22.01.2013: Tecan and IBBL (Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg) have successfully co-developed an automated platform for buffy coat extraction based on a Freedom EVO® 200 workstation, relieving scientific staff from performing this time-consuming task, and significantly increasing the yield of DNA.
The process of manually isolating the buffy coat from whole blood is traditionally slow, tedious and very dependent on the skill and dexterity of the technician separating the layers. This lengthy and variable element of sampling has been eliminated by automating the procedure on a Freedom EVO 200 platform, optimized to maximize the yield and quality of the buffy coat and minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
Fay Betsou, Chief of Biospecimen Science at IBBL, explained: “The Freedom EVO’s Liquid Handling (LiHa) Arm pipettes the buffy coat layer with very precise orientation and speed, standardizing the process and eliminating technician-to-technician variation. This gives a purer buffy coat product, with less contamination from red blood cells and hemoglobin and a similar distribution of white blood cells. The results are amazing; the DNA yield is 10-15 % higher using the automated process, and the Freedom EVO system can process 24 samples in just 16 minutes. We are very satisfied with the system, and are looking forward to working with Tecan on another biospecimen research project in the near future.”
To find out more about Tecan’s biobanking solutions, visit www.tecan.com/biobanking
About Tecan
Tecan (www.tecan.com) is a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals, forensics and clinical diagnostics. The company specializes in the development, production and distribution of automated workflow solutions for laboratories in the life sciences sector. Its clients include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments, and forensic and diagnostic laboratories. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments and components that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both Europe and North America and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2011, Tecan generated sales of CHF 377 million (USD 424 million; EUR 306 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TK: TECN/Reuters: TECZn.S/Swiss security number: 1210019).
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www.tecan.com