Using an Eppendorf automated pipetting system for real-time PCR set-up, the bioanalysis team at LGC, the UKÆs leading independent analytical laboratory, is saving staff time, cutting PCR reagent costs and completing projects within shorter timescales.
Founded over 150 years ago as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, LGC has been an independent, privately owned company for the past 10 years. LGC’s bioanalysis team uses real-time PCR techniques to analyse DNA extracted from a variety of sources, such as bacterial cells and foods. Dr Gavin Nixon, a senior researcher at LGC, said: “A recent DTI-funded contract research project in the personal care/clinical sector required rapid characterisation of bacterial populations present in clinical samples. This large-scale study involved detecting indicator microbes and generating high-quality quantitative data, in order to make comparisons between real-time PCR and standard microbiological techniques.
“Manual plate set-up of a 96-well format was not an option because of the limited time available for the study and the need to reduce reagent costs, save staff time and maintain experimental design flexibility.
After a comprehensive evaluation of various liquidhandling systems, the team selected Eppendorf’s epMotion 5075 LH because of its flexibility, pipetting accuracy at extremely small volumes, and user-friendly software.”
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