dragonfly discovery for robust and reliable reagent dispensing

dragonfly^® discovery from SPT Labtech allows ground-breaking and low-volume liquid dispensing that is consistent with an extensive range of applications,  such as biochemical assays, molecular biology and genomics, as well as bead- and cell-based assays.

The innovative dispense technology provides various significant technical benefits:

• Excellent low-volume dispense performance
• Naturally trustworthy
• Ideal for all liquid classes
• No threat of blocked ducts or nozzles
• Wide dynamic dispense range varies from a single syringe type and economical syringe usage
• Developed in collaboration with first-in-class researchers, dragonfly discovery provides remarkable performance and an optimal user experience to streamline adoption into novel application areas.

Image Credit: SPT Labtech

Just walk up and use

Setting up an experiment could not be more straightforward with these three simple steps with no calibration or daily maintenance needs. Users can choose a protocol or set up a new experiment in the innate software package—fit positive displacement syringes and layout reagents, and click run to dispense into the plate of choice.

Greatly improve assay robustness

From aqueous buffers, PCR and DMSO Mastermixes through to cells and uniform viscous basal membrane extracts: dragonfly discovery allows exact and repeatable dispensing beginning from just 200 nL, for robust assays and excellent quality data.

Maximize precious reagents

Make reagents move ahead with assay miniaturization. Whether working with 384- or 1,536-well plate formats, assay miniaturization is perfect for cutting reagent charges, increasing throughput, and normalizing workflows. Having been integrated with completely recoverable, ultra-low dead volumes, this method guarantees that users derive maximal value from their earlier reagents.

Save time

Quick plate fill times, programmable staggered reagent additions, and the least maintenance needs enable researchers to spend their time on high-value scientific tasks, such as scheduling and examining experiments.

Flexible configuration

dragonfly discovery relies on a modular design that adapts to users’ workflow. They can also select from 3, 6, or 10 independent positive displacement dispense heads to suit users’ application and throughput needs.

Users can set them up as an independent benchtop unit or combine them into users’ work cell of choice. The availability of an auto-feed reservoir reagent module raises reagent capacity for high-volume bulk-filling tasks and allows extended walk-away time.

Suitable for low or high throughput assays

Consistent with any SBS plate format across 96-, 384- and 1,536-well plates. Highly controlled dispensing into 96- or 384-well PCR plates is available for sensitive genomics applications and quick bulk dispensing into racked tubes or deep well blocks.

Revolutionizing liquid handling

dragonfly discovery allows precise and repeatable nanoliter to milliliter dispensing, regardless of environmental conditions or liquid viscosity.

Customized to suit users’ application and throughput

• Comes with 3,6, or 10 separate dispense heads
• Availability of assay development software
• Synchronize dispense heads to raise throughput, or select separate head control for reagent flexibility
• Automation package is provided
• Autofeed reservoir module available
• Steadfast genomics accessories that are entirely consistent with the mosquito liquid handlers

Positive displacement dispensing

The true positive displacement syringes have been regulated by separate dispense heads within the instrument.

Key features

• Dispense range varies from 200 nL to 4 mL
• Liquid class agnostic, with no calibration needs
• Non-contact dispensing available for the least syringe consumption
• No cleaning or maintenance need
• Zero chance of clogging or blocking

Volumetric performance

Built for pure performance

• Unrivaled precision: <5% CV at 1 µL
• Outstanding accuracy: <5% error at 1 µL (Artel multichannel verification system)
• Least head-to-head variation: <5% CV throughout all dispense heads

The software

The dragonfly software is as concentrated on usability as it is on functionality:

• Adaptable sequencing of liquid additions
• Highly visual and user-friendly UI
• Saving and loading of complete experiment setup data for complete reproducibility
• Automation of time point experiments, thereby enabling for utmost walk-away time

The dragonfly designer software is known as a complimentary software package that has been specifically developed to fulfill the requirements of assay development scientists:

• The intuitive definition of several concentration gradients, both high dynamic range n-fold and linear available
• Assessment of all well dispense volumes, as well as complete reagent needs
• Definition of technical replicates and controls
• Open source .CSV file output that loads instantly into the dragonfly software package

Integration

Versatile workflow integration

The dragonfly software consists of a completely documented API for 3^rd party integration available with an extensive range of other laboratory instrumentation, such as robotic plate handlers, stackers, and bulk liquid handlers, to obtain walk-away operation in several application areas.

Technical specification

Source: SPT Labtech Limited

Dynamic duo for genomics miniaturization

mosquito^® & dragonfly^® for genomics miniaturization

Volume miniaturization available with automated liquid handlers resolves throughput and charge challenges. This allows genomics scientists to process a more significant number of samples and make savings on reagent use.

The “dynamic duo”—the combination of mosquito’s exact positive displacement pipetting with dragonfly’s non-contact, nanoliter-to-milliliter dispensing—provides proven workflow solutions with an increasing list of more than 40 NGS techniques that has been miniaturized.

Image Credit: SPT Labtech