Beckman Coulter Biomek® 2000 Laboratory Automation Workstation

The Beckman Coulter Biomek® 2000 Laboratory Automation Workstation is used successfully in many forensic laboratories to automate DNA extraction from casework and database samples using the Promega DNA IQ™ System (1). This robotic platform enables the user to purify DNA from 8 to 96 (in increments of 8) aqueous or swab samples. DNA can be extracted from 96 samples on the Biomek® 2000 in as little as 2 hours without detectable cross-contamination. For more information about the instrumentation required to run these scripts, contact Beckman Coulter.

The Biomek® 2000 methods for the DNA IQ™ System make use of a more efficient shaker and electrical heater instead of a recirculating waterbath connected to a thermal exchange unit. In addition, to help further reduce the potential for cross-contamination when working with samples containing an excess of DNA, the collection plate that was previously used as the main working plate was replaced with a 1.2ml round-bottom deep-well plate. The greater well depth in this plate helps minimize the potential for cross-contamination due to splashing from well to well during shaking. A list of the Promega-supplied hardware and labware is given below.



Beckman Coulter Biomek® 2000 Setup for the DNA IQ™ System

Promega Hardware and Labware for Beckman Coulter Biomek® 2000 and 3000 Laboratory Automation Workstations for the DNA IQ™ System


Hardware

  • Variomag® Teleshake (110V, for North America use only) (Cat.# V6751)
  • Shaker Integration Plates (Cat.# V3691)
  • V&P Scientific Heating Block (110V, North America use only) (Cat.# V6761)
  • Deep Well Heat Transfer Block (Cat.# V6741)
  • MagnaBot® 96 Magnetic Separation Device (Cat.# V8151)
  • ΒΌ Inch Foam Spacer (Cat.# Z3301)

Labware

  • 1.2ml Round-Bottom Deep Well Plate (case of 50; Cat.# V6771)
  • 2.2ml Square-Well Deep Well Plate (Only required for aqueous methods) (case of 50; Cat.# V6781
  • Slicprep™ 96 Device (Only required for swab methods) (case of 10; Cat.# V1391)

Third-Party Vendor Labware for Beckman Coulter Biomek® 2000 Laboratory Automation Workstation for the DNA IQ™ System

  • Micro Tube Strips, 0.2ml, 8 Strip Tubes (Continental LabProducts Cat.# 3426.8S)
  • MicroAmp® 96-Well Support Base (Applied Biosystems Cat.# N801-0531)

Reference

1. Greenspoon, S.A. et al. (2004) Application of the BioMek 2000 laboratory automation workstation and the DNA IQ™ System to the extraction of forensic casework samples. J. Forensic Sci. 49, 29–39.