Tecan Journal Edition 03/2003

ISSN 1660-5276

Tecan Journal English Edition 3/2003 - November 2003

Automated DNA Extraction from Plants Page 4

Aiming to Establish Clinical Proteomics Page 6

Freedom EVO™ for Clinical Diagnostics Pages 10, 12

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Editorial

Contents

Global News

The EVO family is growing fast

Freedom EVO™ – a Platform Concept is Transforming Laboratory Automation

Dear Customer The new Freedom EVO™, launched in July, has received

Page 3

a very warm welcome. Already many of our customers have decided to buy the new platform, demonstrating, that once again because of its extensive experience, Tecan has developed a product that corresponds to the needs in today’s laboratories.

Genomics Automated DNA Extraction from Plants

Page 4

The concept of the modular Freedom EVO platform allows Tecan to offer a range of throughput options and easy integration with other devices. It also makes Freedom EVO the base of application solutions for Tecan’s customers in all business areas,

Proteomics Aiming to Establish Clinical Proteomics

Page 6

ranging from Genomics, Proteomics and Drug Discovery to Clinical Diagnostics. Less than three months after its launch, Tecan was able to present a range of application versions of Freedom EVO at its Innovation Day on September 19th in Männedorf – giving financial analysts and media representatives an impressive picture of Freedom

New Products Freedom EVO™ for Peptide Mass Finger-printing Sample Preparation

Page 9

EVO’s fast growing family.

In recent years Tecan has been preparing to meet the requirements of the EU In Vitro Diagnostic Directive 98/79/EC (IVD-D), which aims to further improve the safety, quality and efficacy of diagnostic medical devices. Freedom EVO platforms for Clinical

Clinical Diagnostics

Diagnostics will be compliant with the requirements of the IVD-D. We are confident

In Vitro Diagnostic Directive: Tecan is Well Prepared to Assist You

Page 10

that our preparations have resulted in the highest possible safety standards of products and services for our customers.

Tecan’s new range of solutions for Clinical Diagnostics will be on display at the Medica trade show in Düsseldorf from November 19th to 22nd, we hope to see you there.

Yours faithfully,

Clinical Diagnostics Freedom EVO™ for Clinical Diagnostics

Page 12 Events

Preview on Conferences and Trade Shows 2003 and 2004

Michael Baronian Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tecan Group Ltd

Page 14 New Products Tecan’s new 384-channel pipetting head Two new disposable troughs for reagents

Page 15

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Global News

Freedom EVO™ – a Platform Concept is Transforming Laboratory Automation

A wide range of applications implemented on Freedom EVO with various deck sizes were on display at Tecan’s Innovation Day. At its Innovation Day in September,

different application needs of customers.

The Innovation Day was concluded with

Tecan presented a range of applications

From delivering the highest possible flexibility

a factory tour. Participants could assure

on its recently launched Freedom EVO

through its modular open design up to

themselves of the rapid acceptance of the

automation platform to demonstrate

compliance with the very latest regulatory

new platform by the market as more than

how its modular concept will influence

requirements, the Freedom EVO platform

50 percent of the instruments in production

laboratory work of customers.

enables applications across all of Tecan’s

were already new Freedom EVO type

business areas of Genomics, Proteomics,

platforms.

On the occasion of Tecan’s Innovation Day on 19 September, and less than three months

Drug Discovery and Diagnostics.

In conclusion, the visitors at the

after the launch in July, Tecan was able to

The instruments on display at the event

Innovation Day received not only a better

present a remarkable range of applications

included:

understanding of the innovative and far

implemented on Freedom EVO. Around 50

• Freedom EVO 75 (available early 2004).

reaching concept behind the Freedom EVO

financial analysts and media representatives

• Freedom EVO 100 configured for nucleic

platform, but also an impressive picture of

attended the event at Tecan’s headquarters

acid sample preparation applications in

in Männedorf, which focused on Tecan’s

genomics.

platform strategy and the resulting product – the Freedom EVO series. By offering increased flexibility and regulatory compliance for both existing and future customer needs, Tecan’s Freedom EVO automation platform is extending the company’s leadership position in liquid handling for the Life Science industry.

Demonstrations and presentations showed how Tecan’s new platform, which is founded on over 20 years of experience, is transforming laboratory automation for the many

Freedom EVO’s fast growing product family.

• Freedom EVO 150 set up as GenePaint for preparing tissue sections for gene expression studies.

• Freedom EVO 150 configured for protein digestion applications.

