Tecan Journal Edition 01/2004

ISSN 1660-5276

Tecan Journal English Edition 1/2004 - February 2004

Interview with Dr. Aitor Galdos, CEO of Tecan Page 3

Freedom EVOware® – a new standard of control over automation platforms Page 9

Microarray System Brings Speed to Genotyping Page 5 www.tecan.com

Editorial

Contents

Laboratory Automation Receives New Impulse

Interview Interview with Dr. Aitor Galdos, CEO of Tecan

Dear Customer

Page 3

Firstly, I’m delighted to introduce you to Aitor Galdos, who took over as CEO of Tecan Group on 1 November 2003. Aitor combines a solid technical understanding with a broad industry background, including extensive

Genomics

experience in business management, and so I am

A New Microarray System Brings Speed to Genotyping

convinced that he will continue to extend the leading

Page 5

position of Tecan as a supplier of high-precision platforms for laboratory automation.

Drug Discovery Automated microbiology: Identification of antimicrobial substances for cosmetic products

For more information on Aitor, please read the interview on the facing page.

In 2004, Tecan will continue to launch a series of innovative new products starting with Freedom EVOware®, a completely new software for controlling the Freedom EVO® series of platforms. With its ease of use and outstanding performance, this software

Page 7 New Products

sets new standards in controlling laboratory automation platforms (page 9).

As always, this edition of the Tecan Journal contains articles on interesting

Freedom EVOware® – a new standard of control over automation platforms

Page 9

applications. On page 5 you will find an article on the contribution of the LS laser scanner to the accelerated and more efficient generation of genotyping results.

On page 7, we describe an automated application for the identification of substances

Clinical Diagnostics

with bacteriostatic properties. This solution includes an automated plating function

Measuring aggregation

Page 11

and will be of interest to our customers in the cosmetics industry as well as to other sectors.

Automating thrombocyte function assays will facilitate the diagnosis of medically important hemostatic disorders. Tecan has developed an interesting solution, which is presented on page 11 of this edition.

Tecan Plus Get Trained by Certified Experts

If you wish to discuss your requirements personally with one of our technical sales staff or arrange for a demonstration of our products, you can meet our staff at a wide range of trade shows and conferences. Please check our calendar of events on

Page 13

page 14 to find the most convenient time and venue for you. And if there isn’t one, just call your nearest Tecan office – we’ll be pleased to help you as much as we can!

Events New Products

Yours faithfully,

Monochromator power for assay development and high-throughput screening – Safire2

Page 14 Local News

Mike Baronian Chairman Tecan Group Ltd.

Page 15

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Interview

“I want to strengthen Tecan’s position as the leading supplier of solutions for liquid handling and detection” Interview with Dr. Aitor Galdos, CEO of Tecan Aitor Galdos was born 1955 in Venezuela and holds Master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and metallurgy from the University of Michigan. He completed his PhD at the University of Tokyo, Japan, in the Department of Nuclear Engineering. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at the University of Syracuse, NY. Aitor worked for three years in oil production with Exxon in the Amazon region. Later he built up one of the Japanese branches for Balzers AG (today’s Unaxis Corporation) and then moved within the group to the position of Product Manager in Liechtenstein. In 1996 he took over the development and management of the TFT Display Division. From 1999 through 2001 Aitor was in charge of corporate development at Unaxis. Before joining Tecan, he was with VP Bank in Vaduz, where he worked as Head of Group Marketing and Business Development.

What motivated you to take up the position

This demonstrates that Tecan is in an excellent

This move reflects the decision of the board of

as CEO of the leading supplier of solutions

competitive position and has the necessary

directors in July 2003 to focus Tecan’s business

for liquid handling and detection in the life

requirements for growth.

activities on its core competencies of liquid handling, robotics, detection, software and

sciences sector?

Aitor Galdos: It is a very interesting challenge

In July 2003, Tecan launched a single

for me to manage a company that has such a

platform that was built for the requirements

good potential for growth. I find it attractive

of customers in all business areas. Has this

to oversee and influence key areas of a

concept proven to be successful so far?

commercial organization, considering the perspective of all stakeholders – customers, investors and employees.

a radical change, but continuing evolutionary innovation for our existing customers.

Which of your experiences from previous

we introduced through the Freedom EVO®

positions do you consider to be of specific

series allows new customers to evolve their

importance to your function as CEO of Tecan?

platforms from basic systems according to

Marketing and Strategic Management is certainly of great value for this position.

An additional advantage for Tecan is my good knowledge of the Asian region and culture.

What is your impression of Tecan since you started on 1 November 2003?

organizational structure of the company.

