Molecular Devices FlexStation 3

February 24, 2015

Cleveland Clinic
Molecular Cardiology
Lead Research Technologist

Overall

Performance

Ease-of-Optimization

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Company:

Molecular Devices, LLC

Product Name:

FlexStation 3

Catalog Number:

FlexStation 3

Our lab needed a way to measure Calcium flux downstream of the human AT1R receptor. This was our initial reason for purchasing the FlexStation. Using their calcium kits in conjunction with the instrument has proven to be a very accurate and user-friendly method for generating the calcium data. We have since found many other uses for the instrument including IP1 measurement, ELISA, and other fluorescence based assays.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

Measure attenuation of Calcium flux in HEK-AT1R cells following AT1R stimulation with Angiotensin II and treatment with AT1R atagonist ZD7155

Starting Material

HEK-293T cells, human AT1R plasmid, Angiotensin II, ZD7155

Protocol Overview

Transiently transfect HEK-293T cells with human Angiotensin type 1 receptor. Next day count and plate cells in flat bottom 96-well plate. Next day serum starve cells and load with calcium dye. Prepare drug plate with Angiotensin II at increasing concentrations from 0-1uM and 0.1uM AngII + ZD7155 at increasing concentration from 0-1uM. Load cell plate and drug plate on Flexstation and measure calcium response.

Tips

Unused portion of calcium dye can be stored at -20 and reused.

Results Summary

We are able to generate very accurate dose response curves for calcium flux in response to receptor stimulation. Using AT1R antagonist ZD7155 we were able to show clear attenuation of the response.

Features Summary

Softmax software is very user friendly.

Additional Notes

None

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Summary

The Good

Ease of use, user friendly software, fast experimental set up

The Bad

Kits are very expensive.

The Bottom Line

The Flexstation 3 is an excellent instrument. We initially purchased it for one specific application and have found it to be an invaluable part of our lab's workflow for many other applications.

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