Double without the trouble

Drug discovery automation specialist TTP LabTech, has developed the comPOUND Double-Density (D2) sample store that can hold up to twice as many samples as the original comPOUND in the same footprint. By storing two shorter microtubes (0.35ml instead of the standard 1.0ml) in each hole of the carousel, the capacity of each comPOUND D2 unit is doubled to 200,000 tubes. The samples are sent to, and retrieved from, the store using compressed air rather than robotic arms, saving space and minimising moving parts.

Each individual tube can still be cherry-picked and delivered within an average of eight seconds for the 0.35ml tubes. Both tubes from the individual carousel hole are blown up to the top of the comPOUND D2 unit. The tube that isn't required is clamped in the airlock valve. The selected tube is then delivered as usual and the tube that is not required is moved back to its storage location. Importantly, because this process happens within the unit's self-contained environment (down to -20°C, under nitrogen), the non-selected tube is never exposed to the outside atmosphere.

In addition, comPOUND D2's double capacity means that researchers can use larger numbers of the smaller volume tubes so that each tube is re-used less, effectively stopping unnecessary freeze-thaw cycles.

'We are constantly looking at ways of developing our products to give customers increased capacity and throughput,' said Dr Jas Sanghera, TTP LabTech's commercial director.