HTS-XT
The microplate extension HTS-XT allows the application of FT-IR spectroscopy as method for high-throughput screening. The acquisition, control and evaluation of spectral data from large numbers of samples are performed by the OPUS/LAB software. OPUS/LAB also controls the microplate stacking device Twister that permits a continuous 24 hour operation of the FT-IR spectrometer. The HTS-XT is an external module that can be connected to different Bruker Optics FT-IR spectrometers. Depending on its configuration it can be used for measurements in the mid infrared to the near infrared and even the VIS range.
The sampling plates for the IR analysis correspond to the standardized 96-, 384- or 1536-well microplate formats. For analysis, approximately 1-20 µl of a liquid sample are placed on a single sampling position of the microplate and dried. The sample volume prepared depends on sample form, measurement mode and sample plate design. Solid samples are first dried and ground before they are filled into a well of the microplate. The loaded sample plate is moved into the sealed optics by a motorized drawer. Then the measurement of the microplate is performed fully automated in the measurement modes transmission and/or reflectance by successively moving each sample position into the focus of the IR-beam.
The HTS-XT is controlled by the OPUS/LAB software that allows the automatic measurement and evaluation of spectra from large sample numbers. For the quantitative determination even of several analytes in complex samples modern multivariate methods like PLS (Partial Least Squares) are used. To perform qualitative analyses various algorithms like spectra correlation, PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and ANN (Artifical Neural Networks) are available. The storage of measurement parameters and results in a log-file permits an easy transfer of sample data to external programmes or to Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
The general benefit of the IR-spectroscopy comes with the molecular information present in each IR-spectrum. Whereas other high-throughput methods require the use of specific marker systems to allow the analysis of a certain parameter, the infrared microplate analysis provides an entire range of structural and molecular information on the substances of interest.
Therefore FT-IR spectroscopy allows the parallel determination of several parameters with just one measurement!
Some applications
- Identification of microorganisms
- Determination of contamination routes
- Characterization of cells (producers / non-producers)
- Soil analysis
The microplate handler TWISTER allows the automated measurement of up to 35 microplates using the IR-microplate reader HTS-XT. Both the TWISTER and the HTS-XT are controlled by the OPUS/LAB software.