Hamilton Robotics and Promega Corporation Develop Protocol for Automated Plasmid DNA Purification

Reno, Nevada (June 17, 2009) - Hamilton Robotics announces a tested and verified protocol for automation of the Promega Wizard* SV 96 Plasmid DNA Purification System. Developed in collaboration with Promega, this high-throughput method purifies DNA from pelleted bacterial culture samples using Hamilton's MICROLAB® STAR liquid handling workstation. The method processes up to 96 plasmid samples in 30 minutes or less with consistent results and no detectable cross-contamination. The purified plasmid can be used directly for automated fluorescent DNA sequencing, restriction enzyme digestion and other downstream molecular biology processes.

Many of today's molecular biology research applications require rapid isolation of pure plasmid DNA and automation can meet these high-throughput needs. The flexible Hamilton MICROLAB STAR workstation features unique air displacement pipetting and performs a range of liquid handling and vacuum-based tasks. This workstation can also be used with the Promega Wizard SV 96 PCR Clean-Up System, which requires a vacuum manifold, shaker and plate gripper in addition to liquid handling.

"Many of our customers use Hamilton workstations, so we are pleased to collaborate with them to create and optimize automated protocols," comments Sarah Shultz, senior automation scientist for Promega. "Their air displacement pipetting technology offers a number of unique advantages over other robotics systems."

"The Promega SV 96 Plasmid DNA Purification System is reliable and widely used," commented Rick Luedke, product manager for Hamilton Robotics. "We are pleased to add this to the automated solutions we can offer our customers."

Hamilton is a leading worldwide supplier of precision liquid handling equipment, laboratory automation and storage systems, serving customers in academic and private research laboratories, pharmaceutical and clinical diagnostic companies and governmental institutions. Hamilton maintains headquarters in Reno, Nevada and Bonaduz, Switzerland, both of which house R&D and production facilities. Hamilton has subsidiaries for direct sales and service in many countries and works with a wide distributor network in other regions. Hamilton is a privately held company. For more information, visit http://www.hamiltonrobotics.com.

*Wizard is a registered trademark of Promega Corporation.