DNA extractionSeed pickingSeed germination

SEED AUTOMATIONMADE EASYFROM BATCH TO DATA

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SEED AUTOMATIONMADE EASYFROM BATCH TO DATA

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Agri automationThe AgBio product suite from Synchron has been designed for and with our customers in the seed industry. Automating tasks that traditionally have been performed by laboratory staff, have led to an increased throughput and data collection. Starting from multiple batches with multiple seed types, the SeedPicker can process each seed batch into individual seeds. This process is completely controlled by imaging, barcodes and vacuum measurements during each movement. These single seeds can be placed in microtitre plates for DNA extraction, paper based germination trays, planting in soil or Rockwool trays or be used for individual seed phenotyping. Our DNA extraction system can purify DNA from up to 40,000 samples per day, using magnetic beads. This throughput is accomplished by processing the samples in a semi-serial processing fashion, rather than the traditional, parallel processing of microtitre plates in a liquid handling robot. Analysing the germination process of your seeds can be a time-consuming task which often relies on human, visual interpretation and manual data processing. Using robotics in combination with automated imaging and analysis, our Germinator systems can fully automate the monitoring and analysis of your germination processes. All of our systems can be linked to your LIMS system to ensure a smooth and safe transition through our robots within your laboratory workflow.

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Synchron Lab AutomationLaboratory automation & Engineering

Mon plaisir 234879 AK Etten-LeurThe Netherlands

info@synchronlab.com

About SynchronSynchron develops custom-made laboratory automation solutions and specializes in automated liquid handling and sample handling. Within its branch of industry, Synchron is renowned as a progressive and innovative company. Since 1985, we have been developing custom products based on excellent relationships with manufacturers of laboratory instruments. Our products, both software and hardware, are now widely used in laboratories. Synchron offers expertise in all areas of auto- mation and has a wealth of experience developing and marketing flexible robotic automation. In Synchron, you have a dedicated and experienced partner who can help you realize your automation projects efficiently and cost effectively around your existing laboratory.

Synchron has successfully realized over 100 different laboratory automation projects by applying its total solutions approach. The Synchron capabilities include total system design and realization, ranging from stand-alone customized instruments to complex integration of existing systems, featuring robot barcodes and fully incorporated LIMS systems. Whatever your application, you can trust in the Synchron characteristics of cutting edge technology and long-standing experience in laboratory automation.

Our AgBio product line is a range that has been designed as products rather than as a unique project. These products are designed by taking the requirements from several customers into consideration and packed into a single system. In the process from seed to data we have several solutions available. We would welcome you to share your automation needs with us and together discuss about a suitable solution for your applications.

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More informationInformation sheets on the products and applications are available on request.If you would like to discuss these products or a custom engineering project,please feel free to contact us by email or phone:

info@synchronlab.com+31(0)76 82 00 284

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The SeedPickerFor many processes in the lab, seeds will have to be individualised for analysis. This can be required for DNA extraction, phenotyping, germination or a range of other analysis. The SeedPicker will individualise seeds from multiple batches fully automatically. The SeedPicker has fixed stackers or an automated TrayFeeder system for seed containers and corresponding target plates or trays. An industrial, high precision 6-axis robotic arm is the centre of the SeedPicker and automates all movements and transfers. The gripper tool has multiple functions which include a plate gripper, interchangeable picking tools, barcode scanner and liquid handler.

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2 | VISION SYSTEMAfter vibrating onto a flat surface, the seeds are imaged using a high-speed camera with on-board processing capabilities. The coordinates of each individual seed are transferred to the robot arm every time before picking.

1 | HIGH PERFORMANCE FEEDERIndividualizing seeds starts with the robotic arm depositing each seed batch into a trough and using vibration to individualize the seeds on a flat surface that can be imaged. The remainder of the batch in the trough can be collected again into the original seed container.

4 | 96-WELL HEADSThe system uses 2 x 96 disposable tip, accurate pipetting heads, for volume and contamination critical steps. The other 8 x 96-heads are in fact 4 x dual-function 192-heads, for aspiration into waste and non-contact dispensing of one washing buffer each.

The Germinator familyOur family of germination systems allows our customers to store plates and/or trays in different formats and different configurations. Synchron has developed a scalable building block principle system that scales from a few plates to several thousands and from several trays to a thousand, for automated root analysis.

