-4848, or Fax (714) 773-6611.