MALDI tissue spotting solutions at Innovadyne Technologies
Accurate MALDI plate spotting, including tissue spotting, is a critical success factor in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, where compounds must be spotted on a flat, metal MALDI target plate. Positional accuracy and precise deposition of the spots is critical. Classical liquid handlers using contact methods are prone to failure due to plate and tip irregularities and poor positional accuracy (typically > 100 µm/axis). Innovadyne's platforms reliably fulfill critical MALDI spotting requirements with precisely manufactured motion control (<20 µm return to spot accuracy) and high-precision non-contact solenoid dispensing. The aspirate/dispense capabilities of the platform enable rigorous wash routines to be performed between samples.
The Nanodrop II system is configured for use in spotting MALDI plates for protein characterization and quality control of synthetic oligonucleotides. It includes two plate nests for source plates and MALDI plates. Single tip dispensing can be performed for rare compounds, and independent channel spotting enables spotting of unique plate maps. The system is a good fit for performing Oligo QA/QC or for protein characterization. The system has been show to be an effective spotting tool for the analysis of laser capture microdissection (LCM) cells using MALDI.
In the application note "Improved Liquid Handling for MALDI Plate Spotting," developed in conjunction with Biosearch Technologies (Novato, CA), MALDI spotting performance for oligo QC was compared between a Nanodrop II and a BioMek FX from Beckman-Coulter under actual manufacturing use. It was determined that the Nanodrop generated higher quality spots (no missed or doughnut-shaped spots) and better spectra using 1/5 the volume of matrix and 1/10 the volume of oligo required by the Biomek. Laser desorption in five different positions was required for each Biomek spot, whereas one position was sufficient for a Nanodrop spot.
| Nanodrop | Biomek FX |
Matrix spot volume | 100 nL | 500 nL |
Oligo spot volume | 50 nL | 500 nL |
Laser desorption shots per spot | 1 | 5 |
| Biomek FX | Nanodrop | Platemaker(estimated) |
Process time (minutes) | 325 | 231 | 165 |
Features (all platforms)
Two plate nests for source plates and MALDI plates
Single tip access for rare compounds
Independent channel spotting enables spotting of unique plate maps
SBS plate adapters for MALDI plates
Easy to maintain and clean
Simple integration with plate handlers
Environmental control for proteins and oligonucleotides
Flexible aspirate and dispense settings
User defined syringe speeds and pressure set points
Ability to clean nozzles between runs
Low-dead volumes
Large dynamic volume range: 100 nL-40 uL
96, 384, 1536, 3456 plates (including low-profile and deep well)
User-friendly software
Simple to integrate with drivers available from most integrators
Platforms
Item |
Description |
Plate Positions |
8-Tip Head |
16-Tip Head |
96-Tip Head |
Syringe Channels |
1,4, or 8-Tip Additions to all Wells |
11638 |
2 |
Yes |
- |
- |
8 |
Yes |
|
12056 |
1 or 2 |
- |
Yes |
- |
16 |
Yes |
|
11164 |
5 |
Yes |
- |
Yes |
16 |
Yes |
|
12027 |
5 |
Yes |
- |
Yes |
104 |
Yes |
Software
Item |
Description |
11727 |
|
10591 |
Nanodrop GUI (for Nanodrop only) |
Accessories
Item |
Description |
11193 |
|
|
Wide-bore tip set (200 µm) (all platforms) |
Specifications
Return-To-Spot Accuracy | 0.1 mm |
Aspiration Range, 8-Tip Head | 0.1-500µL |
Dispensing Range (8-Tip Non-Contact) | 0.1-40µL |
Dispensing Range (96-Tip) | Screenmaker: 0.1-125µL |
Dispensing Precision, 8-Tip Head | CV<10% at 100nL, CV<7% at 200nL, CV<5% at 1µL |
Dispensing Precision, 96-Tip Head | CV<15% at 100nL, CV<10% at 200nL, CV<5% at 1µL |
Dispensing Accuracy, 8-Tip Head | ±10% at 100nL, ±7% at 200nL, ±5% at >1 µL |
Dispensing Accuracy, 96-Tip Head | Screenmaker: ±10% at 100-500nL, ±5% at >1 500nL |
Dead Volume, 8-Tip head | 1.5µL/channel at 1µL across 384-well plate |
Dead Volume, 96-Tip head | <1µL/channel |
Syringe Capacity | 500, 1000µL |
