Way to go, dude! Give 'em HELL! I certainly have. In fact, our lab has pushed the manufacturers for a decent plate handling system for years and we have often used the argument that us folks in industry run TONS of samples. We are presently running both the B-D and Cytek systems in our lab and though it was gratifying to see that someone had finally listened, I would agree that there is definitely room for improvement with the current attempts at 96-well samplers for flow cytometers. Why does this have to be such a difficult issue? There seem to be no end to plate handlers, fluid handlers and sippers in the robotics labs for use with other screening technologies. Why is it so difficult to design one with decent software/hardware for all of the cytometers in the world? It is really extraordinary that a technology as versatile and broadly used as flow cytometry would remain so behind the times in terms of sample handling capabilities. It is also surprising that it is so difficult to get them to listen to us when we are asking to BUY something. Imagine if the automobile manufacturers were still turning out cars equipped with 8-track tape players all the while their customers were clamoring for CD players! Maybe if we all keep bugging them, they'll get the message. It sure would be nice to see some forethought and creativity return to instrument design in our field. Gary Elliott AMGEN Flow Cytometry Lab -----Original Message----- From: Akos_Szilvasi@biogen.com [mailto:Akos_Szilvasi@biogen.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 6:25 AM To: cyto-inbox Subject: The automated cytometer is coming !!! Just kidding. But you all opened this mail with excitement. Right? Why are the cytometers not automated? Why is the 96 well plate not the default sample carrier? Most of us stain cell for flow cytometry analysis on 96 well plates. For over a decade we had to transfer them into tubes, sit in front of an instrument and exchange them one by one for hours. OK...I am somewhat emotional today after running close to 600 tubes by hand. My back hurts, my eyes are tired from the screen and my left shoulder suffered repetitive motion injury. Us who run core labs especially in industrial settings have to screen large volumes of samples on a regular basis. The request for 96 well sampler was out there for a very long time. Years. No response from the manufacturers. Recently BD introduced an addition to the FACS Calibur that can take up cells from the 96 well format. It is not a great help for those of us who need to run hundreds a day. Also too expensive and meant for the hobbyists. CyTek's MAS is a faster device with limited acquisition control and no field service. Cytomation's MosKeeto is only good for simple yes-or-no type screening on a time scale on the MoFlo. CyAn does not even have a plate sampler addition (maybe next year??? - we heard that before). Why don't we unite and give an ultimatum to the manufacturers. YOU EITHER MAKE FAST, ROBUST 96 WELL PLATE SAMPLERS OR ELSE .......... we keep using tubes just like we do now. This is our last, desperate resort. Flow cytometers are in the forefront of academic and industrial research as well as manufacturing. The technology (including the software!) is not following the trend. I go back and finish the two hundred remaining samples..... (The numbers are a result of theatrical dramatization - run 800 samples on a Calibur in a day and your left arm will be paralyzed. You better seek mental help at the end of such a day.) Best regards, Akos Biogen
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Jan 05 2003 - 19:01:27 EST