The closing down of the separate facility in Munich helped us to reduce organizational costs. Specific Proteomics competencies and

With this concept, we did not want to bring

At the same time, the standardization that

My background in Product Development,

miniaturization and to streamline the

their needs. More than 50 percent of the

activities will be continued at other Tecan sites. This means that Tecan is still committed to maintaining and developing its current range of products for Proteomics customers.

As an example, important Proteomics applications such as the Digest or the Advanced Digest have now been made available on the Freedom EVO platform.

liquid handling platforms in production are already of the new Freedom EVO type. This proves that customers are convinced by the new concept and have rapidly accepted it.

The facility of Tecan in Munich, where applications for the Proteomics area had

“We will continue to launch an impressive number of new products in 2004”

been developed, has recently been closed I am really impressed by the motivation and commitment of the employees. Their focus

down. What are the implications to Tecan’s Proteomics products range?

on the business is extraordinarily high.

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Interview

The LabCD is an innovative product, which

preferred kit with an automation solution

How will Tecan meet the increasing demands

enables the miniaturization of assays.

from the leading provider of laboratory

of customers regarding optimization of costs

How have customers reacted?

automation solutions.

and ease of use in the future?

We’ve received very positive feedback from

We will continue to develop our Freedom EVO

customers using our first ADMET assay on

In Clinical Diagnostics, regulatory

platform. Customers will be able to buy more

the LabCD introduced in February 2003.

requirements are becoming increasingly

options and to perform more applications

They really like the fact that the application

important. How does Tecan support its

on the same platform, which increases their

is prevalidated and that the number of

Diagnostics customers in meeting these

return on investment. The possibility to work

necessary manual interventions is considerably

requirements?

with the same platform in all areas and

reduced compared with other systems.

throughput ranges will reduce the necessary

We already signed several alliance and R&D

training expense for institutions with a

contracts with key customers in order to develop

larger equipment base. In addition, the new

further assays in the ADMET area. We are

software EVOware was developed to allow

definitely committed to this application and

users to implement and run their applications

want to make sure that the LabCD becomes

with an unmatched ease of use. On the

the undisputed standard for appropriate

organizational level, we want to strengthen

biopharmaceutical applications.

our Customer Service and Application Support (currently Customized Solutions) structures.

Currently, Tecan is focusing mainly on its core competencies of liquid handling and

Where do you find the necessary balance

detection. What is the underlying business

to this challenging task?

strategy?

I find it very relaxing to be on a sailing boat

Due to the weakness in the Life Science industry

Tecan has continuously adapted its quality

observing the sunrise over the ocean. I also

in recent years, we had to adapt our business

system and has implemented all the necessary

enjoy spending time on my other hobbies,

strategy. We want to maintain and develop

organizational measures to fulfill the worldwide

which include traveling and reading.

our position as the number one company

regulatory standards including the recently

in the crucial core competencies for the life

implemented IVD-Directive 98/79/EC of the

sciences tools industry. With this approach

EU. So customers can be sure they will receive

we will continue to provide the best platforms

the best possible products and after sales

and solutions to eliminate the bottlenecks in

service for their requirements. I want to point

the research and development as well as the

out that Tecan has specifically trained sales

diagnostics process. As a first step, I want

managers that are able to consult customers

to consolidate Tecan’s position in focused

if they need assistance with regulatory

markets. Therefore, we are currently defining

compliance.

product groups in order to bring more transparency into financial reporting and

Which important product launches

to develop strategies along these product

can be expected from Tecan this year?

groups. Based on the strategy for the products, we will reconsider Tecan’s corporate strategy.

As in previous years, we will continue to

“We will continue to provide the best platforms and solutions”

launch an impressive number of new products in 2004. Two important products will become

Today, many customers are looking for

available in the first quarter: the new

complete solutions to their application

pipetting and scheduling software EVOware

needs. Devices, reagents and application

and the new monochromator-based

support should all be available from one

microplate reader Safire2. Further new

single supplier. How is Tecan planning to

detection systems will follow this year.

offer this added value to its customers?

Tecan will also extend its Gene Expression

Our “open system approach” allows us to

Suite of products and launch interesting

adapt the platforms to the needs of our

new applications in other areas.

customers. We are collaborating with the main suppliers of reagents and kits that are of importance for the application needs of our customers so they can combine their

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Genomics

A New Microarray System Brings Speed to Genotyping Several solutions from Tecan contribute to the automation of high-throughput genotyping services offered by Transnetyx

The seamless integration of Tecan’s automated LS 200/300/400 series of laser scanners with its

Transnetyx Staff:

Array-Pro Analyzer software provides unprecedented flexibility and throughput for high-throughput

From Left to Right

screening and other microarray applications. The high quality of the data generated by the

Front Row, Suzanne Ledbetter, Jean Wolaver

LS series of laser scanners is a prerequisite for successfully generating results with statistical

Back Row, Nate Nowak, Jeff Thomas,

and bioinformatical evaluations, which become increasingly important in the postgenomic era.

