The independent platform for news, articles and advice for professionals in laboratory medicine

Accelerating sample transfers in Switzerland

Researchers in the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel are using INTEGRA’s VOYAGER adjustable tip-spacing electronic pipette to increase the efficiency of their workflows and reduce pipetting errors.

Korcan Ayata is a member of the gastroenterology group – led by Professor Jan Niess – which focuses on researching mucosal immunology and gastroenterology. The group is interested in the role of immune cells in inflammatory conditions, studying how monocytes enter tissue and differentiate into macrophages to have pro- or anti-inflammatory effects during the disease course.

The group’s normal workflow involves extracting RNA from samples and converting it to complementary DNA (cDNA), before conducting quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods, or running enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) on serum samples.

Korcan explained: “Our work involves transferring lots of samples between different well formats. Previously, we were conducting this work with single-channel pipettes, which was a laborious and error-prone process. We mainly use the VOYAGER in qPCR set-up to transfer samples from 1.5 mL tubes to eight-tube strips, and then to 384-well qPCR plates.

“The repeat dispensing function is really beneficial too, allowing us to distribute different qPCR master mix solutions from 1.5 mL tubes to 384-well plates. We’re also using the VOYAGER in cell culture and ELISA applications, for the addition of reagents from 1.5 mL and 2 mL tubes to 24-, 48- and 96-well plates, plus the transfer of samples between different plate formats. The VOYAGER saves us a huge amount of time compared to using manual pipettes, and our throughput has significantly increased since using it – it really helps to accelerate our research.”

Click here to visit the INTEGRA Biosciences’ website to learn more. 

Upcoming Events

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025