( omatically delivered onto the surface o...)New Tools for Making and Processing Protein Microarrays.

The ProteinArray Workstation can be programmed to automatically agitate the sample back and forth across the surface of the protein microarray to provide an even concentration of the analyte throughout the entire sample volume. After incubation on the protein microarray, the sample is removed and the protein microarray rinsed with wash buffers prior to the next step in the assay.

The ProteinArray Workstation is computer controlled to provide for fully automated processing. The user interface is similar to Microsoft Office productivity software. Methods for each assay can be created, edited and stored by a drag-and-drop operation, making it very easy to learn and use. To further simplify operation, the software is also provided with pre-defined, optimized, template protocols that the user can copy and edit to rapidly create new methods to run.

Before running a method, the ProteinArray Workstation performs a validation step to check that all the steps that have been programmed are meaningful and possible to perform. The system also keeps a method status log of all the methods running on all ProteinArray Processors, providing users with reassurance that assays were performed exactly as programmed and with a record of any user interventions.

Live progress monitoring is included in the software, which displays an overview of the entire method in a Gantt chart format. This is updated in real-time and enables operators to observe the length and status of any assay step as it is performed, again providing operator reassurance. The ProteinArray Workstation also allows for the inclusion of a barcode reader for protein microarray/ sample/reagent/instrument identification, confirmation and input into log files enabling easy tracking via a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).