• Freedom EVO 200 for high-throughput screening in drug discovery.

• Freedom EVOlyzer for clinical diagnostics applications.

• Workstation for testing beef for BSE

Tecan’s product managers explained the details of specific instruments and were available for visitors’ questions.

(bovine spongiform encephalopathy) infection.

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Genomics

Automated DNA Extraction from Plants High-throughput purification of plant DNA on a Tecan Freedom EVO™ Nucleic Acid Sample Preparation workstation

A high-throughput plant DNA isolation technology has been established to support projects that help to find better solutions for the control of plant diseases.

Research on plant diseases

The Tecan Freedom EVO Nucleic Acid Sample

Automation

Downy mildew, caused by the oomycete

Preparation workstation is a highly flexible

The Tecan Freedom EVO Nucleic Acid Sample

Plasmopara viticola, is one of the most

platform for fully automated plant DNA

Preparation workstation is designed for

important grape (Vitis vinifera) diseases,

extraction in a 96-well format. Moreover,

the automation of plant DNA extraction

which needs to be controlled by preventive

with the use of appropriate storage modules

with kits such as the Macherey-Nagel

fungicide application to reduce its erratic

within the Freedom EVO Nucleic Acid Sample

NucleoSpin® 96 Plant. The instrument is

appearance and high reproduction potential.

Preparation workstation, multiple batches

equipped with 8 pipetting channels for

One of the research areas of the group of

of 96 samples can be isolated without any

disposable tips and a robotic manipulator

Cesare Gessler at the Institute of Plant

manual user interaction.

(RoMa) arm. The Gemini software package is used for control of the process, and all steps

Sciences of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich is to investigate the

Extraction principle

requiring vacuum conditions are performed

mechanisms and to find better solutions for

After the plant samples have been

using the integrated Te-VacS module.

the control of this disease. Four microsatellite

homogenized DNA can be extracted through

markers have been developed to clarify

lysis buffers containing denaturing agents

unknown aspects of epidemiology and

and detergents. Lysis mixtures are cleared by

genetic variability of the pathogen.

centrifugation in order to remove residual

A high-throughput plant DNA isolation technology has been established to support the projects in this laboratory. The automation of this method plays a pivotal role in many large plant genotyping projects, such as population studies, plant breeding, GMO investigations and many others. However, throughput, quality and quantity of total DNA prepared are often the limiting steps

cellular debris. The clear supernatant is mixed with binding buffer containing chaotropic salts and ethanol to create conditions for optimal binding to the silica

The complete automated process is divided into three steps. Lysis of the material in the incubator for 30 minutes, centrifugation for 20 minutes and finally the cleaning up performed by Freedom EVO with Vacuum pumps, taking 70 minutes for 96 samples.

This adds up to a total processing time of 2 hours for 96 samples.

membrane. After washing with two different buffers, DNA can be eluted in low salt buffer or water and is ready-to-use for subsequent reactions such as PCR, RAPD, AFLP or Southern blotting.

The process Plant leaves were freeze-dried for 12 hours and, after weight determination, were ground in a Round-well Block with

for downstream genetic analysis.

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Genomics

Figure. 3 HTP extraction of DNA from Plasmopara viticola. The obligate biotrophic parasitic oomycete Plasmopara viticola is the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew.

P. viticola DNA was co-extracted with Figure 2: PCR from extracted Plant DNA. Plant DNA from different plant species was amplified

Vitis vinifera DNA from infected leaves

with the primer pair for the TrnL Intron (Taberlet et al., Plant Mol Biol. 1991 (5):1105-9). 1 µl of DNA

(96 samples). DNA extraction was performed

from different individual extractions was used as template in 50 µl reaction volume. 7 µl of the

using NucleoSpin® 96 Plant on a Freedom EVO

PCR reaction were loaded on a 2% agarose gel in 1x TBE and were run at 90V for 3.5h. Similar

Nucleic Acid Sample Preparation workstation.

results demonstrating the quality and reproducibility of the automated DNA extraction were also

After PCR amplification with the SSR marker

received for the following plant species: sunflower, strawberry and maize (not shown).

CES specific to Plasmopara viticola DNA, the

(M = Marker; a, b, c, d =Sample, duplicate amplification; K=Control).

fragments were loaded onto a 1% agarose gel.

3mm metal beads in a Retsch MM300 mixer

purposes) up to 75mg (preparative run).

