New libraries

We have now assembled a large library of fluorescent probes through click chemistry. Next on the list is a glycoside inspired library. Bioactivity data in Arabidopsis and Saccharomyces is forthcoming.

Contact me for more information.

The Yeast Halo Assay

Greetings,

I've been receiving some questions regarding the yeast halo assay that we use at UCR. We use a modification of the High Throughput Yeast Halo assay as described here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17291044

I will post the fine details of the procedure soon.

As well pictures of the Halo plates are shown on older blog posts below.

Biomek Videos

Hi all,

If you didn't already know google is hosting some of my Biomek videos:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6272360000675653756&ei=UJoPSfG3HKfYqAOU64T5DQ&q=biomek

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2414996508510051466&ei=UJoPSfG3HKfYqAOU64T5DQ&q=biomek

Also, if you want more info on my lab and my research check out our lab blog:

http://cutlerlab.blogspot.com/

Through the roof

I am happy to announce, that with the IGERT purchase of a 384 pin tool. The daily throughput of the Biomek on the yeast halo assay is 140,000 compounds!

Now only if we had that many on campus, and a technician to load the robot and score the plates.

Halo Pic

Halo plate for Steve I'm interested in the clear or black spots:

Here's what I can do with your function so far:

How can I align the grid such that the dots are in the center of each box? Thanks so much!

New Video

Hey for anyone interested,

Here's a video of a recent application. I thought it was impressive so I decided to record it:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6272360000675653756

Enjoy, more super Biomek applications to come. Biomek training coming soon, ask David about details.

What NOT to do, Part 1 of a Multi-part series

Tip loader errors
The tip loader is the least reliable location on the deck because it is a moving part, is not screwed down and can be displaced by a stray tip or cable caught underneath. Positions which have conical pins rather than a rim around all corners (tip loader and fan) can be loaded incorrectly with the plate skirt over, rather than inside, one pair of pins (see picture). Therefore it is good practice to use these positions last, use for flat bottomed labware like troughs, which cannot be misplaced, or just always double-check for this error.

In addition always check the position of the notch. Some plates unfortunately have two notches, but most only have one. The notch should be on the upper left corner ALWAYS. Mis-alignment of the notch may cause a robot crash with either the span-8, pin tool or the multichannel head.