Bob Bean, Tim Hodge, Scott Balentine.

When working with transgenic animals,

intensive PCR and Southern Blot protocols

a thorough genotyping analysis of DNA

with easily automateable microarray

The System for secure, fast, accurate and convenient genotyping

samples is necessary to confirm the

technology. With PCR and Southern Blot

The Transnetyx system was originally

presence of the desired genotype. Although

protocols an average batch size of 30

designed and developed as a platform

PCR is often the method of choice for this

samples could be processed every two to

technology, not only for mutant mouse

kind of analysis, it is a tedious, time

three days. With Transnetyx’ novel solution,

screening, but to enable high-throughput

consuming and often error prone procedure

thousands of samples can be processed

performance of other genetic tests and

that is not very well suited for a high-

simultaneously in approximately eight

screening protocols. The system is based

throughput approach. Transnetyx, Inc.,

hours. With this significant increase in

on four Tecan instruments:

a Memphis, Tennessee based company, has

speed and throughput, researchers can

• Genesis Platform for sample configuration

addressed this problem with a proprietary

now redirect their time and resources to

new microarray system that utilizes several

meaningful scienctific research rather than

solutions from Tecan.

spending it performing routine tests. The

Transnetyx’ automated system allows it to perform genotype analysis testing quicker and cheaper than in-house laboratory technicians. The proprietary process automates the entire screening protocol for detecting transgenic, knock-out, and knockin alleles in laboratory mice. It replaces labor-

increased throughput of the new method is critical for drug studies involving large numbers of transgenic mice. In addition, the microarray technology uses significantly less reagents, chemicals, and consumables offering a six-fold cost-savings per sample over the existing manual protocols.

(accessioning station).

• Genesis Freedom® Platform (probe accessioning station).

• GENios microplate reader for scanning well plates for DNA content and quality.

• LS300 Laser Scanner for scanning the slides.

Currently, Transnetyx has installed one production line. A second one will start operating in spring 2004. Each production line incorporates two high volume liquid

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Genomics

Transnetyx Tray System on Tecan Transnetyx Clean Room.

Genesis Freedom.

handling stations, one microarray machine,

volumes of samples, Transnetyx implemented

Fast and reliable results

and one laser scanner. “The addition of the

a customized Laboratory Information

For Transnetyx’ customers, the benefits of

Tecan LS 300 to our laboratory operations has

Management System (“LIMS”) software

the technology are obvious. Cost effective

greatly improved our productivity as well as

program to manage the entire production

services are provided rapidly and reliably.

our flexibility. Its ability to scan slides and

process. After receiving all customer orders

All of this is enabled through the use of

well plates gives us many options over

from the website order entry system, LIMS

reliable, state-of-the-art automation solutions;

conventional slide scanners,” comments

generates a daily production work list,

many of which are provided by Tecan.

Robert Bean, Vice President of Transnetyx.

verifies chemical and reagent inventory,

He adds: “Day in and day out, we believe

tracks each sample through each sequence,

the LS 300 is one of the best scanners on the

links the automation software at every

market. We have compared our results to

equipment station to the process, and finally

other scanners and have found the data to

posts the results back to the customer

be more accurate and more useful to us in

account management system.

the LS 300 format.”

Currently, the system has a capacity of

The platform minimizes manual intervention

50,000 samples in an 18-hour workday.

and the potential for error by utilizing a

The only bottleneck in the process, sample

conveyor system to move and scan samples

accessioning, will be overcome with

from station to station. To control such large

additional liquid handling solutions.

Transnetyx: Year of foundation: 2001 Current number of staff: 8 Genotyping service: Beta trials are currently available for 20 launch customers. Commercial availability in March 2004 Examples of typical customers: University Laboratories, Individual Primary Investigators, University Core facilities, University Animal Centers who centralize test services, Breeders, Bio/Pharma Research Centers Typical types of tests: Testing for trangenes, knock out, knock in, insertions, zygosity.

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Drug Discovery

Automated Microbiology: Identification of Antimicrobial Substances for Cosmetic Products Author: Bernd Traupe, R&D cosmed, Beiersdorf AG, Unnastr. 48, 20245 Hamburg

Figure 2: The Spiral Plater plates the samples with bacteria on a petri dish while the RoMa Figure 1: Tecan Genesis Workstation with Eppendorf Thermoshaker and Wasp Spiral Plater.