Data kindly provided by G. Valsesia and

mill. Grinding was performed at 30 s-1 for

Depending on sample type, extraction yield

D. Gobbin of the group of Cesare Gessler at

20 seconds.

was consistently within 120-420ng DNA per

the Institute of Plant Sciences, Swiss Federal

mg dried plant tissue. Purified DNA was free

Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland.

Ground plant samples and reagents from the NucleoSpin® 96 Plant kit were placed on the deck of the Freedom EVO Nucleic Acid Sample Preparation workstation and the

of PCR inhibiting contaminants as shown by accurate and homogeneous amplification results (Fig. 2; Fig. 3).

automated process was started. The final elution volume was 100 µl.

Conclusion The Freedom EVO Nucleic Acid Sample

Specific Polymerase Chain Reactions of extracted plant DNA samples were performed using a primer pair for the TrnL Intron (Taberlet et al., Plant Mol Biol. 1991 (5):1105-9). 1 to 5 µl of extracted DNA was used as a template. Parasitic specific amplification (Fig. 3) was achieved with the SSR marker CES specific to Plasmopara viticola DNA.

Results Fast and reliable DNA extraction was

Preparation workstation in conjunction with the NucleoSpin®96 Plant kit guarantees reliable plant DNA extraction with excellent results: • 96 samples are processed in about 120 minutes.

• Homogeneous yields from a broad range of plant species.

• DNA is ready-to-use for downstream applications including PCR, Southern Blot and customer specific applications such as analysis of co-extracted parasite DNA.

achieved using ground, freeze-dried leaves from various plant species. Sample size ranged from 5mg (for amplification

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Proteomics

Aiming to Establish Clinical Proteomics Tecan’s technology advancing together with research customers Following the sequencing of the entire human genome, the age of post-genome sequencing has arrived. Post-genomic studies cover a wide variety of approaches and subjects, and a number of researchers from various institutes are working very hard in this field, tackling the studies from various dimensions. These range from genomic functional analyses based on protein analysis, to attempts to use genetic polymorphisms or quantitative profiling of genetic expression as markers. Dr. Toshihide Nishimura and Dr. Takao Kawakami from Medical ProteoScope Co., Ltd. (MPS) are advancing research in clinical proteomics.

Their aim is to establish a systematic protein analysis at clinical sites in

Toshihide Nishimura, Ph.D. CTO,

Takao Kawakami, Ph.D. Head, Proteomics

Medical ProteoScope Co., Ltd

Group, Medical ProteoScope Co., Ltd

Professor, Clinical Proteome Center,

Research Associate, Clinical Proteome Center,

Tokyo Medical University.

Tokyo Medical University.

high sample quality standard resulting in a

integrating liquid chromatography (LC) and

more effective analysis to meet project targets.”

MS. With this system, sample proteins are

collaboration with Tokyo Medical University. The flexibility of Tecan’s Genesis Workstation has contributed to the success of their high throughput analysis system.

This is the first attempt at collaborative

digested in liquid. The resulting peptides

While many genomic researchers are actively

proteomics research in Japan, which closely

are then analyzed by multi-dimensional LC

engaged in studying SNPs or gene expression

connects clinical sites and a research center.

followed directly by MS. By analyzing peptide

to utilize genetic information for clinical purposes, not as many attempts have been

mass numbers and amino acid sequences,

Need to establish high throughput analysis systems

proteins in the sample cells or organs can

made to utilize proteomics findings. MPS was founded in November 2002 with the

Currently, there is a broad range of protein

human samples without pre-isolation of the

aim of establishing clinical proteomics.

analysis methods available. Among them

expressed protein and it does this at a high

The Company is lead by experienced drug

is the widely used combination of two-

speed and with high protein identification

researchers from proteomics laboratories

dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass

accuracy and reliability.

of several global pharmaceutical companies

spectrometry (MS). 2-DE is ideally suitable

and other Japanese research institutes. MPS

for protein analysis of phosphorylation and

has established a unique collaboration with

post-translational modifications with lipids

Tokyo Medical University to help in the

or carbohydrate chains. The disadvantage of

collection of samples and medical history

this method is, however, that it can only

while honoring patients’ privacy.

analyze highly soluble proteins and resolves

Comprehensive collaborations with the

only 2,000 – 3,000 types of proteins. This is

Universities give MPS significant advantage

insufficient considering that a human cell

in securing a stable supply of high sample

contains more than 10,000 types of proteins,

quality while being able to maintain ethical

including post-translational modifications.

care and support. Dr. Nishimura stated,

Another disadvantage is that the method

“We analyze blood and organ tissue collected

requires complicated manual procedures,

from patients who are receiving clinical

which limit the number of samples one

treatment in the hospital. The clinicians

can analyze in a given amount of time

correctly assess the patient’s disease history

and resource.

and medication, and attach the information

In order to overcome these limitations, MPS

because it involves gels, but our system with

to the samples. This enables us to maintain a

developed a proprietary system based on

LC and MS can handle two human samples

be identified. The system is able to handle

In contrast to 2-DE, MPS’s system can detect low abundant membrane proteins, which are of special importance for drug discovery.

