TTP Labtech delivers hit-picking excellence at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan in the US has automated the selection and processing of compound hits from screens through a technological collaboration that integrates TTP Labtech’s mosquito X1 automated nanolitre pipettor with a microplate mover.

This fully automated system is being used by the University’s High Throughput Screening (HTS) Core, Centre for Chemical Genomics, which has a 150,000-strong library.

The mosquito CherryPicker software controls the mosquito X1 and microplate mover automated platform. TTP Labtech says the unique design of the mosquito nanolitre pipettes allows for multiple aliquots of compound from each pipette, rapidly preparing serial dilution and dose response plates for secondary screens.

‘The mosquito X1 instrument has proven revolutionary in increasing the throughput of our hit selection service,’ said Martha Larsen, director of HTS at the University of Michigan.

‘It is particularly important to us that the mosquito X1 can cherry pick the compounds from the storage plates, and that the instrument can perform dose response dilutions for use in our secondary screening stage. Before we purchased the mosquito we prepared dose response 384-well plates by hand and had to limit screens to 200 compounds at a time. With the mosquito X1 we have been able to increase our screening rate and throughput significantly.’

In addition, the ability of the mosquito X1 to dry spot compounds from the source plates overcomes the commonly encountered issues caused by aliquoting labile molecules in aqueous solutions in advance of the screening experiment. This is particularly beneficial when setting up biological assays that require lengthy set up times, which are often used by this HTS facility.

Joby Jenkins, product manager at TTP Labtech commented: ‘The mosquito X1 instrument provides the speed and efficiency required for HTS facilities. We have worked closely with the HTS Core to provide a platform that is optimised to meet their specific needs. The ability to transfer compounds within a complex, high density microplate format, while avoiding cross-contamination, can boost the throughput of any screening service. Coupling the mosquito X1 instrument with a microplate mover creates a platform that provides a level of walk-away confidence and greater workflow efficiency.’