Core Equipment
The Affymetrix GeneChip system comprises three components, a hybridization oven, a fluidics station, and a high-resolution scanner. The Hybridization Oven 320 holds up to eight probe array cartridge carriers (each with eight cartridge slots) that rotate for controlled hybridization of up to 64 probe arrays. This unit delivers precise temperature control for consistent performance across all probe array applications.
The core possesses two fluidics stations for chip washing and staining. The GeneChip Fluidics Station 450 incorporates advanced design 
improvements providing automated wash and staining routines. The new design minimizes user intervention improving chip-to-chip consistency and efficiency.
The GeneChip Scanner 3000 accepts all the current GeneChip arrays, including the new 500K and exon arrays with 5 µm feature size and 0.5 µm pixel resolution. Low inter-scan variation and increased speed dramatically improves throughput and consistency. This new scanner provides more accurate grid alignment and more consistent scanner-to-scanner biological performance, improving data integrity and data sharing between researchers.
BioMicro MAUI Hybridization Station The MAUI automates the fluid processing of slide
microarrays. The MAUI System provides Active Mixing of concentrated, low volume samples by alternatively inflating and deflating air bladders at each end of the microarray via user-selected mixing parameters. The MAUI System is comprised of consumable MAUI Mixer hybridization chambers and a 12-chamber base unit, which provides the mixing action and maintains a constant incubation temperature. The MAUI Mixer adheres to the microarray slide via an adhesive gasket forming a uniform, low volume, sealed hybridization chamber. This chamber is clamped into one of the heated slide bays in the base unit, where hybridization takes place. The effect of Active Mixing™ on the sample is significant enhancement of sensitivity relative to other hybridization methods.The unit features active mixing of the hybridization mixture using.
Molecular Devices Genepix 4000B scanner The Molecular
Dynamics/Axon Genepix 400B scanner is a microarray slide scanner with 5µm pixel resolution. The scanner acquires data at two wavelengths simultaneously using 532 nm (17 mW) and 635 nm (10 mW) lasers drastically reducing scan times. Apart from superior speed, simultaneous scanning eliminates potential errors associated with aligning two separately scanned images, and provides real-time access to data as they are acquired. Accepting standard microscope slides (1" x 3", or 25 mm x 75 mm), the GenePix 4000B acquires data at resolutions between 5 microns and 100 microns. A 40-micron preview scan is used to preview the microarray and set the scan area for a high-resolution scan.
The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer is a microfluidics-based platform for the analysis of DNA, RNA, proteins and cells. This analytical instrument uses lab-on-a-chip technology as an alternative to labor-intensive gel electrophoresis and delivers fast, high quality digital images. The core uses the Bioanalyzer for quality control of submitted samples and labeled probes.
The NanoDrop ND-1000 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer enables highly accurate analysis of extremely small samples with remarkable reproducibility.
The patented sample retention system eliminates the need for cuvettes and decreases the measurement cycle time. The ND-1000 offers the following features: small sample size (1-2 µl), high sensitivity (<1 ng/µl), full spectrum (220-750nm), rapid measurement time (10 sec).