MPS has already succeeded in automating their method and reaching a high throughput analysis rate. Tokyo Medical University hospital is one of the largest hospitals in the city with 2020 beds. It is easily expected that the number of sample cases that will be brought to the clinical proteome center annually reach into the hundreds. Therefore, it is vital to have a high throughput system to handle such a large number of samples.

Dr. Nishimura commented, “It is difficult to automate 2-DE high throughput analysis

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Proteomics

Workflow at Medical ProteoScope

per day and can complete the proteome

Genesis Workstation since it proved to be

analysis of 200-400 human samples per year.

able to carry out the in-liquid digest process

Our proteome center possesses six complete

with the highest level of reliability and

systems and can handle 1200-2400 human

reproducibility.”

samples per year. With this system, MPS has one of the largest clinical proteomic analysis capacities in the world.”

A key to successful performance of high throughput microanalysis is the in-liquid digestion method and other preparation steps. Manual handling of the sample preparation is quite error prone, even if performed carefully by well-trained and dedicated technicians. Most of the analysis targets a small amount of components of around 1000 molecules. One has to be able to detect these target proteins as potential biomarkers. As Dr. Kawakami commented, “There are no two identical samples in the

High flexibility of Tecan’s Genesis workstation Further he says, “The high throughput sample pipetting capability of the Genesis not only contributes to successful research results, but also provides a high degree of flexibility in terms of selecting the number of tip

“Tecan’s products are very flexible and easy to integrate into a system.”

channels used at a time, tip spacing, pipetting speed and the ability to handle various sizes or shapes of vessels. A wide variety of options and modules can also be easily integrated, which helps in finding the most suitable solution to the various protocols in different laboratories.

world, because each patient comes from a

People often make the mistake of thinking

It is true that there are some so-called ‘hard’

different background. If the sample handling

that simply buying and installing laboratory

instruments, which do not allow for much

is not accurate and standardized, one will

equipment off-the-shelf will result in a

adjustment and customization. These are not

never learn anything significant from the

convenient and useful system. But you have

easy to integrate into an automated analysis

analysis results. Therefore, it is vital to

to know exactly what you are trying to

procedure. In contrast, Tecan’s products are

implement standardized sample handling,

achieve in order to optimize the setups and

very flexible and easy to integrate into a

in order to make sure the difference between

be satisfied with their convenience and

system. I think they were carefully designed

the individual samples is the result of the

effectiveness. Optimization can be done based

to meet researchers’ needs. For example, we

difference in the sample and not variances in

on the scale of your research or specifications

were impressed that individual tips of Tecan’s

the analysis procedure. MPS chose the Tecan

of the instruments involved.

sample processor detect liquid and dispense accurately into any kinds of vessel.”

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Proteomics

“MPS chose the Tecan Genesis Workstation since it proved to be able to carry out the inliquid digest process with the highest level of reliability and reproducibility.”

The flexibility of the Tecan Genesis Workstation has contributed to the success of the high throughput analysis system of Medical Proteoscope.

Dr. Nishimura added, “Although it is often

MPS’ systems were installed and setup

said that others can catch up with state-of-

was completed in May 2003 with final

the-art technology within five years, it is still

adjustments after that. All six systems

always possible to advance new technologies,

projects have now been launched, and the

which can lead to the next generation, if you

systems are waiting for full-scale operation.

keep on trying to foresee what is coming next

“The proteome is at the core of what makes

and improving your technologies and never

living things work. The protein molecules are

being content with the present status or

the most significant target molecules for

achievement.” This philosophy held by MPS

pathology and pharmacology at this time.

matched Tecan’s and allowed researchers

By focusing on the proteome, we believe we

and specialists in both organizations to

will be able to identify key proteins which

collaborate in developing new technology

can become target molecule biomarkers,”

based on the equipment to create an

said Dr. Nishimura.

excellent cutting edge system.

