Patent ID: 6402837
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: C30B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A robotic station for protein crystallization comprising:(a) a magazine storing at least one empty microplate, (b) said microplate being comprised of an array of wells paired with reservoirs; (c) a nest that holds the microplate in position and indexes via an electrically or mechanically driven mechanism; (d) a mechanism for feeding a microplate into said nest; (e) a liquid dispensing system with at least one probe, each said probe containing at least one bore that delivers specified volumes into specific wells and reservoirs of said microplate; (f) an electrically or mechanically driven system that positions said probe over targeted reservoirs and wells; (g) a sealing mechanism that transfers a seal from a dispenser onto selected wells and reservoirs to seal them from the environment; (h) an incubator for storing the microplates in a controlled environment; (i) a microplate removing mechanism that removes a microplate from the nest and places it in said incubator; (j) a stacking mechanism that stacks the microplates inside said incubator.