Hi Brian

in regards to qPCR we are using the ABI ViiA7 platform in our lab and are quite happy with it. Very intuitive , small design with a very customer friendly software.

For the set-up we have an Eppendorf epMotion and it does a great job: very precise and a flexible system for running different sample sizes on one 384well plate. Though unfortunately you can only use either a single pipette or the 8channel one, you are not able to run 4channels only for example. We were trying to get around it with the Hamilton, but as it turns out it is not the solution we were looking for. Hamilton theoretically promises you the flexibility of anything betweeen 1 and 8 channels as well as the head, but reality proofs it to be almost impossible to handle the robot unfortunately. Writing a program on that machine requires an application specialist and the set-up of an ok accuracy of the machine takes the same application specialist to set up for each of the programs and for any program change as well. This slows down the actual use a lot and we are still (after more than 6months) waiting for it to run smoothly. I can recommend the epMotion though, a good workhorse in case you are happy with the tasks you are able to perform on it.

Best,

Nancy

Brian - i feel BioRad is better than ABI. good luck for ur choice

I would go for ABI for qPCR and Beckman o Tecan for liquid handeling robot.

all the considerations given by Nils are ok. In my last lab we had both Tecan and Beckman, and both heads, 8 channel system for dispensing Mixes and 96 channel for dispensing DNA. This is the best option, however, I agree the price go up to 90k...

Good luck negotiation.

Gloria

Hi Brian

in regards to qPCR we are using the ABI ViiA7 platform in our lab and are quite happy with it. Very intuitive , small design with a very customer friendly software.

For the set-up we have an Eppendorf epMotion and it does a great job: very precise and a flexible system for running different sample sizes on one 384well plate. Though unfortunately you can only use either a single pipette or the 8channel one, you are not able to run 4channels only for example. We were trying to get around it with the Hamilton, but as it turns out it is not the solution we were looking for. Hamilton theoretically promises you the flexibility of anything betweeen 1 and 8 channels as well as the head, but reality proofs it to be almost impossible to handle the robot unfortunately. Writing a program on that machine requires an application specialist and the set-up of an ok accuracy of the machine takes the same application specialist to set up for each of the programs and for any program change as well. This slows down the actual use a lot and we are still (after more than 6months) waiting for it to run smoothly. I can recommend the epMotion though, a good workhorse in case you are happy with the tasks you are able to perform on it.

Best,

Nancy

We have two QIAgility from Qiagen that we use for setting up PCR plates. We've only used them for 96-well plates, but they are adaptable to almost any tube or plate format. You will have to spend a little time fine tuning the adjustments before using it the first time, but unless you change plate or tube suppliers, you shouldn't have to do it again.

Good luck.

Rick

Hi Brian,

We have been using the CFX96 from Bio-Rad for the qPCR analysis for the past 3 years and we are quite happy with it.

We also bought at the same time a qiagility liquid system from Qiagen for setting up the PCR reaction plates and have been using it routinely since then. We use it to set up 96 wells plate but an adaptor for 384 wells plate is available (never used it though). It is a one head unit so you have to be aware of that limitation. That being said, it takes approximately 30 min to set up a full 96 wells plate. Obviously, it would take longer for setting up a 384 wells plate. I also know that the price is reasonable compared to other more advanced liquid system (under 45K but we were able to get a demo for a significantly reduced price). It's also relatively easy to program the machine.

Hope that helps,

Claude

Dear Bryan,

I´m working at Hamilton Company Robotics Division and we have nice solutions for you regarding PCR Setup Automation. Have you ever aquired the instrument?

Have a nice 2014!