96-Channel Automated Pipetting Workstation for Drug Discovery Screening

Product Introduction

Drug discovery screening laboratories process compound libraries across 96- and 384-well plates, requiring serial dilution for dose-response curves and precise compound addition across assay plates. The YA200-3 addresses two critical challenges in screening workflows: the time-consuming and error-prone manual serial dilution process, and the 96-to-384 format transfer needed for assay miniaturization.

The built-in gradient dilution function automates serial dilution across plate columns. For a 1:3 dilution series across 8 concentrations, the system aspirates compound, performs the first dilution, mixes by repeated aspiration and dispensing, then transfers to subsequent columns — completing a full 96-well 8-point dilution in approximately 4 minutes with precision of ≤0.8% CV at 100 μL. This is a 10× throughput improvement over manual serial dilution, with 5–10× better precision.

The 96-to-384 format transfer capability enables screening teams to maintain compound libraries in 96-well format while executing assays in 384-well format for 4× throughput gains. The automated quadrant dispensing protocol completes the full transfer in under 3 minutes.

With 3 deck positions, the YA200-3 supports the basic screening workflow: compound source plate + destination plate + tip box. The adjustable speed feature accommodates DMSO-containing compound stocks (slow aspiration) and volatile reagents (fast dispense with blow-out).

Applications

• Compound screening with dose-response: Automated gradient dilution creating 8-point concentration series across 96 compounds

• 96-to-384 assay miniaturization: Quadrant dispensing for 4× throughput increase in high-throughput screens

• Cell viability assays: Gentle CCK-8/MTT reagent dispensing inside BSC for cytotoxicity screening

• ELISA screening: Consistent conjugate and substrate dispensing for plate-based protein detection

• Target validation assays: Multi-step reagent addition for biochemical and cell-based target engagement

Key Features and Advantages

1. Built-in gradient dilution automates serial dilution at ≤0.8% CV — 5–10× better than manual

2. 96-to-384 format transfer for assay miniaturization with 4× throughput increase

3. 5–200 μL volume range covers compound addition, dilution, and assay readout volumes

4. ≤1% accuracy at 100 μL ensures dose-response curve reliability

5. Adjustable speed for DMSO compound stocks and volatile screening reagents

6. BSC-compatible footprint for cell-based screening inside containment

7. 3 deck positions for basic compound screening workflow

8. Android tablet control with protocol logging for screening documentation

9. Universal tip compatibility — no proprietary consumable lock-in

10. Pre-built screening protocol templates accelerate deployment

Technical Specifications

FAQ

How does the gradient dilution function improve screening data quality?

Manual serial dilution typically produces CV of 5–10% due to cumulative pipetting error. The YA200-3 automated gradient dilution achieves ≤0.8% CV at 100 μL, producing dose-response curves with tighter confidence intervals and more reliable IC50 determinations.

Can the YA200-3 handle DMSO compound stocks?

Yes. The adjustable speed feature allows slow aspiration for viscous DMSO solutions to prevent incomplete filling, and fast dispense with blow-out for complete delivery. Speed settings are saved per protocol step.

What is 96-to-384 format transfer and why is it important?

Compound libraries are typically stored in 96-well format, but assays benefit from 384-well format for 4× throughput and 4× reagent savings. The YA200-3 automatically aspirates from a 96-well source and sequentially fills each quadrant of a 384-well plate in under 3 minutes.

Is 3 deck positions sufficient for screening workflows?

For basic compound screening (source plate + destination plate + tip box), 3 positions are sufficient. For multi-reagent screening requiring diluent or control reservoirs, consider the YA200-4 or YA200-5 with additional deck positions.

How does BSC compatibility benefit drug discovery?

Cell-based screening assays using biohazardous targets or infectious agents require BSC containment. The YA200-3 fits inside standard BSCs, enabling automated pipetting without transferring plates to an external instrument — reducing contamination risk.

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