This article was originally published on September 25 in Nikkei Science (November 2003 edition).

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New Products

Freedom EVO™ for Peptide Mass Finger-printing Sample Preparation

Digestion application on the worktable of Freedom EVO.

Important Proteomics applications are now

separated proteins for MS to identify new

The implementation of the protein digestion

implemented and will soon be available

or modified proteins.

and crystallization solutions on the Freedom

together with the benefits of Tecan’s new platform.

Tecan’s Freedom EVO represents an optimal platform for fully automated MS sample

In academic, biotech and pharmaceutical

preparation from digestion, extraction and

proteomics laboratories, there is a particular

purification of peptides from gel plugs up

need for efficient systems that automate the

to spotting onto a choice of MALDI target

process of preparation of proteins for mass

plates. The automation of the sample

spectrometry (MS) analysis. As a response

preparation process for MS on the Freedom

to this demand, Tecan had developed two

EVO provides a set of unique benefits:

automated solutions for MS sample

• The high precision of the Freedom EVO

preparation: a standard solution providing moderate preparation throughput and a high performance application for highest throughput demands, the so-called “Advanced Digest.” These well-proven solutions implemented on the Freedom EVO are giving proteomics customers access to all the benefits of this new platform.

Protein digestion is used for preparing samples for MS. In a so-called peptide mass finger-printing method, a protein is digested by specific proteases into a unique set of

EVO platform signals a further important step in Tecan’s commitment to proteomics.

enables highest resolution sensitivity important for digestion applications.

• The system is compatible with the market leading MS systems: e.g. ABI, Micromass, Bruker etc.

• Direct spotting of samples onto MALDI target plates offering unmatched sample recovery (Advanced Digest only).

• Throughput is scalable from medium to high.

• Considerable time savings by relieving laboratory staff of repetitive tasks.

peptide fragments that can be detected

Protein crystallization is a second area

by MS and be used to identify the original

of proteomics with a growing demand for

protein from databases of modified proteins.

automated solutions. Tecan now also offers

The protein digestion approach has become

its well proven applications for crystallization

the most accepted methodology to prepare

on the new Freedom EVO platform.

Tecan Journal 3/2003

Spotting on a MALDI target plate.

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Clinical Diagnostics

In Vitro Diagnostic Directive: Tecan is Well Prepared to Assist You

Improving quality of results and safety for patients: automated tracking of bar-coded specimens by Pos-ID2 on the new Freedom EVO for Clinical Diagnostics.

Tecan has taken efforts to ensure that its

review of its Quality System. The directive

products for Clinical Diagnostics meet all

sets out to improve the safety, quality and

the safety and validation requirements of

effectiveness of diagnostic medical devices

• Sunrise: microplate reader.

the forthcoming IVD-Directive 98/79/EC

by applying the very latest standards in

• Columbus: microplate washer.

(IVD-D) of the European Union.

these areas. The directive also seeks to

• Magellan: Data reduction software.

improve the development, production and

• ProfiBlot: Blotting systems.

Performance, features, size and design are things that the customer can easily judge and compare when choosing an instrument.

But the safety, quality and performance of an instrument are more sensitive issues that

applying directives that are intended to protect users and assure the quality of results generated by the in vitro diagnostics devices.

The IVD Directive Building on Tecan’s regularly audited ISO 9001 certification, first obtained in April 1994, Tecan has been preparing for the IVD-D with ISO13485 certification and a thorough

Clinical Diagnostics.

quality of after sales service for the customer. to encourage the free movement of goods

Tecan’s IVD-D compliant solutions for clinical diagnostics

that meet the highest safety standards.

Tecan is using its portfolio of IVD-D compliant

In addition, the IVD-D has been implemented

products and platforms to offer customers

are generally regulated by governmental bodies. The European Union (EU) is now

• Freedom EVO software for

Tecan’s IVD-D product portfolio for clinical diagnostics

the widest possible range of solutions for

To meet the requirements of the IVD

The flexibility and scalability of the Freedom

Directive, Tecan has strengthened its

EVO platform and its software mean that

broad portfolio of products and platforms.

Tecan will provide out-of-the-box solutions

Tecan’s IVD-compliant portfolio includes:

for Clinical Diagnostics such as:

• Freedom EVO™ platforms for Clinical

• Fully automated EIA processing

Diagnostics: Tecan’s flexible and scalable

diagnostic and other Life Science applications.

(Freedom EVOlyzer).

new series of IVD-D compliant robotic

• Sample distribution.

platforms.

