REMP launches Small Size Store
REMP Small Size Store (SSS), a fully automated sample storage and
retrieval system that incorporates 'cherry picking,' enabling
reliable retrieval of samples at storage temperature environment.
REMP's new Small Size Store (SSS) aims to address the problem of balancing the demanding capacity and throughput requirements with space concerns of small research facilities.
Designed with random access of REMP Tube Technology consumables in mind, the REMP Tube Punching Module (TPM) is integrated into the SSS for retrieval and reformatting of consumables at storage temperature environment. Plates confirming to SBS/ANSI standards can be stored in the unit.
Typical operating temperatures include -20°C, -5°C and +4°C at low relative humidity. Tubes can be cherry picked at any time but the destination tube racks remain within the storage environment until requested by the user or master control system.
Two large service doors on the backside offer easy service access to the plates and all robotic components. In the unlikely event of a cooling unit failure, the cassettes with the stored plates could be moved conveniently to a manual freezer for temporary storage.
Donat Elsener, REMP sales and marketing president told DrugResearcher.com: "We wanted to extend our offerings to smaller companies, to satellite research locations of larger pharma and biotechs."
The SSS can be operated as a stand alone unit or integrated into a robotic system serving plates through the built in transfer station. One unit can be configured to store 1000 REMP 384 Storage Tube Racks, 815 REMP 96 Storage Tube Racks (300) or 475 REMP 96 Storage Tube Racks (900).
Once a library outgrows the capacity of a single unit up to three units can be linked together to build a larger storage cluster.
The main application for the SSS is compound storage during lead discovery and lead optimiziation studies. Customers can use it for storage of DNA and oligos in genomic studies or in pharmacogenetics.
The SSS also offers the same Application Programming Interface (API) as the other REMP stores, making it compatible with the powerful REMP Sample Management Software packages. Existing REMP customers will be able to connect a Small Size Store to their network and making it accessible to all researchers through the Global Ordering Application.
As well as large pharma, Elsener commented that the REMP were further aiming at smaller pharmaceutical, biotech and animal health companies. "Forensics is another market we see potential for our Small Size Store since we have already provided solutions for larger scale forensic laboratories," he said.
The sample storage and retrieval system market has been affected by questions raised as to the reliability of the automated process. With this technology companies have attempted to meet the need of the ever-changing market where the trend is to make this kind of technology more accessible to a broader range of customers.
Companies on the market currently working with this technology include Tekcel's Tube Store, which uses a pick and place mechanism to sort tubes for delivery. TTP Labtech's pneumatic delivery system provides a range of storage tube sizes (0.5 ml or 1.4 ml). Thermo Electron's BioBank can stores up to 1000 microplates but has no cherry-picking functionality built-in.
UK-based RTS' SmartStore product starts with a 5000 plate capacity making it a much larger storage range of products.
The Small Size Store is available now, with further details available from REMP's website.