Introduction

Material and Methods

program of cosmetic products. These substances serve as additives to guarantee the required shelf life of the product. In other products like deodorants, these additives are responsible for the desired antimicrobial effect. This work describes the automation of a test to identify substances with antimicrobial activity against the bacterial strain Corynebacterium xerosis ATCC 7711. Each set of experiments involves testing five candidate substances (tested in duplicate) and two control compounds. The compounds are mixed with the bacteria, and allowed to incubate. Samples are removed at various time points and plated onto agar. After 48 hours of incubation, the colonies on the plates are counted. A graphical analysis of the number of colonies in relation to time represents the bacteriostatic effect of the tested substance.

Automation of the process has doubled the throughput of the test while maintaining

• Barcode reader on the Genesis workbench for scanning the barcode on each plate

Screening for substances with an antimicrobial effect is often a part of the development

arm holds the cover.

Instruments Together with Tecan, Beiersdorf AG

after transport to the Spiral Plater.

• Wasp Spiral Plater (Don Whitley Scientific),

established an automated solution for the

integrated on the Genesis workstation

processing of the described procedures.

(the Spiral Plater is loaded with agar

The components are:

plates and sample racks by the RoMa arm).

• Tecan Genesis RSP 200/8 with a robotic manipulator (RoMa) arm, 8 x 1 ml syringes,

Chemicals

8 Teflon covered steel tips.

20% ethanol, for the stock solutions of

• Fast Wash pump.

substances; 70% ethanol, for decontaminating

• Carrier for substances in Eppendorf cups.

the pipetting tips; medium; agar plates

• Reagent storage reservoir filled with 70%

(10 cm) with C- Agar (Heipa).

ethanol for decontamination of the pipetting tips after each pipetting step.

• Special carriers for 3 x 7 racks with four sample containers each (these racks are transported to the Spiral Plater by the RoMa arm. Samples are plated directly from the racks).

• Eppendorf Thermomixer for incubation of bacteria and test substances.

• Carousel on the right side of the workstation for storage of agar plates.

The assay The pipetting robot is loaded with five test substances and two controls. 76 bar-code labeled agar plates are stored in the carousel and all chemical containers (stock solution with bacterial strain, extra medium for dissolving the substance and bacteria and decontamination solution) are filled up.

The test substances (performed in duplicate) and the two controls are mixed with the bacteria with a ratio of 1:1 (or 500 µl of the

the system free of contamination.

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Drug Discovery

Automation of the process has doubled the throughput of the test while maintaining the system free of contamination

Figure 3: Example of the result of a screening assay: After adding the test substance the CFUs (colony forming units) per ml at specific times are calculated and displayed on a time graph.

This example shows that substance B has the strongest antimicrobial effect.

substance solution are added to 500 µl of

Results

the bacterial culture) and incubated on the

Each run is capable of testing five substances

thermoshaker. At T0 samples are taken from

in a duplicate test against two controls.

both controls and dissolved 1:10 and 1:100 in

Samples are taken and plated at four specific

a transportable sample container. After each

points in time (0, 20 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours).

pipetting step the tips are decontaminated

Agar plates are then incubated for 48 hours

in 70% ethanol and washed with the

at 30°C and the numbers of colonies are

system’s washing solution. All 24 samples

displayed graphically against the incubation

are subsequently transported to the Spiral

times. This allows an interpretation of the

Figure 4: Time benefit of automating the test.

Plater and plated on the petri dishes. For this

antimicrobial effect of each tested compound.

The limit in throughput is not yet reached

procedure the RoMa arm first transports the

An example of the result is shown in Fig 3.

and can be further increased twofold. On a

Experienced staff can process the assay

single workday the manual method allowed

carrier racks, each containing four samples, to the Spiral Plater and then gets the agar plates from the carousel to the Spiral Plater.

After a plate is placed in the right position, the cover is lifted up and the Spiral Plater’s

manually, without any automated steps in ca. five hours. Using the automated system described, processing of the same amount of samples takes just 90 minutes.

turntable spins the agar plate (see Fig 2).

During this step the barcode is scanned.

This article was originally published in BioTec

The Spiral Plater’s pipetting tip then takes

11-12/2003.

a sample and plates it through continuous

for testing a total of five substances, while the automated solution is capable of processing double the amount. However, the theoretical maximum throughput is not yet reached and the system is capable of increasing throughput by a further factor of 2, to a total of 20 substances. The system is linked to an Access database, which generates the barcodes for the plates and also links the

dispensing in a linear movement over the

barcodes of the sample and the plate. The

spinning plate, creating a spiral sample

counting of the colonies on a IUL reader is

pattern on the plate. In a last step the RoMa

currently performed offline, but linking this

arm puts the cover back on the plate and

directly to the Access database in order to

transports the plate back to the carousel for

directly link the number of colonies to the

storage. The samples are incubated at 30°C

plate barcode is possible.

on a temperature controlled shaker. After incubation for 20 minutes, 1 hour and 3 hours 24 extra samples are plated, now adding up to a total of 76 agar plates for five tested substances. After 48 hours of incubation the colonies on the plates are counted.

