An exciting technological collaboration integrating TTP Labtech's mosquito^® X1 automated nanolitre pipettor with a well-known microplate mover has been set up, bringing an innovative hit-picking solution to the University of Michigan. This fully automated system is being utilised by the University's High Throughput Screening (HTS) Core, Centre for Chemical Genomics, to automate the selection and processing of compound hits from screens, using their 150,000 strong library.

The mosquito X1 and microplate mover automated platform is fully controlled by the mosquito CherryPicker software. The unique design of the mosquito nanolitre pipettes allows for multiple aliquots of compound from each pipette, rapidly preparing serial dilution and dose response plates for secondary screens.   "The mosquito X1 instrument has proven revolutionary in increasing the throughput of our hit selection service" said Martha Larsen, Director of HTS, University of Michigan.  She continued, "It is particularly important to us that the mosquito X1 can cherry-pick the compounds from the storage plates, and that the instrument can perform dose response dilutions for use in our secondary screening stage.  Before we purchased the mosquito we prepared dose response 384-well plates by hand and had to limit screens to 200 compounds a time. With the mosquito X1 we have been able to significantly increase our screening rate and throughput."

In addition, the ability of the mosquito X1 to dry spot compounds from the source plates overcomes the commonly encountered issues caused by aliquoting labile molecules in aqueous solutions in advance of the screening experiment.  This is particularly beneficial when setting up biological assays which require lengthy set up times, such as the time dependant transient transfections often used by this HTS facility.  

Joby Jenkins, Product Manager, TTP Labtech commented: "The mosquito X1 instrument provides the speed and efficiency required for HTS facilities.  We have worked closely with the HTS Core to provide a platform that is optimised to meet their specific needs.  The ability to transfer compounds within a complex, high density microplate format, while avoiding cross-contamination, can boost the throughput of any screening service. Coupling the mosquito X1 instrument with a microplate mover creates a platform that provides a level of walk-away confidence and greater workflow efficiency.  We are delighted that this system has had such a positive effect on their workflow practices. "

For more information about the mosquito^® X1 from TTP Labtech please visit: www.ttplabtech.com/mosquito