QPix Microbial Colony Pickers
Automated microbial colony picking system for clone screening
Designed to support automated picking of microbial colonies for downstream analysis.
The QPix® Microbial Colony Pickers are a family of automated, high‑throughput systems designed for microbial colony screening and picking. They support clone screening workflows by identifying and transferring microbial colonies from agar plates into destination formats for downstream analysis. The series includes multiple models to meet different laboratory throughput and automation requirements, providing a consistent and scalable approach to automated colony picking in microbial research workflows.
Identify colonies based on phenotype
The QPix colony pickers support phenotype‑based colony identification across microbial workflows, including blue/white screening, fluorescence‑based selection, colony size and proximity, zone‑of‑inhibition analysis, and color‑ and morphology‑based classification available on select models such as the QPix FLEX™.
Select colonies with precision
The QPix colony pickers support precise and repeatable colony transfer using organism‑specific pins and integrated agar height sensing. On select models such as the QPix FLEX, advanced imaging‑guided selection supports consistent picking based on defined phenotypic criteria across microbial screening workflows.
Support sterile colony picking
The QPix colony pickers offer sterility features designed to support clean microbial workflows, including pin washing and halogen pin drying. Select models such as the QPix FLEX also support additional sterility controls, including UV‑based interior sanitization, to help maintain controlled operation during automated colony picking.
Features
Organism-specific pins
A range of organism‑specific pins support microbial workflows involving organisms such as E. coli, phage, and yeast. Across the QPix 400 Series, pin options are designed to support consistent colony transfer and plating. Select models also support both reusable and disposable pin options to accommodate different sterility, sample handling, and workflow requirements.
Multiple imaging modes
Colonies can be selected based on predefined parameters using white light and fluorescence across the QPix 400 Series. Select models, such as the QPix FLEX, also support color‑based imaging to enable phenotype‑driven colony selection in workflows such as blue‑white screening.
Plating and Spreading
Automated plating and streaking support standardized preparation of microbial samples prior to colony picking across the QPix 400 Series. Select models also integrate plating and streaking as part of broader automated microbial screening workflows.
Replication, gridding, and hit picking
Automated plate handling supports replication, gridding, and hit‑picking workflows commonly used in microbial screening and library management across the QPix 400 Series.
Agar sensing
Integrated ultrasonic agar height sensing detects variations in agar surface height resulting from differences in pouring volume, helping support consistent colony picking across agar plates.
Scalable automation options*
The QPix 400 Series includes models designed to support scalable automation, including robot‑compatible configurations and modular deck options available on select systems. Advanced workflow engineering services may support customized automation requirements.
Automate your workflow with the QPix colony picker
Colony picking is an essential step in biological research as scientists often isolate microbial clones in order to mass produce DNA or proteins to be used in a variety of applications downstream. Traditionally, colony picking is performed manually using sterile pipette tips or inoculation loops, which are usually slow, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. Not only will automated colony pickers make the entire process quicker, but the results are more consistent and reliable.
Ensure sterility and superior performance with QPix's pin-washing process
The revolutionary QPix pin-washing process ensures optimal laboratory efficiency and stringent sterility standards. With its innovative cleaning and sterilization methods, QPix system maintains zero cross-contamination and promotes sustainability in lab environments.
Join Carola, our Field Application Specialist as she walks you through step-by-step, the QPix system's sterility workflow. And, download our application note demonstrating extensive testing and validation studies, Ensure sterility with QPix Microbial Colony Pickers.
Which QPix is right for you?
imaging
supported-processes-and-applications
gridding
plating
agar-agar-transfer
sterility
agar-height-detection
speed-and-accuracy
diverse-microorganisms
automation-and-integration
source-plate-capacity
destination-plate-capacity
software-guided-process-workflow--setup
data-tracking
walk-away-time
warranty
service-and-support
*Price, time to deliver, and specifications will vary based on mutually agreed technical requirements. Solution requirements may cause adjustment to standard performance.
Custom solutions are subject to Molecular Devices Custom Products Purchase Terms available at https://moleculardevices.com/custom-products-purchase-terms
FAQs
What is a QPix microbial colony picker?
The QPix microbial colony picker is an advanced automated system designed for high-throughput selection and picking of microbial colonies. It streamlines the process of clone screening and eliminates the need for manual colony picking.
How does the QPix microbial colony picker work?
The QPix microbial colony picker utilizes a combination of imaging and robotics technology to accurately identify and pick individual microbial colonies from agar plates. It uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze colony size, shape, and other characteristics, allowing for precise colony selection.
What are the key features of the QPix microbial colony picker?
The QPix microbial colony picker offers several key features, including high-resolution imaging, customizable colony selection criteria, automated picking and re-arraying, adjustable picking parameters, and intuitive software for colony tracking and data analysis.
What are the benefits of using the QPix microbial colony picker?
By automating the colony picking process, the QPix microbial colony picker significantly increases throughput and efficiency in clone screening. It minimizes the risk of cross-contamination, improves accuracy and reproducibility, and frees up valuable time and resources for researchers.
Which applications can benefit from the QPix microbial colony picker?
The QPix microbial colony picker is ideal for a wide range of applications, including recombinant protein expression, antibody discovery, synthetic biology, directed evolution, and strain engineering. It is suitable for academic research, pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, and other industries requiring efficient clone screening.
What are the primary functions of QPix Microbial Colony Pickers?
QPix Microbial Colony Pickers offer automated colony picking, identification, and tracking capabilities. They enable researchers to efficiently select and transfer individual microbial colonies from agar plates, saving time and reducing human error.
In what workflows can QPix Microbial Colony Pickers be used?
QPix Microbial Colony Pickers are versatile tools that can be integrated into various workflows. They are commonly used in applications such as clone screening, mutant library generation, microbial genomics, directed evolution, and high-throughput strain engineering.
How do QPix Microbial Colony Pickers optimize scientific research?
QPix Microbial Colony Pickers streamline the process of clone screening and colony picking, allowing researchers to analyze a larger number of colonies in less time. This optimization improves the efficiency of research projects, accelerates discovery, and facilitates downstream analysis and experimentation.
Can QPix Microbial Colony Pickers handle different types of agar plates?
Yes, QPix Microbial Colony Pickers are designed to handle various agar plate formats, including Petri dishes, multiwell plates, and other custom plates. The system is flexible and can adapt to the specific needs of different experiments.
How does the software accompanying QPix Microbial Colony Pickers enhance research productivity?
The software provided with QPix Microbial Colony Pickers offers intuitive user interfaces for experiment design, colony selection criteria customization, and data analysis. It enables efficient tracking of colonies, facilitates workflow management, and provides insightful metrics for data-driven decision-making.