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New Products

Freedom EVOware® – a New Standard of Control over Automation Platforms Freedom EVOware is Tecan’s new state of the art software for all your biopharmaceutical and research application needs

Password protected login supports compliance with CFR 21 part 11 requirements.

Tecan is opening yet another chapter in the history of liquid handling automation: Freedom EVOware brings a new dimension to controlling robotic platforms. Whether you are a beginner with no experience or an automation expert wanting to set up a complex multi-device schedule – Freedom EVOware is the tool that offers an unmatched combination of flexibility and ease of use.

Ultimate Flexibility

The 3D viewer allows you to simulate protocols easier and faster.

Freedom EVOware is the first liquid handling and robotic control software to provide

multilevel user management, full audit trail,

reduce your learning time and to achieve

pipetting and dynamic scheduling in one

electronic records and electronic signatures.

an excellent working experience.

the door of advanced assay control to a whole

Simple daily operation

Freedom to evolve

new group of users. An outstanding range

Freedom EVOware guides new users to get

Freedom EVOware offers system integrators

of functionalities and performance features

up and running fast! Standard protocols may

an extendable library of over 75 drivers for

together with scalability and flexibility make

be selected from the system library or new

detection, separation, robotics and plate

Freedom EVOware the robotic and liquid

optimized protocols may be easily created

handling and storage devices from Tecan

handling software of choice.

for everyday use.

and 3rd party vendors. System customization

package. Therefore, Freedom EVOware opens

is supported through a variety of open

From lab technicians running protocols to system integrators extending the system

Intuitive creation of protocols

interfaces for device drivers, automation,

with new devices, Freedom EVOware offers

Freedom EVOware’s intuitive graphical user

worklisting and messaging, delivering

you a superior working experience through

interface sets new standards in ease of use.

flexibility at all levels.

its ease-of-use. A consistent and intuitive

Worktable definition is simplified through

graphical user interface truly simplifies

drag and drop, and protocols creation is

the control of the Freedom EVO®, from basic

accelerated through application templates

pipetting protocols on a Freedom EVO 100,

that get you started. 3D simulation allows

to multi-plate scheduled runs on a fully

you to see your process before running it

configured Freedom EVO 200. Freedom

on the Freedom EVO, thus saving valuable

EVOware supports laboratories working under

consumables. The features of the modern

the FDA’s 21 CFR part 11 regulation that need

and intuitive user interface allow you to

Tecan Journal 1/2004

Enabling Genomics, Proteomics and Drug Discovery applications

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New Products

Freedom EVOware is available in two configurations: Freedom EVOware Standard • Start-up screens guide operators through common routines.

• Intuitive graphical user interface for worktable and protocol creation.

• Graphical definition of robotic moves.

• Application templates accelerate creation of common protocols.

• Wizards assist creation of advanced pipetting procedures.

• 3D view of instrument for simulating sequences.

• Internet downloadable liquid classes and labware definitions.

• Expandable with a library of over 75 device drivers.

• Full support for FDA CFR 21 part 11.

Freedom EVOware Plus • Process oriented protocol definition.

• Integrated scheduler simplifies scale-up to multi-plate runs.

• Save optimized schedules for improved efficiency.

Start-up screens guide operators through common routines.

The Favourites tab of the control bar allows you to organize your most frequently used commands and labware in one easy to access location.

Easy to use graphical interface: simply drag and drop the necessary labware on the worktable (left). The same user friendly method works for selecting commands for the generation of scripts (right).

Simple, intuitive and flexible software

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Clinical Diagnostics

Measuring Aggregation Automation of assays for the function of thrombocytes

Figure 1: The test setup on a Genesis Freedom for the automation of functional tests of thrombocytes (see copy for components).

Hemostasis is the process of repairing

plasma is subsequently diluted to obtain

of the analyzed thrombocytes and the

lesions in blood vessels. The repair

the desired number of thrombocytes for

possible presence of functional disorders.

mechanism is based on the synergestic

the tests. An important assay to test the

co-action of contracting blood vessels, the

function of thrombocytes is the photometric

The goal for automation

plasmatic coagulation system, and platelets

detection of thrombocyte-aggregation upon

The manual procedure for testing 120 samples

(thrombocytes). Thrombocytes are responsible

the addition of trigger agents like collagen

takes 5-6 man-hours per day. The goal was to

for the formation of the primary

(stimulates the interaction of thrombocytes

automate this process in order to reduce the

hemostatic clot. The clot develops from

with subendothelial stroma), ADP (stimulates

workload and to enable staff to perform

the adhesion of the thrombocytes to

the interaction of thrombocytes), epinephrine

other tasks. The additional capacities are

sub-endothelial collagen, followed by

(stimulates arachidonic acid metabolism),

used to continuously cross-check the results,

adsorption of the thrombocytes, and then

arachidonic acid (stimulates the formation of

which significantly increases the quality of

stabilization with fibrin. It is their adhesive

thromboxan A2), or ristocetin (stimulates the

data and also gives physicians, clinics and

and aggregative properties that enable

aggregating effect of the von-Willebrand-

laboratories much faster access to their results.

