The images below illustrate the different ways the FilterPress can be used:

Filter Plate in Upper Nest with Lower Nest ready to use as a waste trough	Lower nest loaded with a collection plate	Both nests retracted and air is being pushed through

The FilterPress can be used standalone to carry out a wide variety of filtrations and separations.  However, there are a number of additional components that can be added to partially, or fully automate your protocols.

1. Micro10x™ Dispenser – When attached to the FilterPress, can quickly add wash and elution buffers to the entire plate, or any number of individual rows.
2. 4 or 10-way valves – This Micro10x add-on allows the user to change the solvent at different stages of the protocol.
3. SOLO™ Automated Pipettor – The FilterPress was designed to dock with our SOLO pipettor.  In this configuration, the SOLO can transfer liquids from various sources to and from the upper and lower nests of the FilterPress
4. PlateCrane EX™ or PlateCrane SciClops™ Robot Arms – Addition of a PlateCrane robot arm, with corresponding microplate stacks, will greatly increase the throughput of your protocol.
5. Automated Magnetic Nest – Many protocols involving the extraction of DNA, RNA and proteins involve filter-based separation techniques as well as magnetic bead-based techniques.  Replacing one of the nests of the SOLO with our automated Magnetic Bead nest will allow the user to mix and match separation techniques.  The nest is software-controlled and will raise the plate to allow proper liquid handling, and lower the plate to allow the magnetic field to form pellets, so the SOLO can remove the supernatant liquid.

FilterPress™ integrated with a SOLO™ Pipettor and a Micro10x™ Dispenser

The most obvious application of the FilterPress in the life sciences field is the isolation and purification of Nucleic Acids and Proteins from various sources. The FilterPress plays a pivital role in our new Automated Extraction workcell.  It can be employed in a wide range of protocols, here are a few examples:

The most obvious application of the FilterPress in the life sciences field is the isolation and purification of Nucleic Acids and Proteins from various sources. The FilterPress plays a pivital role in our new Automated Extraction workcell.  It can be employed in a wide range of protocols, here are a few examples:

DNA Extraction

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Solid Phase Extraction (SPE)

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Oligo Purification

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Protein Expression & Purification

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The FilterPress is incredibly easy to use. The following image shows the FilterPress being controlled by SoftLinx with the three key steps placed in the protocol.

1. “Expose Upper Nest” allow the user to insert a filter/spin plate or an SPE column
2. “Expose Lower Nest” allows the user to insert a collection plate.
3. “Push” retracts both nests and, using pressured air, pushes the solvent through the colmuns using the time and temperature specified by the “Push” command

Steps 1 and 2 aren’t necessary if a PlateCrane delivers a plate to either position, as Softlinx automatically exposes the appropriate nest, and retracts the upper nest if it is in the way.

The software also provides the “dry” command which allows the user to install an optional heater to force heated air through the upper plate/column.

The “User Message” command can be used to instruct the less experienced user to move a plate, check that all reagents or consumables are in place, or deliver any other pertinent message.