• Blood typing.

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Clinical Diagnostics

Improving performance and user safety: Large safety panels and door locks are now standard features on the Freedom EVO. A continuous loading option permits the exchange of racks and carriers while the cover shields are closed and operation is in progress.

• Blood sample pooling.

• Molecular diagnostic applications.

In addition, the Freedom EVO platform enables Tecan to reconfigure components and leverage existing developments, thus bringing new and validated solutions rapidly to the market.

Tecan’s IVD-D compliant solutions will be on display at the MEDICA 2003 trade Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany (19-22 November 2003).

New meaning of CE mark for clinical diagnostics Products that meet the requirements of the IVD-D will be able to display the CE mark for conformity with the regulations. The CE mark will ensure customers worldwide that Tecan products are developed, produced and documented according to the new EU Directive.

In Vitro Diagnostic Directive 98/79/EC (IVD-D) Background: • First published as Directive 98/79/EC on December 7, 1998.

• Implementation of the Directive into national legislation.

• After December 7, 2003: Only products, which are CE marked according to the IVD-D may be put into distribution.

• All IVD devices put into distribution before December 7, 2003, and which do not comply with the provisions of the IVD Directive must be put into service before December 7, 2005.

Purpose: • Harmonize European regulations for in vitro diagnostics.

• Ensure safety, quality and efficacy of diagnostic medical devices.

• Improve development, production and after sales services.

• Free movement of goods within the EU.

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Clinical Diagnostics

Freedom EVO™ for Clinical Diagnostics

Based on its considerable experience in laboratory automation, Tecan now offers a new series of IVD-D compliant robotic platforms.

Tecan’s new IVD-D compliant platform

Freedom to evolve

concept provides access to automated

Freedom EVO is an open platform for

Freedom EVO for clinical diagnostics offers unique features:

solutions with the highest possible safety

many clinical diagnostic applications. The

• Customizable workspace that can be

and performance standards

new series offers deck sizes of 75, 100, 150

adapted to the need of the clinical and

Tecan implemented its automated liquid

and 200cm that allow choosing the optimal

blood bank laboratory for different assay

handling solutions for clinical diagnostics on

instrument for your laboratory space and

its next generation of automation platforms

throughput requirements. Tecan will focus

– the resulting product is Freedom EVO for

on implementing new technologies and

Clinical Diagnostics. The new series of IVD-D

features to allow new applications and to

compliant robotic platforms builds on

evolve the quality, safety and performance of

with a range of disposable tips sizes and

Tecan’s considerable experience in laboratory

the Freedom EVO in the clinical diagnostics

fixed tips that guarantee optimal liquid

automation.

and blood bank environment. Diagnostic

handling performance. Freedom EVO

customers worldwide therefore will have

even allows combinations of different

Tecan’s Freedom EVO platform and IVD compliance

access to the very latest IVD-D compliant

The Freedom EVO has been designed

sample distribution, blood typing, blood

to comply with to the new In Vitro

sample pooling and molecular diagnostics.

solutions for applications such as EIA processing,

requirements.

• Liquid handling arm with 4 or 8 tips with integrated liquid detection.

• The Liquid handling arm can be operated

tip configurations.

• In sensitive applications the optional low disposable tip eject helps to prevent contamination.

• Up to eight XP Smart dilutors.

Diagnostics Directive of the European

• Automated tracking of bar-coded

be marked with a CE label that declares

Implementing the latest safety features

the conformity of the Instrument with this

A range of features that offer improved user

• Fully integrated status lamp showing the

important new directive. Building on its

safety support the Freedom EVO platform.

well-established ISO 9001 Quality management

Bigger sized safety panels and door locks are

system, Tecan Schweiz AG, manufacturing

now standard features of the Freedom EVO.

site of the Freedom EVO, has also recently

A continuous loading option permits the

been certified according to EN ISO 13485.

exchange of racks and carriers while the

The objective of our efforts is to provide high

cover shields are closed and operation is in

quality and safe instruments to our customers.

progress. Simultaneously the associated

Available from 2004:

loading interface monitors user access to

• Liquid handling arm with 2 tips with

Community (IVD-D; 98/79 EC). It will therefore

the worktable.

specimens by Pos-ID2. operational status of the instrument.

• Large safety panel and doorlocks allows safe operation of the system.

• Easy accessible pause/resume button at the front of the instrument.

integrated liquid detection.

