Great Vacuum System for 96-well Plates

July 05, 2016

University of Wisconsin
Medical Physics
Postdoctoral Fellow

Overall

Performance

Ease-of-Optimization

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Company:

Qiagen

Product Name:

QIAVac 96

Catalog Number:

19504

The general aim of our research is the development of novel imaging agents for molecular imaging of cancer. To do this, we must confirm the binding of our imaging agent to the biomarker of interest. We perform this in 96-well plates. After incubation of cells with the imaging agent, the excess imaging agent in the medium must be removed from the well. This is accomplished using the QIAVac 96. When we looked into purchasing this instrument, this was the only one that was available that cost less than $1,000.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

Removal of medium from 96-well plate

Starting Material

96-well plate (with filters) with cells and medium

Protocol Overview

Place a disposable tray between the top and bottom of the vacuum system. This will ensure that no mess will be made once the vacuum is turned on. Set the 96-well plate on top of the system and slowly turn on the vacuum. The medium be sucked through the filter in each well into the disposable tray.

Tips

If you need to keep the flow through medium, they offer tubes for collecting the sample.

Results Summary

After sucking through the medium using the system, we are able to add new medium and continue the assay. We have found that this system works much better than traditional methods of aspirating the medium using tips as this process may disrupt the cells at the bottom of the well.

Features Summary

The system is simple to use and can use the vacuum system found in most labs.

Additional Notes

None

Image Gallery

Summary

The Good

Simple to use, great price, and reliable

The Bad

We have not found anything bad about this instrument.

The Bottom Line

We highly recommend this instrument for labs performing assays in 96-well plates (make sure the plates have filters). We love the QIAvac 96 and use it weekly.

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