thrombocytes to play a crucial role in this

factor). For the assay, the thrombocyte-rich

process. Aggregation of thrombocytes can

plasma and the trigger reagent are placed in

The solution

be triggered by various inductors including

a cuvette and stirred with a small magnetic

The system is based on a Tecan Genesis

adrenalin, collagen and thrombin, or by

agitator. The stirring motion prevents

FreedomŽ (see Fig 1) with a “Pick and Place�

numerous mechanical factors.

sedimentation of thrombocytes and

arm on the left side (1), a liquid handling

Testing the functionality of thrombocytes

facilitates the formation of aggregates.

arm with four syringes on the right side (2),

is an important tool for the diagnosis of

Following this step, the transmission of long

a barcode scanner for the detection of the

hemostatic disorders. In order to perform

wavelength light, which increases during the

sample tubes (3), positions for four Apact 4

these thrombocyte function tests, platelet

formation of aggregates, is measured over a

Aggregometers (Labitec) (4), as well as

rich plasma first needs to be obtained; which

defined period of time. A graph of this data

positions for a stock of cuvettes (5) and a

is accomplished by centrifuging citric blood

is then compared with standard curves

waste station for disposal of used cuvettes (6).

under defined conditions. The extracted

enabling determination of the functionality

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Clinical Diagnostics

Figure 2: Typical aggregation results after adding the trigger. X-axis: Time [sec], Y-axis: transmission = % aggregation. Figure 2a+b show a pathological function of thrombocytes typical for sticky-platelet syndrome.

Figure 2a: Aggregation when adding the triggers collagen (black), ADP (red) and arachidonic acid (blue) are normal. Figure 2b: When adding different concentrations of epinephrine (red=1:10, green=1:100, blue=1:1000) no change in aggregation is observed and does not differ from adding pure epinephrine (black) (stimulusunproportional aggregation behavior).

Figure 2c shows a pathological function of thrombocytes. The aggregation stimulated by collagen (black), epinephrine (green) and arachidonic acid (blue) is clearly constricted.

The aggregation when adding ADP (red) is normal, suggesting a release-defect.

This workstation was developed and set up

Four different applications are used:

in collaboration with the lab of Prof Trobisch

1. Assay for aggregation of thrombocytes on

in Duisburg. A crucial step during setup was

seven channels per sample (tests for sticky-

the exact positioning of the “Pick and Place”

platelet-syndrome and thrombocytopathia:

arm, which transports the cuvettes and

Triggers are collagen, ADP, arachidonic acid

places them into the four photometers.

and epinephrine in four concentrations).

2. Assay for aggregation of thrombocytes

The process

on four channels per sample (tests for

In a sample preparation step, the citric blood

drug-induced thrombocytopathia:

of patients is centrifuged, yielding platelet-

Triggers are collagen, ADP, arachidonic

rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-free plasma

acid and epinephrine).

Figure 3: Pick and Place arm.

(PPP). PPP is used for calibrating the system and the PRP is adjusted to contain between 200,000 and 400,000 thrombocytes per µl.

The tubes, which have been bar-coded for patient- and sample-identification, are scanned by the Tecan barcode scanner and compared with the task list maintained by the LIMS. This guarantees complete sample

3. Assay for aggregation of thrombocytes

Bernard-Soulier-syndrome, release-defect,

on five channels per sample (tests for

thrombopenia and radial aplasia, dense-

heparine-induced thrombocytopathia:

body-defect, gray-platelet-syndrome and

Triggers are HMW-haeoarine, LMW-

alpha-2-adrenerger-receptor-defect.

heparine, orgarane and isotonic NaCl

Automation of this process leads to an

as a blank value).

increased speed of analysis (3-4 hours

4. Assay for aggregation of thrombocytes

control and eliminates potential errors.

on four channels per sample (tests for

Samples that are not to be tested are

Willebrand-syndrome type II: Trigger is

identified immediately. Tecan’s Gemini

ristocetin in four concentrations).

and Pegasus software packages control

compared to 5-6 hours for manual processing) and a significant increase in the quality and reliability of results, which is a big step forward for laboratory medicine.