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Clinical Diagnostics

Tecan’s Freedom EVO for Clinical Diagnostics and Freedom EVOlyzer will be on display at the MEDICA 2003 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany (19-22 November 2003) Blood typing application on Freedom EVO.

• Optional Loading Interface for continuous loading and monitoring of operator interaction.

• Optional robotic manipulator arm for plate transport.

Easy-to-use software for operation of Freedom EVO Tecan’s Freedom EVO is supported by two comprehensive easy-to-use software packages.

Freedom EVOlyzer - IVD-D compliant, fully automated EIA processing The Freedom EVOlyzer is Tecan’s new Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) analyzer offering fully automated microplate processing. Freedom EVOlyzer is a dedicated EVO platform for reliable EIA Processing and includes state of the art reader, washer and incubation units operated by the new specific EVOlyzer software. The Freedom EVOlyzer will be available in four sizes - 75, 100, 150, 200 - ideal for low to high throughput and various batch size requirements.

Continuous loading and parallel sample pipetting as new features improve throughput and allow efficient utilization as well as optimal scheduling of laboratory tasks.

Communication with the laboratory LIMS and flexible worklist management is easily

The new Freedom EVO software for Clinical

performed via an integrated ASTM (American Society for Testing of Materials) interface.

Diagnostics delivers a new standard for

The Freedom EVOlyzer 100 and 150 will be released as first instruments of the new series

managing liquid handling in the laboratory.

with new and powerful software early in 2004.

Designed to meet the requirements of the IVD-D, the new software allows safe and easy

Application. Microplate based assays have a wide range of applications, ranging from

operation of routine tasks, whilst effectively

blood bank laboratories to hospitals, reference and veterinary laboratories. Designed as

documenting the process execution. Software

an open system, the Freedom EVOlyzer allows automation of commercially available EIAs.

user management allows skilled and trained

Tecan offers courses to train technical personal and supervisors in operation and set up

operators to setup new processes and to

of processes to secure reliable and IVD-D compliant operation of the instrument. Validated

document validation of protocols by elec-

protocols can be protected against unauthorized modifications to enable the safety and

tronic signatures to protect your protocols

security of operators and patients.

from unauthorized modifications.

Tecan’s well-accepted and sample oriented Logic software for routine tasks in the laboratory can now also be used with the Freedom EVO. It provides known performance to the users and allows a smooth integration of the new Freedom EVO platform. Work listing and report files are unchanged to previous Logic versions to keep differences as small as possible.

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Events

Tecan on the Road Preview on Conferences and Trade Shows 2003 and 2004 Date

Event

Location

Medica

Düsseldorf

www.medica.de

SPS 2003 Congress

Basel

www.fontismedia.com/ext/sps03

Annual Meeting of the Molecular

Kobe

wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/mbsj/index-e.html

International Biotech & Europe LabAutomation

London

www.labautomationeurope.com

AABB

San Diego, CA

Germany: 19-22 November Switzerland: 2-4 December Japan: 10-13 December

Biology Society of Japan UK: 25-26 November North America: 1-4 November

www.aabb.org/Professionals/ Professional_Development/ Annual_Meeting/annual_mtg.htm

2-4 February 2004

LabAutomation

San Jose, CA

www.labautomation.org

8-11 March 2004

Pittcon

Chicago, IL

www.pittcon.org

8-13 August 2004

Drug Discovery Technology

Boston, MA

www.drugdisc.com

Always up to date: http://www.tecan.com/index/com-ev-entry.htm

Freedom EVO™ was the Star at this Year’s AACC and DDT Tecan had a major presence at AACC 2003, the pre-eminent industry meeting for clinical diagnostics from 20 to 24 July 2003 in Philadelphia (MA). Two new products were showcased at the company’s booth including a new Tube Inspection Unit, TIU for the Genesis FE500 Workcell, and the launch of Freedom EVO, a platform for a number of solutions in Clinical Diagnostics, which meets worldwide regulatory requirements.

Drug Discovery Technology (DDT), a leading annual industry meeting, in Boston (MA) from 10 to 15 August 2003 also saw several new Tecan solutions. New automation technologies including The new Freedom EVO platform was one of

Freedom EVO and an animated video presentation of its corresponding control management

the highlights on the Tecan booth at this

software, Freedom EVOware, were showcased together with GENios Pro with injectors.

year’s AACC.

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New Products

A new level of precision in parallel pipetting: Tecan’s 384-channel head The new 384-channel pipetting head allows a broad volume range and high precision dispensing required for increasing throughput of many applications in drug discovery, genomics and proteomics. Uniquely, the pipetting head features a liquid-filled system enabling superior precision, even at low volumes, as well as a new efficient washing system.

