Solar
is a robotically integrated suite of sample
preparation and storage modules which can
be combined as needed to automate plate
production processes with extremely high
integrity. Designed to support applications
such as assay plate creation for high-throughput
screening and genotyping plate preparation
from DNA Biobanks, Solar is the ideal solution
for repository managers seeking to maximise
the productivity of their facilities.
Solar has been installed
at a number of leading pharmaceutical companies,
including GlaxoSmithKline,
Novartis and
AstraZeneca.
Septum
capped tubes can be accessed
repeatably using specially
designed pipette needles.
Magnetic
mixing has been shown not to
damage DNA, which can occur
using other mixing techniques.
High density storage, retrieval and
processing of individually barcoded
samples (including cherry picking)
Generation of any type of output format
including plate compressions and expansions,
mixture creation, complex control mappings,
and multiple dilution series
Environmental control system to protect
samples, including -20°C and relative
humidity control
Liquid transfers down to tens of
nanolitres
Controlled thawing and mixing of retrieved
samples prior to aliquoting
Sealing and labelling of output plates
Collation of multiple output streams
into sealable PlateSafe canisters
Refrigerated output buffer
Plate piercing and sealing
Tube capping and decapping
Inert gas purging of stored and output
vessels
Full process tracking and automatic
order fulfilment
The system also controls
information exchange with LIMS, via TAP’s
integrated sample management software, Concerto,
eliminating the need for additional purchases
or internal system development. The software
can control not only the operation of the
Solar but also peripheral processes and
external inventory, including manual stores
and third party workstations.
Full audit trails and traceability
for each sample to ensure regulatory
compliance requirements are met
Maintained quality and integrity of
valuable samples stored for long periods
via controlled environment and accurate
vessel identification
Elimination of cross contamination
during preparation of assay plates
Consistent, high quality plate production
with tight CVs (<5%)
Ability to handle a large range of
plate and tube types
Consolidation and standardisation
of liquid inventory, maximising storage
space
Simple upgrade path allowing future
additions to the system within existing
architecture
Seal-free plate production using TAP’s
PlateSafe sealable canisters
Solar offers
the ideal storage conditions for samples
in any format along with process control
software that ensures that GxP requirements
are met and that the logistics of production-scale
sample processing run smoothly.
DNA sample storage and Genotyping
Assay preparation
Automated production of diverse compound
sample sets and formats to support profiling
and lead characterisation
Preparation of custom biological sample
plate from single-shot stored aliquots
in PicoTubes
