Recently I inquired about experience anyone has had with the Biotek Precision XS automatic pipettor. The original inquiry and two informative responses are posted below. I have since fiddled with our instrument considerably, and have a few follow up points to offer as well. Generally, it seems as though this instrument can handle volumes down to 2ul, but is more accurate with volumes >= 5ul (don't count on using it to set up real-time PCR assays). Spotting small volumes on the bottom of wells is difficult, but it can be done. The flexibility of the platform is not quite as advertised, but is adequate. For instance, we had to purchase several very expensive adapters to fit our plates and microfuge tubes. We also had to purchase separate adapters in order to install our plates on the rear row of docking stations. With all this said, we are pleased (overall) with the performance of the instrument so far. Thanks to all who responded. Original Inquiry: > Hi all- > > I am wondering if anyone that uses this forum has a BioTek Precision > XS Micropipettor in their lab. If so, for what applications do you > use it, what kind of volumes are typically exchanged, and how > satisified are you as far as the instrument meeting your > needs/expectations? In particular, our lab has just purchased one and > we are interested in using it to set up PCRs, combine samples for > multiplexing, clean samples for sequencing, etc. I would like to get > in contact with somebody who uses it for these and other functions. Replies: Hi Joel, We have a different BioTek model, the Precision 2000. We've had it for about 6 years and it's still going strong. I have only had to replace the o-rings. The only thing we use it for is pooling pcrs for multiplexing on gels or capillary injections (96 well microplate format). It is very useful and quick for that application--and we could probably use it for other post-pcr apps as well--but its use is somewhat limited by the minimum pipetting volume of 3 ul. We use it to transfer volumes of 3-10 ul, and although it does okay with 3, it seems to be more accurate/uniform in the 5-10 ul range. Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions. Libby Gilbert-Horvath NOAA Fisheries Service 110 Shaffer Road Santa Cruz CA 95060 Joel, We bought a Precision last year, and I was not impressed with the initial communication with the company in getting us set up with the necessary plate and tip holders. It took us several months to get it set up properly, and they were quite disorganized. In the end they continued to help until we got things sorted out, and we have been using the instrument only for making replicate plates for genotyping or DNA quantification. Unfortunately, we didn't buy the XS model, which I now think we could use, so we only have 8-channel capability. I have found that the minimum reliable volume for transferring to empty plates is about 4µl, but at that volume it seems to work very well. What I like about the instrument is that it is quite easy to program once you understand the basics, and once programs are set up, it is very reliable. We haven't had any problems with our standard programs, and we use the instrument fairly often. Assuming you have all of the parts you need for your applications, I think the instrument is a good value, and very flexible. One other think I just remembered. We tried to use a variety of other tips, and ended up buying the tips from BioTech because others didn't work well with it. If you already have a brand you want to use. make sure to test them out on the robot first. I hope this helps. If you get good responses about using the instrument for the applications you mentioned in your Evoldir posting, I would appreciate it if you would forward them to me, or post them on Evoldir. Sincerely, Phil Morin Phillip A. Morin, Ph.D. Southwest Fisheries Science Center Joel Anderson Natural Resource Specialist Perry R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Station Coastal Fisheries Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife ph: (361) 972-5483 fax: (361) 972-6352 Joel Anderson