Preparation of Plates Using the Hamilton MicroLab Star
Introduction
The Hamilton MicroLab STAR is a robotic pipetting workstation. It is used for automated
pipetting of liquid samples in medium to high throughput applications and has a high degree of
flexibility.
The MicroLab STAR has a worksurface called a deck. The deck houses loadable carriers which
hold reagent containers such as tubes, plates etc, and there are two tip waste containers.
The pipetting arm has 8 pipetting channels which work independently. The CO-RE 96 Probe Head
will pipette a block of 96 channels simultaneously. The carriers are automatically loaded onto the
deck by the Autoload unit and there is a barcode reader for identification of plates, tubes etc. There
is also a hand held bar-code reader. The instrument has a hinged front cover with magnetic switch.
Safety Notes
Read and sign the COSHH Risk Assessment and attached agreement, Task Risk Assessment and
attached agreement and SOP and attached agreement before beginning the procedure.
Labcoat, safety glasses and disposable nitrile gloves should be worn (gloves must be removed
before using the computer).
Do not obstruct the deck while the robot is in operation by, for example, placing your hands/head
inside the front cover.
The front cover must be closed in the correct position prior to commencing liquid transfer.
Do not look into the laser beam of the barcode reader.
Spillages should be cleaned up according to the cleaning procedure and reported to your
supervisor or the safety officer.
All faults with the robot must be reported immediately to your supervisor or the safety officer.
Materials
Hamilton MicroLab Star pipetting workstation
Tip Carrier : TIP_CAR_480_A00 (PN 182085/02)
Plate Carrier : PLT_CAR_L5MD_A00 (PN 182365/01)
Multiuse modular APE Carrier (PN 188039/00)
CO-RE Low Volume Tips (10ul) without Filters (Hamilton)
Tip Waste bags
Appropriate plates for the method that is to be run. The following plates are compatible:
AB-0800-L, AB-1127, AB-1178, TF-0384, 4309849(ABI), AB-1111, 4306737(ABI).
Plate spinning centrifuge → Sorvall Legend MACH 1.6
Procedure for turning on and initialising the MicroLab STAR
1. Turn on the Hamilton Microlab Star using the green switch on the front left hand side of
the machine.
2. Log onto the computer and click on the ‘MicroLab STAR Run’ Desktop Icon (looks like a
traffic light):
3. Go to ‘File’ on the top menu bar, click ‘Open’ and highlight the Method that is to be run.
Refer to Appendix for details of the methods in use by the Nephrology Research Group.
Click on ‘Open’ and the Method of choice will open up. Visually check that there is
nothing obstructing the deck, and that the front window of the MicroLab STAR is closed.
4. Click on the button on the menu bar that looks like two cogs:
The control panel will open up.
5. Click on ‘Initialise Instrument’ and initialisation will proceed automatically. Initialisation
needs to be performed before the first run of the day and following a break in activity eg
after lunchtime.
6. Check the position of the barcode reader and if it is in the way, click on ‘Move Autoload’
to >45. The Barcode reader will move automatically to the right hand side of the deck.
Click on ‘Close’.
7. *** Follow specific procedures described in liquid handling method of interest. ***
8. Ensure deck is left clear of all plastics and reagents and is ready for further use with all
racks in position on the deck (i.e. not pulled out over the silver deck area).
Important Hints and Tips
If the robot fails to read a barcode, or if there is no barcode on your plate, and error message
will be displayed. Click on ‘continue’ and then ‘execute’ to proceed with the method.
It is preferable to interrupt a program through the software by using the pause button
on
the screen, rather than opening the front window of the robot. Opening the front window will
prevent the program from restarting at the current step.
If there is not enough DNA left in the stock plate for the robot to recognise, an error message
will be displayed. Pick the option ‘ Bottom’ and click on ‘Execute’ to continue. This instructs
the robot to go to the bottom of the wells.
**If an error occurs resulting in tips still being attached to the probes (8-channel or 96-core
head), these must be removed before the program is continued. Dispose all tips to trash
immediately → DO NOT aspirate as this may result in liquid in needles and severe damage to
equipment **. Click on ‘Abort’ and you will be asked to check for horizontal collision. If
clear, then click ’OK’. You will be asked if you want to abort to trash. Select ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’.
If a crash has occurred on the deck, a water test must be carried out before proceeding with any
real samples in order to assess if any damage to the robot has occurred. To run a water test,
rerun the method that you have been using with plates/tubes of water, coloured with a few
drops of food dye (makes the aliquots easier to see). After completion of the method, check
that the correct volumes have been dispensed.
The MicroLab STAR should be cleaned regularly. Refer to the protocol for ‘Cleaning the
MicroLab STAR’. Cleaning is normally carried out between 3.00pm and 4.00pm on a Friday
afternoon, and the Microlab STAR must not be used for 2 hours after cleaning is completed to
allow for complete drying, so if you need to use the robot on Friday afternoon then arrange in
advance with Jill Kilner.
In case of emergency and if AJ or Shirley are not available, contact Hamilton Robotics (local
supplier Mason Technologies).
Contact Name:
Derek Tinsley, Analytical Team Manager for Mason Technology Ltd.
Contact Numbers: Phone: 00353-1-4154476
Mobile: 00353-87-8071994,
Fax:
00353-1-4154494