Only 6 months after the release of its ground-breaking DropSense 96 spectrophotometer, Trinean, pioneer in high throughput analysis of droplets of samples in microfluidic structures, is now launching another device that will set the tone in scientific circles: the DropPlate 16 G. This upgrade of the current microfluid disposable, the DropPlate 16 U, allows researchers to quantify 96 DNA/RNA samples of only 2 microl in less than 5 minutes.
Trinean, a spin-off from the University of Ghent and the IMEC research centre, launched their DropSense96 and accompanying DropPlate 16 U on 1 December 2009. The DropPlate 16 U enabled a measuring scope of 5 ng up to 3,200 ng/microl dsDNA. However, 80% of the principal users of Trinean products analyze genomic DNA, demanding the lowest possible volume requirements for a thorough analysis. In order to meet their needs, Trinean developed a variation of its current chip disposable, specifically for genomic researchers: the DropPlate 16 G (G stands for Genomic).
Less volume, better results
With the new DropPlate 16 G, volumes of 2 microl are sufficient to provide the researcher with a full UV/VIS scan analysis. Not only did it lower the volume requirements, but also the time needed has been reduced by almost 50 %: now labs only have to wait 5 minutes before their 96 samples are analyzed, whereas it used to be 9. This difference in efficiency is even greater compared to the manual operations one had to perform before the DropSense 96 and DropPlate 16 were in use (typically 45 minutes for 96 samples).
DropSense 96: an enormous success
After only 6 months since the launch of the DropSense 96, Trinean has already installed over 25 units of this groundbreaking spectrometry system. Labs around the world, from academic research centres to pharmaceutical companies, are relying on this state-of-the-art polychromatic plate reader. Integration with existing microplate liquid handlers and robots makes this quantification automatic. This huge time-saver is highly appreciated by clients, resulting in spontaneous customer messages, such as 'The Trinean is so great. I even use it for one sample because it's so easy!', sent by a researcher at the Applied Genomics Technology Center, Detroit, USA.
Optical innovation deserves 3D
In order to fully support the success of its DropSense 96 and the launch of the new DropPlate 16 G, Trinean created a product presentation in 3D. 'Trinean's complex spectrophotometer and unique microfluid disposables can only be clearly and quickly explained by means of a dynamic 3D video animation', says Jan Boon, COO at Trinean. 'And, what is more, by posting the 3D presentation on YouTube, it is easily accessible for everybody, especially young researchers looking for innovation.'
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