Equipped with a digital camera, the RapidPick™ Harvester™ Colony Picker allows the researcher to manually identify sample locations across the microplate or omnitray, or to run any of a variety of imaging programs to automatically select qualified colonies or samples for picking. The Harvester then stores the image and selection coordinates for later picking, or can be directed to pick the selected samples right then. The extracted sample plugs are then transferred to a media-filled growth plate for outgrowth and testing. The Harvester is perfect for stem cell research.
The Harvester is also able to read the output files of cell imagers, like Brooks Automation’s Celligo™ , then go directly to the sample locations identified in their output files to extract individual plugs and transfer them to selected wells in a media-filled growth plate.
The Harvester’s ease-of-use is extraordinary. Users can learn how to operate it with only minutes of training. They can view selected picking locations of sample plates if they wish, and, with a simple point-and-click, delete or add locations at will. This can be done either at the system, or at their office computer.
Options include automated media filling, seal application/removal and incubation.
The RapidPick Harvester Colony Picker can be used for selecting fungal samples, identifying and sampling cellular clusters and for taking sample plugs out of gels. It also enables users to perform ordinary pipetting tasks, such as reformatting plates and transferring liquids among plates.
RapidPick™ Harvester™ Colony Picker: Cellular Samples
The RapidPick Harvester Colony Picker can be joined with cellular imagers, such as Brooks Automation’s Celligo™ imaging cytometer, to pick samples from microplate wells that have been imaged by that instrument. It does this by using the barcode ID of the plate, captured by the imager, then interprets the imager instrument’s output file for that plate. The Harvester can then accurately transform the location coordinates of selected cells, from the imager’s file, directly into coordinates on the Harvester’s deck to provide precise, complete picking of the identified cells.
Plugs from Gels
The Harvester can also serve as a fully-automated, single-tip colony picker, which can extract pin-sample or full plugs of gel-based microbial colonies. The Harvester uses disposable pipette tips, so there is no delay for cleaning and sterilization. Yet, each sample is fully isolated.