The 384-channel pipetting head allows fast, accurate and reliable sample dispensing of volumes from 200 nl to 50 µl. Due to the lower compressibility of liquid compared to air, the fluid-filled head offers an outstanding pipetting precision over a wide range of volumes.

To minimize cross contamination during pipetting, a highly efficient washing process has been introduced that uses the system liquid and an active wash station. The system liquid is used to wash the inner surface of the pipetting needle while the outer surface is washed by the wash station. The result is a wash performance that meets the requirements of applications with the highest possible standards of purity.

The 384-channel head is compatible with both smaller and larger automated pipetting systems, including Tecan’s bench top multi pipetting system, the Aquarius; the Te-MO family of multichannel pipettors on Genesis and Freedom EVO; and larger automated systems using rail-based articulated robots (TRAC system).

Two new disposable troughs for reagents Tecan pays attention to every detail in the development of laboratory solutions that allow you to carry out your pipetting tasks more efficiently. Our new disposable polypropylene troughs for reagents hold a nominal reagent volume of 100 ml and come in either natural (transparent) or, for light sensitive reagents, grey polypropylene. The natural disposable troughs are certified DNA and DNase/RNase free, do not contain any PCR-inhibitors and are free of ATP, pyrogens and are sterile.

The bottom of the disposable trough with its new more acute bevel angle serves to reduce the residual volume. Scaling on the wall of the new troughs is divided into 10 ml steps from 10 ml up to 100 ml.

Masthead Tecan Journal Customer Magazine of Tecan Group Ltd. ISSN 1660-5276

Design, Editing and Layout: Northbank Communications Meadowside, Mountbatten Way, Congleton CW12 1DN, UK E-Mail: s.platz@northbankcommunications.com

Circulation: 8,700 copies (German), 10,400 copies (English)

Pre-Press and Printing: DAZ Druckerei Albisrieden AG Grafische Dienstleistungen, Albisriederstrasse 252a, CH-8047 Zürich

Publisher: Tecan Group Ltd.

Copyright: All rights are reserved by Tecan Journal

Editor: Dr. Josef Syfrig

Photos and Illustrations: Tecan Germany GmbH, Tecan Group Ltd, Northbank Communications

Address: Tecan Group Ltd., Seestrasse 103, CH-8708 Männedorf, Switzerland Tel: +41 1 922 88 88 Fax: +41 1 922 88 90 E-Mail: josef.syfrig@tecan.com Internet: http://www.tecan.com

Typography: Type set in Thesis from LucasFonts Subscription: For a free subscription to Tecan Journal, please contact your nearest sales office (see back cover of this issue) or send an e-mail to: tecan@tecan.com

Tecan Journal 3/2003

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Designed for safe liquid handling

Some solutions can be simple. If you’re looking for flexibility and scalability over a wide range of clinical diagnostic applications, but need to keep safety at the top of your priorities, the solution is simple. The new Freedom EVO for Clinical Diagnostics has been designed for automated applications, such as sample distribution, blood typing, blood pooling, molecular diagnostics and, with the Freedom EVOlyzer, fully automated ELISA processing. Available in four sizes from 75 to 200 cm in length, Freedom EVO for Clinical Diagnostics offers standard safety features, such as an integrated status lamp, large safety panels and doorlocks. Additional features, like an optional loading interface with monitoring of operator interaction and a sophisticated barcode scanning device top this comprehensive solution off. To put your mind at rest, full compliance with the EU-IVD directive guarantees that, whatever your applications, you’ll do them safely.

And, of course, with Tecan quality and reliability comes as standard.

Genomics • Proteomics • Drug Discovery • Clinical Diagnostics For more information please visit www.tecan.com/freedomevoclinical or call your nearest Tecan office Austria +43 62 46 89 33 Belgium +32 15 42 13 19 Denmark +45 70 23 44 50 France +33 1 30 68 81 50 Germany +49 79 51 94 170 Italy +39 02 215 21 28 Japan +81 42 334 88 55 Netherlands +31 18 34 48 17 4 Portugal +351 21 000 82 16 Singapore +65 644 41 886 Spain + 34 93 490 01 74 Sweden +46 31 75 44 000 Switzerland +41 1 922 89 22 UK +44 118 9300 300 USA +1 919 361 5200 Other +43 62 46 89 33