HTS-XT
The microtiter plate extension HTS-XT enables FT-IR spectroscopy for the first time to be applied in high-throughput sample screening. Using this new technology for multiple sample measurements the automatization capabilities of the OPUS software package permits a continuous 24 hour operation of the FT-IR spectrometer. To minimize the spectral features of solvents, liquid samples can quickly be dried before the actual measurement is performed. This procedure increases the sensitivity of the method in comparison to conventional IR spectroscopy. A large variety of chemical compounds can be studied by this method, many different applications for this unit are conceivable. As an external module, this unit can be connected to different Bruker Optics FT-IR spectrometers.
For analysis, approximately 1-20 µl of a liquid sample can be prepared in a single sampling position of the microtiter plate. The sample volume prepared depends on sample form, measurement mode and sample plate design. The order of the sample positions as well as the size of the microtiter plates correspond to the standardized 96-, 384- or 1536-well formats. After quickly drying the samples, a loaded sample plate is automatically pulled into the sealed optics by using a motorized drawer.
The measurements of individual or all positions are software assisted and fully automated. In order to maximize the performance in diffuse reflection mode, the optics is shielded from specular reflected light coming off the sample.
The HTS-XT can optionally be equipped with PbS or InGaAs detectors thereby expanding the useable spectral range from the mid infrared to the near infrared. The microtiter plate extension HTS-XT is controlled by dedicated OPUS/LAB Software package. It allows fast and easy acquisition, control and evaluation of spectral data from large numbers of samples.
The general benefit of this new technology comes with the molecular information provided by FT-IR spectroscopy. Whereas other methods use specific marker systems that can be detected due to intensity changes of the marker, the infrared microtiter plate analysis provides an entire range of structural and molecular information on the substances of interest. For example, in cases where binding of a drug to an enzyme is studied, current techniques only provide information on the level of the binding. The new infrared technique may also provide information on alterations of an enzyme or even clues on why a certain drug binds better than all the others.
Twister™ Microplate Handler
The microplate handler Twister™ facilitates the automatic measurement of up to 35 microplates with the IR microplate reader HTS-XT. Twister™ and the HTS-XT as well, are controlled by the OPUS/LAB software.