Herolab describes Spot Hunter as a new generation of robotic proteomic workstation for the fluorescence detection and automatic extraction of selected protein spots after 2D electrophoresis.
Spot Hunter automatically identifies and excises protein spots after electrophoresis
Promising greater flexibility and improved accuracy and reliability, it is available in three sizes including a high throughput model for gels up to 340x290mm.
Spot Hunter works on a three-step process.
A high-resolution CCD camera captures an image of the 2D gels after treatment with common stains such as Coomassie blue, silver stain, or Sypro Ruby.
The Easy4science software then detects the protein spots and creates a target list, which is used to control the picking unit.
Finally the selected spots are extracted automatically, and placed in a standard laboratory microplate.
The high throughout version can do this with up to four plates.
Herolab says the simultaneous detection and extraction of the spot during the downward movement of the needle is a unique feature of the Spot Hunter.
Depending on the gel quality, the cylindrical form of the punched-out spot will not be damaged.
Spot Hunter’s features include an optional gel supporting surface which can be cooled in order to avoid deformation during processing.
Two additional cameras control positioning of the picking unit on the X and Y axes.
The whole process conforms to good laboratory practice (GLP) with the ability to enable exact backtracking to any spot.
The complete process for 96 spots takes less than 20 minutes, says the company.