Fluxion Biosciences expands its IonFlux automated patch clamp system

Fluxion Biosciences announced today a product expansion for its IonFlux automated patch clamp system which includes full automation and walk-away capability. New software drivers and hardware upgrades enable use of Tecan’s Freedom EVO^® liquid handler series and accessories. This ensures automated plate preparation at a pace that fully optimizes the throughput of Fluxion’s ion channel screening platform.

“The high throughput capability of our IonFlux system makes manual pipetting impractical”

The IonFlux automated patch clamp system provides flexibility, time and cost savings compared with manual patch clamp rigs and first-generation automated electrophysiology systems. It is ideal for a wide range of ion channel screening applications and provides throughput up to 10,000 or more assays per day. The IonFlux system provides an extremely compact plate reader format making it ideal for liquid handler integration. The liquid handler capability is now a standard part of the IonFlux offering and existing systems can be upgraded. “The high throughput capability of our IonFlux system makes manual pipetting impractical,” explained Dr. Cristian Ionescu-Zanetti, Chief Technology Officer of Fluxion. “Automated liquid handling integration enables plate preparation to keep up with IonFlux system throughput, and allows full walk-away capability of up to four hours. Additionally, multiple IonFlux systems can be arrayed with a single liquid handler to increase throughput even more. While many of our customers are integrating the IonFlux system with liquid handlers they already have on site, this integration allows us to deliver a complete automation solution.”

With the Tecan component integration, the IonFlux system is now available with a wide range of options that can be tailored to the customer’s requirements. Available options include incubators, centrifuges for cell handling, dispensers and plate-grippers for liquid handling and plate transfer. Software integration between the two systems ensures simple, single-point control of the entire assay workflow.