The same building blocks can also be configured for storage in media such as agar, soil and Rockwool to monitor the growth progress. The systems can be equipped with liquid handling and a balance to constantly monitor the weight. The software enables you to schedule imaging and automate the entry and retrieval of large batched of plates or trays using a trolley based system.

Seed picking DNA extraction Seed germination

9 | PLANT IMAGINGBuilding blocks can configure a storageto monitor the growth progress of young plants. The systems can be equipped with liquid handling and a balance to constantly monitor the weight. The software enables you to schedule imaging and automate the entry and retrieval of large batched of plates or trays using a trolley based system.

8 | TROLLEY BASED (UN)LOADINGIn all our Germinator systems, the plates, trays of other formats can be loaded into- and unloaded from the systems. The most smallest type system is simply one trolley in a TrayFeeder. The TrayFeeder can be also placed on a rails, to accommodate multiple trolleys enables a larger shelve surface to be automated. Plants can be grown in the dark or under light conditions.

DNA extractionIn order to move to the next step in high through-put DNA extraction, Synchron is leading the way from parallel processing to industrial, semi-serial processing. Using a magnetic bead extraction kit and essentially a system with 10 x 96 channel heads, the DNA extraction system eliminates many tedious washing and waiting steps. The supply of microtitre plates and disposable tips is taken care of by a large plate feeding system, the PlateFeeder, that can hold up to 400 plates per 8h run (200 input, 200 output) and several disposable tip racks. A run of 200 microtitre plates will typically take about 8 hours. The first sample plate is ready in about 20 min from start and then every 2.5 min a new plate is ready.

6 | PLATEFEEDERThe PlateFeeder system has up to 12 stacker that can be plates stacked on top of each- other or random access. The PlateFeeder scans all barcodes at the beginning of the run and transfers source and destination plates to and from the carriers when required by the scheduling in the protocol. The Plate- Feeder can also be used for supplying plates to and from the SeedPicker as well as funtion as storage of the Germinator system.

5 | MAGBEAD STIRRERThe magnetics beads are constantly kept in suspension in the system and can be freshly added per run. Keeping the beads in suspension is a critical step in order to make sure that the DNA concentration after elution is similar from plate to plate and run to run.

3 | ROBOTThe 6-axis, high-precision, industrialrobotic arm is able to move more than 45 seeds per minute from the separating flat surface into any plate or tray your downstream application may dictate.

For many processes in the lab, seeds will have to be individualised for analysis. This can be required for DNA extraction, phenotyping, germination or a range of other analysis. The SeedPicker will individualise seeds from multiple batches fully

The SeedPicker has fixed stackers or an automated TrayFeeder system for seed containers and corresponding target plates or trays. An industrial, high precision 6-axis robotic arm is the centre of the SeedPicker and automates all movements and transfers. The gripper tool has multiple functions which include a plate gripper, interchangeable picking tools, barcode scanner and liquid handler.

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8 | TROLLEY BASED (UN)LOADING7 | DOUBLE TELESCOPE TRAYFEEDERThe TrayFeeder is the central part in auto- mation of our germination systems. This unit takes care of the transport of multiple plates or germination supports on a transport tray from/to trolley, shelve and analyser(s). The doubles telescope mechanism enables the pick-up and delivery on both sides of the centre of the system, which double the capacity of the systems.

MODULARDESIGNENABLES TAILOR-MADESOLUTIONS

MODULARDESIGNENABLES TAILOR-MADESOLUTIONS

The Germinator familyOur family of germination systems allows our customers to store plates and/or trays in different formats and different configurations. Synchron has developed a scalable building block principle systemthat scales from a few plates to several thousands and from several trays to a thousand, for automatedroot analysis.

The same building blocks can also be configured forstorage in media such as agar, soil and Rockwool to monitor the growth progress. The systems can be equipped with liquid handling and a balance to constantly monitor the weight. The software enables you to schedule imaging and automate the entry and retrieval of large batched of plates or trays using a trolley based system.

In order to move to the next step in high through-put DNA extraction, Synchron is leading the way from parallel processing to industrial, semi-serial processing. Using a magnetic bead extraction kit and essentially a system with 10 x 96 channel heads,the DNA extraction system eliminates many tedious

The supply of microtitre plates and disposable tips is taken care of by a large plate feeding system, the PlateFeeder, that can hold up to 400 plates per 8h run(200 input, 200 output) and several disposable tip racks. A run of 200 microtitre plates will typically take about 8 hours. The first sample plate is ready in about 20 min from start and then every 2.5 min a

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