Beckman Coulter Labcyte Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler

Echo 525 Liquid Handler is the first high-speed acoustic liquid dispenser specifically designed to transfer biochemical and genomic reagents. Beckman Coulter Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler and Echo software applications allow researchers to spend more time reviewing data and results. Creating and implementing protocols in Echo software applications is fast and does not require more extensive training in protocols. An automatic Access automation system for use with Echo devices is also available.

Echo 525 Liquid Handler Machines

Various techniques help study the extraction and purification of nucleic acids like DNA, RNA, mRNA, etc. These studies aid in several downstream applications in the present day. Tests like RT-PCR and rapid detection of the novel coronavirus are also possible through assay creation techniques. 

It is familiar that there are different ways of achieving the assay creation techniques at present. While some machines only extract the samples, others purify them and enhance the versatility of the systems. One such device is the liquid handlers with exceptional performance and accurate results. Have a look at one best liquid handler machines from Echo. 

“We were able to successfully downscale PCRs and the popular one-pot DNA assembly methods, Golden Gate® and Gibson® assemblies, from the microliter to the nanoliter scale with high assembly efficiency, which effectively cut the reagent cost by 20- to 100-fold.
We envision that acoustic dispensing will become an instrumental technology in synthetic biology, in particular in the era of DNA foundries.” 1
Paulina Kanigowska, et al., JALA 2015

Echo 525 Liquid Handler: 

Echo has two different variants of liquid handlers, out of which the 525 system is prevalent. This is one of the first systems designed for genomic and biochemical reagent transfer. These are paired with Echo’s software that allows people to process the data instead of the other tasks. 

Specifications: 

The specifications of the Echo 525 system are as follows: 

1. Dimensions/ Size – 53.9 x 68.3 x 92.5 cm 
2. Drop Volume – 25 nL 
3. Weight – 128 Kg 
4. Power Requirement – 120 V AC 
5. Operating Temperature – 21 degrees (+ or – 5 degrees as per requirements) 

Other Details:

• Reagents Supported: PCR and qPCR reagents, synthetic biology reagents, NGS reagents, primers and probes, cell culture media, proteins, nucleic acids, up to 50% glycerol, serum, plasma, and antibodies.
• Other Electrical Requirement: AC 230V, 50/60Hz, 5A
• Vacuum: House supply minimum 200 Torr (266 mbar, 22 inches Hg V AC) or Standalone vacuum with surge tank, minimum pump speed 2.0 m3/hr (70.68 cu ft/hr), minimum pressure 100 Torr (133 mbar, 26 inches Hg V AC)
• The use of 1536-well plates as destination plates is application dependent
• No fluid class calibration needed

Echo 525 Features: 

The Echo 525 acoustic liquid handler systems are intended for genomics and biochemical reagents transfer. These systems deliver accurate results in assay creations and aid in different applications. Some features of these systems are as follows: 

1. The rapid build-up of complex assays: 

The 525 model liquid handlers come with high-quality precision, accuracy, and flexibility that allows their operators to build complex assays, which are not possible with general handlers. These handlers use acoustic sound energy to work against the traditional boundaries of pin tool and tip-based handlers. 

Moreover, these handlers transfer different viscosities and fluid heights from one source plate so that the assay creation happens rapidly. These handlers are an excellent replacement for traditional fixed plate designs. The Echo handlers move fluids from any wells, allowing the operators to experiment with different plates. 

2. Efficient Assay Transfer: 

The Echo machines come with an Echo Qualified Reservoir that aids in simple array assembly and reagent transfer into different wells. These handlers have the capacity of transferring up to 2.5 ml from every microwell. As in, the users can build the required assay without having to change the instruments. This, in turn, saves a lot of money and time too. 

3. Reliable Genomic Reagent Transfer: 

The Echo handlers are capable of transferring a wide range of fluids at once. The liquids include distilled water, nucleic acids, buffers, and any reagents with a 50 percent glycerol. As a whole, these handlers have a versatile fluid range and transfer volume range. Adding to these are the efficient software and any well-to-well transfer capacity. These systems account for the following applications: 

• PCR and qPCR assay set up 
• Gene synthesis 
• Single-cell sample preparation 
• Sanger sequence array set up 
• DNA and RNA NGS sequencing workflows 

Miniaturization and Acceleration of DNA Assembly and Validation QC for Gene Synthesis

Since the introduction of Echo Liquid Handlers in 2004, they have been an essential part of synthetic biology labs to enable better and faster workflows while reducing costs and waste in a wide range of applications. Some of these applications, such as complex and high throughput gene assembly and cell-free protein expression, would not have been possible without the use of Echo Liquid Handlers.

DNA assembly using traditional tip-based liquid handlers requires reaction volumes of ~10–20 µL. The Echo Liquid Handler can reduce these volumes up to 100-fold for gene assembly and validation steps while maintaining or even improving data quality and drastically reducing reagent costs. Moreover, the Echo offers up to 10X time savings in different labs. The Echo 525, introduced in 2012, has enabled even faster throughput with its 25 nL dispense volume.

System complete with:

• Echo 525 S/n# E5XX-1514
• Power Supply
• Agilent / Velocity11 V-Spin Centrifuge
• Labcyte Access Microplate Robot and Enclosure
• Mach4 Label Printer
• SMC Thermoelectric Chiller
• Vacuum Pump
• Dell Optiplex XE2 Computer.
• Overall Dims = 96″L x 79.5″H x 36″D.

Reference Link

• Manufacturer Information
• Brochure