Reliable Reagent Dispensing with dragonfly discovery

dragonfly® discovery provides a novel, low-volume liquid dispensing suitable for various applications such as molecular biology and genomics, biochemical assays, and cell- and bead-based assays.

The Innovative Dispense Technology Offers a Number of Key Technical Advantages

• Suitable for all liquid classes
• Superior low-volume dispense performance
• No risk of blocked ducts or nozzles
• Completely reliable
• Broad dynamic dispense range from a single syringe type and economical syringe usage
• dragonfly discovery, developed in collaboration with world-class scientists, provides great performance and an optimal user experience to encourage adoption into new application domains.

Image Credit: SPT Labtech

Just Walk Up and Use

Setting up an experiment could not be easier with these three simple steps, as no calibration or daily maintenance is required. In the user-friendly software, choose a protocol or create a new experiment—fit positive displacement syringes and arrange reagents. Click run to dispense into the plate of choice

Greatly Improve Assay Robustness

dragonfly discovery offers very accurate and consistent dispensing of aqueous buffers, DMSO, and PCR Mastermixes, as well as cells and viscous basal membrane extracts, starting at 200 nL for robust experiments and excellent quality data.

Maximize Precious Reagents

Assay miniaturization allows users to stretch the reagents further. Using 384- or 1,536-well plate layouts, assay miniaturization is perfect for increasing throughput, lowering reagent costs, and standardizing workflows. Combined with fully recoverable, ultra-low dead volumes, this strategy ensures consumers get the most out of their valuable reagents.

Save Time

Quick plate fill times, configurable staggered reagent additions, and low maintenance requirements allow scientists to focus on high-value scientific tasks such as experiment preparation and analysis.

Flexible Configuration

dragonfly discovery is built around a modular design that adapts to the workflow. Choose from 3, 6, or 10 independent positive displacement dispense heads to meet the application and throughput needs. Setup as a stand-alone benchtop unit or integrated into the preferred workcell. The autofeed reservoir reagent module enhances reagent capacity for high-volume bulk-filling activities while allowing longer walk away time.

Suitable for Low or High Throughput Assays

Compatible with all SBS plate formats (96, 384, and 1,536 wells). Highly regulated dispensing into 96- or 384-well PCR plates is available for sensitive genomics applications, as is quick bulk dispensing into deep well blocks or racking tubes.

Revolutionizing Liquid Handling

Regardless of liquid viscosity or environmental circumstances, SPT Labtech’s innovation enables precise and reproducible nanoliter to milliliter dispensing every time.

Customized to Suit the Application and Throughput

• Autofeed reservoir module
• 3,6, or 10 independent dispense heads
• Synchronize dispense heads to increase throughput, or choose independent head control for reagent flexibility
• Dedicated genomics accessories that are wholly compatible with the mosquito liquid handlers
• Automation package
• Assay development software

Positive Displacement Dispensing

Independent dispense heads situated inside the instrument control the true positive displacement syringes.

Key Features

• Non-contact dispensing for minimal syringe consumption
• No cleaning or maintenance requirement
• 200 nL–4 mL dispense range
• Liquid class agnostic, with no calibration requirement
• Zero chance of blocking or clogging

Volumetric Performance

Built for Pure Performance

• Minimal head-to-head variation: <5% CV across all dispense heads
• Outstanding accuracy: <5% error at 1 µL (Artel multichannel verification system)
• Unrivaled precision: <5% CV at 1 µL

Software

The dragonfly software is equally concerned with usability as it is with capability.

• Highly visual, easy-to-use UI
• Automation of time point experiments, allowing for maximum walk-away time
• Flexible sequencing of liquid additions
• Saving and loading of complete experiment setup data for full reproducibility

The dragonfly designer software is an add-on package built primarily for assay development scientists.

• The intuitive definition of multiple concentration gradients, both linear and high dynamic range n-fold
• Definition of technical replicates and controls
• Calculation of all well dispense volumes, as well as overall reagent requirements
• Open source .CSV file output that loads directly into the dragonfly software package

Integration

Versatile Workflow Integration

To provide walk-away operation in various application areas, the dragonfly software has a fully documented API for 3rd party integration with a broad variety of different laboratory gear, including robotic plate handlers, stackers, and bulk liquid handlers.

Technical Specifications

Source: SPT Labtech

Dynamic Duo for Genomics Miniaturization

mosquito^® and dragonfly^® for Genomics Miniaturization

Volume miniaturization with automated liquid handlers throughput and cost issues, allowing genomics researchers to process more samples while saving money on reagents.

Image Credit: SPT Labtech 

The “dynamic duo,” which combines the highly accurate positive displacement pipetting of the mosquito with the non-contact, nanoliter-to-milliliter dispensing of the dragonfly, provides proven workflow solutions with a growing list of over 40 NGS procedures miniaturized.