Retrieving biosamples from GenPlates using the Automated SPA station
The Automated SPA station is useful for processing more than 100 samples per day. This system allows the user to remove GenPlate elements from mother plates to create daughter study plates or cluster tubes. 96 elements can be reformatted in one hour. A computer and the GenVault SPA console software package are included with the system.
More specifically…
- Samples to retrieve are selected via GenConnect software by sending retrieval instructions from GenConnect to the SPA
- If a Dynamic Archive is in use, then the GenPlates are automatically retrieved into stacker
- If a Desktop Archive or a Personal Archive is in use, then the GenPlates must be manually loaded onto the stackers
- The stacker is loaded on to the SPA and the SPA deck is loaded with a daughter plate and punching tips
- The operator uses the SPA console to begin the job
- GenPlates are fed via conveyor from the stacker to the SPA arm; the SPA has a built-in barcode reader which confirms the identity of each GenPlate
- The SPA arm places the GenPlate onto a stage which is then positioned over the appropriate position of the daughter plate
- Then the SPA arm selects a punching tip and punches the appropriate GenPlate element into the daughter plate
- The SPA continues punching until the daughter plate is filled