Biotek MicroFlo select, Operator'S Manual

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Handling Special Plates and Test tube racks
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MicroFlo Select Microplate Dispenser
Handling Special Plates and Test tube racks
The MicroFlo supports numerous plate types, but vessels with fewer than 8 rows
require special handling. Some adjustment of or consideration of how the 8-channel
dispense head will address the plate is needed. The MicroFlo’s accessible design makes
this task easy. You’ll enjoy the flexibility it offers, especially for cell-based assays.
The MicroFlo’s
dispense Volume is per Tube or channel , not per well. This is the most
important fact to consider when using these special plates. The Volume defined in a
Quick Dispense or Protocol is the amount each tube will dispense to the well.
When you use multiple tubes to address a well, define the desired volume with this
multiple in mind. For example, two tubes can address each well in a 24-well plate, so
the defined volume, i.e., the volume you input, will be half the desired volume. As
always, be sure to also consider the MicroFlo’s optimal dispense volumes when
designing the dispense protocol, i.e., full aliquots are more accurate than fractions of an
aliquot.
Another tool to consider using with special plates is the Horizontal Dispense Position
setting. You may be able to use it to aim the dispense tubes to a certain region of the
well.
6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-Well Plates
BioTek recommends experimenting with different dispense-tube-to-well
configurations when using these special plates. For some plates, multiple tubes can
dispense to a single well. Conversely, dispense tubes can (and sometimes, must) be
removed from the supply vessel (or from the cassette) to prevent them from missing
the wells.
Testing at BioTek found the following capabilities:
Plate Type Columns/Rows Tubes per Well Tubes removed
6 Well 3 x 2 3 or 4 (4 and 5) or 0
12 Well 4 x 3 2 3 and 6
24 Well 6 x 4 2 0
48 Well 8 x 6 1 3 and 6

6-well plates with 2 rows: three or four tubes can fit in the wells. Remove tubes
4 and 5 to use just three tubes per well. Fewer tubes may be preferred to
preserve cells in certain assays.

12-well plates with 3 rows: two tubes can fit in the wells, so 6 tubes will be
used. Remove tubes 3 and 6.

24-well plates with 4 rows: two tubes can easily fit in these large wells, so all 8
tubes can be used, 2 per well.

48-well plates with 6 rows: requires two tubes, 3 and 6, to be removed.