Flexible & Efficient Sample Storage
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At the recent SLAS conference in Washington, DC, Brooks Life Science Systems introduced the SampleStore™ II SE automated sample management system and the CSP8 heat sealer.
To learn more about these solutions and the benefits they can offer, we spoke to Chris McNary, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Brooks Life Science Systems.
AM: The SampleStore™ II SE was recently introduced by Brooks. Can you tell us a little about this solution? 
CM: Brooks is strengthening its position in the small automated sample storage market with the introduction of the flexible SampleStore™ II SE system. This system enables laboratories to efficiently manage small to mid-size sample collections comprised of tubes, vials, and plates with a single automated storage solution. It’s designed for libraries of 50,000 to 300,000 1.4 ml tubes in a 96-position ANSI/SBS rack at temperatures of -20° C to +20° C. It is scalable with expansion modules and can fit through a standard laboratory door. An enhanced information management system allows its use as a standalone unit or it can be integrated with a broader enterprise IT strategy. The SampleStore II SE offers the optimal combination of flexibility and cold-chain management across a broad base of storage applications.
AM: What are some of the benefits of using a single automated storage solution?
CM: For users new to automation, the SampleStore II SE is ideal as a standalone solution for automated inventory management of chemical and biological samples. Existing automated storage customers might apply the system for decentralized storage of focused or targeted chemical libraries employed in high-throughput screening (HTS) or lead optimization applications. When compared to manual sample storage, automated storage solutions offer higher throughput, plus greater sample security and protection.
AM: Brooks has also recently introduced the CSP8 Heat Sealer. Can you tell us about some of the features of this instrument?
CM: The CSP8 heat sealer is an easy-to-use instrument for chemical and biological samples that permits the sealing of eight REMP tubes at a time -- avoiding the need to seal an entire 96-well rack. It uses Brooks’ industry-proven technology to produce tightly welded, pierceable seals. The instrument allows efficient sub-sample processing in single-unit formats. The CSP8’s ability to seal a row of eight tubes also eliminates the cost and waste of sealing all of the tubes in a partially filled plate. In addition, the compact size of the instrument’s polyurethane seals maximizes storage density.
CM: The CSP8 can economically seal small numbers of tubes to enable space efficient storage of multiple aliquots of each sample. This capability helps avoid the multiple freeze-thaw cycles that can lead to sample quality degradation. The instrument permits fast vein-to-freezer times in applications with distributed biosample collection and subsequent storage in central biobanks.
CM: The SampleStore II SE drew quite a bit of attention. Lab managers liked the fact that the system could be set up in days, not weeks. They also were excited about the store’s flexibility to handle various container types. In addition, the system’s “Redbox” vending machine-style simplicity resonated with the attendees.
Show visitors appreciated the fact the CSP8 heat sealer can process the tight, full seal offered by REMP tubes in applications with smaller collection throughput. Current REMP tube users also liked the new workflow opportunities the instrument provided to expand collection and processing at distributed sites.
For more information, please visit http://www.brooks.com
Chris McNary was speaking to Anna-Marie MacDonald, Editor for Technology Networks.
To learn more about these solutions and the benefits they can offer, we spoke to Chris McNary, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Brooks Life Science Systems.
AM: The SampleStore™ II SE was recently introduced by Brooks. Can you tell us a little about this solution?
CM: Brooks is strengthening its position in the small automated sample storage market with the introduction of the flexible SampleStore™ II SE system. This system enables laboratories to efficiently manage small to mid-size sample collections comprised of tubes, vials, and plates with a single automated storage solution. It’s designed for libraries of 50,000 to 300,000 1.4 ml tubes in a 96-position ANSI/SBS rack at temperatures of -20° C to +20° C. It is scalable with expansion modules and can fit through a standard laboratory door. An enhanced information management system allows its use as a standalone unit or it can be integrated with a broader enterprise IT strategy. The SampleStore II SE offers the optimal combination of flexibility and cold-chain management across a broad base of storage applications.
AM: What are some of the benefits of using a single automated storage solution?
CM: For users new to automation, the SampleStore II SE is ideal as a standalone solution for automated inventory management of chemical and biological samples. Existing automated storage customers might apply the system for decentralized storage of focused or targeted chemical libraries employed in high-throughput screening (HTS) or lead optimization applications. When compared to manual sample storage, automated storage solutions offer higher throughput, plus greater sample security and protection.
AM: Brooks has also recently introduced the CSP8 Heat Sealer. Can you tell us about some of the features of this instrument?
CM: The CSP8 heat sealer is an easy-to-use instrument for chemical and biological samples that permits the sealing of eight REMP tubes at a time -- avoiding the need to seal an entire 96-well rack. It uses Brooks’ industry-proven technology to produce tightly welded, pierceable seals. The instrument allows efficient sub-sample processing in single-unit formats. The CSP8’s ability to seal a row of eight tubes also eliminates the cost and waste of sealing all of the tubes in a partially filled plate. In addition, the compact size of the instrument’s polyurethane seals maximizes storage density.
AM: What are some of the issues of multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and how can the CSP8 help to overcome these?
CM: The CSP8 can economically seal small numbers of tubes to enable space efficient storage of multiple aliquots of each sample. This capability helps avoid the multiple freeze-thaw cycles that can lead to sample quality degradation. The instrument permits fast vein-to-freezer times in applications with distributed biosample collection and subsequent storage in central biobanks.
AM: Both the SampleStore™ II SE and CSP8 Heat Sealer were introduced at the SLAS 2015 meeting. What was feedback like from attendees?
CM: The SampleStore II SE drew quite a bit of attention. Lab managers liked the fact that the system could be set up in days, not weeks. They also were excited about the store’s flexibility to handle various container types. In addition, the system’s “Redbox” vending machine-style simplicity resonated with the attendees.
Show visitors appreciated the fact the CSP8 heat sealer can process the tight, full seal offered by REMP tubes in applications with smaller collection throughput. Current REMP tube users also liked the new workflow opportunities the instrument provided to expand collection and processing at distributed sites.
For more information, please visit http://www.brooks.com
Chris McNary was speaking to Anna-Marie MacDonald, Editor for Technology Networks.
