Technologies That Enable Accurate and Precise Nano- to Milliliter-Scale Liquid Dispensing of Aqueous Reagents Using Acoustic Droplet Ejection.
Acoustic liquid handling uses high-frequency acoustic signals that are focused on the surface of a fluid to eject droplets with high accuracy and precision for various life science applications. Here we present a multiwell source plate, the Echo Qualified Reservoir (ER), which can acoustically transfer over 2.5 mL of fluid per well in 25-nL increments using an Echo 525 liquid handler. We demonstrate two Labcyte technologies-Dynamic Fluid Analysis (DFA) methods and a high-voltage (HV) grid-that are required to maintain accurate and precise fluid transfers from the ER at this volume scale. DFA methods were employed to dynamically assess the energy requirements of the fluid and adjust the acoustic ejection parameters to maintain a constant velocity droplet. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the HV grid enhances droplet velocity and coalescence at the destination plate. These technologies enabled 5-µL per destination well transfers to a 384-well plate, with accuracy and precision values better than 4%. Last, we used the ER and Echo 525 liquid handler to perform a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to demonstrate an application that benefits from the flexibility and larger volume capabilities of the ER.
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA esackmann@labcyte.com.
Eric K
EK
Sackmann
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Lars
L
Majlof
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Annett
A
Hahn-Windgassen
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Brent
B
Eaton
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Temo
T
Bandzava
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Jay
J
Daulton
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Arne
A
Vandenbroucke
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Matthew
M
Mock
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Richard G
RG
Stearns
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Stephen
S
Hinkson
Labcyte Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Sammy S
SS
Datwani
D000162:Acoustics; D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000379:methods*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012996:Solutions
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012996:Solutions
acoustic droplet ejection; aqueous; droplet bounce; droplet velocity; reservoir