This article was originally published in

the pipetting steps and the subsequent

Results

batch processing of the samples:

The test for aggregation of thrombocytes on

• Transport of cuvettes to and from

four channels (test for Willebrand-syndrome

Authors:

type II) shows typical results of aggregation

Prof. Dr. med. Heiner Trobisch

• Pipetting of PRP and PPP including mixing

tests (see Fig 2). The pattern of aggregation

Facharzt für Laboratoriums- und

of samples and adding reaction triggers.

after addition of the trigger substance leads

Transfusionsmedizin Duisburg

• Start and control of aggregometer.

to various conclusions about different

Königstr. 53, 47051 Duisburg

• Optimization of batch processing.

pathological functional disorders like drug-

Phone: 0203/30 09 80 Fax: 0203/30 09 899

• Handling of “fatal error” reports of

induced thrombocytopathia (Aspirin, NSAR),

E mail: praxis@trobisch.de

sticky-platelet-syndrome, Morbus Glanzmann,

Andrea Iffert, Laboratory Prof. Trobisch

the aggregometer.

the aggregometer.

LaborMedizin & Diagnostik 01.03.

Tecan Journal 1/2004

12

www.tecan.com

Tecan Plus

Get Trained by Certified Experts – the Key for Success Share Tecan’s experience and optimize your laboratory efficiency through our extensive training programs

Training courses are an effective method for acquiring the specialized knowledge

• Learn from the experiences of other participants.

Our courses are run by certified trainers, product managers and applications specialists

necessary for the proper utilization of Tecan

• Time for practicing.

who are experts in their respective fields.

instruments. Tecan offers a comprehensive

• Ongoing access to feedback from

You can be confident that you will be

range of courses that combine in-depth theory with hands-on coaching sessions.

Tecan’s comprehensive training programs enable customers to build up the knowledge necessary for optimizing the productivity of

the trainer and product experts.

• Hands-on training using the instruments.

• Small learning groups.

• Interactive discussions.

• Customized training is available on request.

their Tecan instruments. Taking advantage

receiving the very best education from skilled professionals.

Courses are held at most of Tecan’s affiliate offices worldwide. Tecan also offers the economic and practical option of training onsite in your laboratory. This can significantly

of Tecan’s training resources and experienced

The right course for everyone

reduce your time and travel costs; especially

trainers, these courses provide the customer

Whatever your level of experience,we have

if you want to train several people.

with a thorough learning experience.

a course that is right for you. Our training programs cover the following main areas:

Benefits • Maximizing productivity = return on your training investment.

• Effective learning without distraction from daily business.

• Certified and highly skilled trainers.

• Opportunities to ask questions and challenge what you are learning.

• Introduction to Tecan instruments,

For further information: www.tecan.com > Customer Relations > Training

including how to operate equipment safely.

• Software concepts and program implementation.

• Basic maintenance to prevent equipment down-time.

• Liquid handling, including the Nanopipetting System (NPS).

• Specialized application courses.

Tecan Journal 1/2004

13

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Events/New Products

Tecan on the Road Preview on Conferences and Trade Shows 2004 Date

Event

Location

Analytica

Munich

www.analytica.de

29 February – 4 March

LogP2004

Zurich

www.logp2004.ethz.ch

3-6 May

MipTec

Basel

www.miptec.com

12-14 January

CHI PepTalk

San Diego, CA

www.chi-peptalk.com

2-4 February

LabAutomation

San Jose, CA

www.labautomation.org/LA/LA04

29 February – 2 March

ABRF

Portland, OR

www.faseb.org/meetings/abrf2004

8-11 March

Pittcon

Chicago, IL

www.pittcon.org

24-26 May

ASM

New Orleans, LA

www.asm.org

15-18 April

1st Pacific-Rim Conference on Protein Science

Yokohama

www.pssj.jp

19-21 May

3rd International Bio Expo Japan

Tokyo

web.reedexpo.co.jp/bio/english

Germany: 11-14 May Switzerland:

North America

Japan:

Always up to date: http://www.tecan.com/index/com-ev-entry.htm

Monochromator Power for Assay Development and High-Throughput Screening – Safire2 Tecan’s new Safire2 is a fully modular monochromator-based microplate detection system.

Modules for fluorescence intensity top reading, fluorescence intensity bottom reading, fluorescence polarization, multi-channel absorbance, multi-channel luminescence as well as integrated stackers are available.

For the development of new assays, researchers deal with frequently changing applications and fluorophores requiring the optimization of different wavelengths. Safire2 utilizes specially designed fast-scanning double-monochromators for highest sensitivity making the use of optical filters for changing wavelengths in fluorescence and absorbance obsolete. While filterbased systems require new filters for each new wavelength, Safire2 has all wavelengths on board making it effortless for researchers to tune the system according to the needs of the assay and save time, costs and labor.

Safire2 is not only extremely versatile but also features a high measurement speed in all detection modes, which also makes it ideal for high-throughput screening (HTS). The use of the system for assay development and HTS allows researchers to avoid the re-evaluation of the assay on a new system when applying it to an HTS environment. Due to the flexibility, sensitivity and high speed of Safire2, the instrument is the ideal solution to bridge the gap between assay development and HTS. Tecan Journal 1/2004

14

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Local News

Freedom EVO® at Molecular Biology show in Japan We celebrated Freedom EVO’s debut in Japan at the Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan from December 10 to 13, 2003 in Kobe. The exhibition, organized in conjunction with the conference, is one of the most vibrant trade shows in Japan and attracts researchers from both academia and life science industries. It was a great opportunity to give visitors the chance to familiarize themselves with Tecan’s new liquid handling platform and the wide range of products and solutions.

Freedom EVO was exhibited as the high throughput solution for recombinant protein purification with Novagen’s RoboPop™ Purification Kits. The Freedom EVO Nucleic Acid Sample preparation system was another example that demonstrated the versatility of the Freedom EVO concept to the visitors of this year’s MBSJ. In addition, the LS 200 microarray scanner and HS 400 Hybridization station were showcased as the solutions for gene expression studies.

New EVO product line receives a lot of attention in Scandinavia The fourth BioTech Forum took place at The Scandinavian Exhibition and Conference Center in Stockholm (Sweden) from November 26 to 28. At the show, Tecan exhibited the new Freedom EVO® line of instruments for the first time in Scandinavia. This robotics and liquid handling platform allows the automation of research applications such as nucleic acid extraction and purification, which were prominently featured in the magnetic bead separation methods. Automation of clinical diagnostics applications were demonstrated on the new Freedom EVOlyzer, a fully automated ELISA workstation. In addition to new multichannel pipetting options (Aquarius/Autoloader), Tecan’s products for gene expression studies, including the HS 400 array hybridization station and LS 200 laser scanner, further highlighted the width of Tecan’s application expertise. Tecan’s booth attracted a large audience representing attendees from pharma, academia, and clinical diagnostics interested in seeing these instruments in operation and participating in direct discussions with Tecan specialists.

Masthead Tecan Journal Customer Magazine of Tecan Group Ltd. ISSN 1660-5276

Design, Editing and Layout: Northbank Communications Meadowside, Mountbatten Way, Congleton CW12 1DN, UK E-Mail: s.platz@northbankcommunications.com

Circulation: 9,000 copies (German), 10,500 copies (English)

Pre-Press and Printing: DAZ Druckerei Albisrieden AG Grafische Dienstleistungen, Albisriederstrasse 252a, CH-8047 Zürich

Publisher: Tecan Group Ltd.

Copyright: All rights are reserved by Tecan Journal

Editor: Dr. Josef Syfrig

Photos and Illustrations: Tecan Germany GmbH, Tecan Group Ltd, Northbank Communications

Address: Tecan Group Ltd., Seestrasse 103, CH-8708 Männedorf, Switzerland Tel: +41 1 922 88 88 Fax: +41 1 922 88 90 E-Mail: josef.syfrig@tecan.com Internet: http://www.tecan.com

Typography: Type set in Thesis from LucasFonts Subscription: For a free subscription to Tecan Journal, please contact your nearest sales office (see back cover of this issue) or send an e-mail to: tecan@tecan.com

Tecan Journal 1/2004

15

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The right key whatever your nucleic acid preparation

If extraction, purification and amplification of Nucleic Acids of the highest quality and yield – from any sample, using whatever protocol you choose, scaled to meet your current and future needs – is key to your research, then you'll need Tecan's Nucleic Acid Sample Preparation Suite. Whether you perform Nucleic Acid extraction and purification using SPE, magnetic beads, centrifugation or any type of PCR, Tecan offers solutions ranging from small workstations to fully integrated robotic systems designed specifically with the molecular biologist in mind. A wide range of complementary accessories allows for automation of a broad range of the most common protocols and throughput requirements. Take advantage of Tecan's profound expertise in genomics applications, and start enjoying the benefits of a suite of products to unlock your future discoveries.

Genomics • Proteomics • Drug Discovery • Clinical Diagnostics For more information please visit www.tecan.com/nasampleprep or call your nearest Tecan office Austria +43 62 46 89 33 Belgium +32 15 42 13 19 Denmark +45 70 23 44 50 France +33 1 30 68 81 50 Germany +49 79 51 94 170 Italy +39 02 215 21 28 Japan +81 42 334 88 55 Netherlands +31 18 34 48 17 4 Portugal +351 21 000 82 16 Singapore +65 644 41 886 Spain + 34 93 490 01 74 Sweden +46 31 75 44 000 Switzerland +41 1 922 89 22 UK +44 118 9300 300 USA +1 919 361 5200 Other +43 62 46 89 33