PIXUL™ Multi-Sample Megasonicator
Highly reproducible, high-throughput parallel sample processing
Overview
Reproducible homogenization is obligatory to omics analyses with published reports revealing that sample processing causes 75% of the total error in proteomics with the vast majority, 72%, coming from sample extraction. PIXUL™ plus ProtiFi™ S-Trap™ and Si-Trap sample processing solve this problem. PIXUL™ is the first and only truly parallel multi-sample megasonicator. It is fast, simple, and inexpensive to operate. PIXUL delivers extremely consistent 2 MHz megasonication of 1 – 96 samples. This is a significantly higher frequency than other sonication systems which operate in the kilohertz range and delivers correspondingly shorter wavelengths to samples: 0.74 mm rather than 3 mm to >3 cm. PIXUL's tight waves provide the highest level of uniformity in homogenization and significantly reduce the presence of hot and cold spots. In addition, the cavitation events which do the work of sonic treatment occur at this high frequency to afford rapid sample processing. PIXUL is compact, 45 cm x 59 cm x 34 cm, and requires no special training nor consumables. PIXUL™ homogenization with S-Trap lysis buffer is the most efficient protein extraction system available and works for samples of all types including automated processing of FFPE samples. PIXUL stands for PIXelated ULtrasound is is unrivaled in its power and convenience. With PIXUL™, sample preparation is no longer an “art form”, but instead robust workflow that gives repeatable results day in and day out.
2. Touchscreen User Interface: Will initiate once the main power button is pressed. Use the touchscreen to circulate the PIXUL Coupling Fluid, select sonication parameters, monitor Coupling Fluid temperature, and monitor the time remaining for the run.
3. Exterior Lid: Lift to install sample plate. Lid must remain down during megasonication run.
4. Pressure Distribution Plate Cover: Sits directly on top of the sample plate and is secured down with the plate-securing rods.
5. Plate-Securing Rods: Once the sample plate has been placed with well A1 in the upper left corner and covered with the pressure distribution lid, clip these rods down to secure the plate prior to closing the exterior lid.
6. Coupling Fluid Reservoir: Lift cap to fill reservoir with PIXUL Coupling Fluid (approximately 0.5 L capacity). Add Coupling Fluid periodically to maintain the minimum level (about one inch below the top of the reservoir). It is recommended to drain old Coupling Fluid and add new Coupling Fluid every two months.
7. Drain: To drain the PIXUL Coupling Fluid from the Coupling Fluid reservoir, ensure that no plate is installed. Then, connect the drainage tubing to the drain. Coupling Fluid should begin to flow.
Highlights
- Unsurpassed ultrasonication consistency at an affordable price
- Consistently process 1-96 samples in parallel to avoid sample-processing bottlenecks
- 100% S-Trap, Si-Trap and HYPERsol compatible. Analyze samples of all kingdoms of life from cell cultures to tissues to FFPE blocks
- Sub ug to mg quantities
- Inexpensive consumables keep costs low
- Use up to 12 unique ultrasonication conditions on a single 96-well plate to simultaneously process different sample types or perform rapid condition optimization
- Lengthy water degassing unneeded
Low-cost operation
High-throughput sonication has been limited by the cost of consumables including expensive proprietary tubes, plates, and reagents. In contrast, PIXUL uses low cost, round-bottom plates that are directly compatible with cell culture and fixation, as well as the S-Trap and Si-Trap sample processing systems. This eliminates inconvenient sample transfer steps and reduces sample loss.
Highest level of reproducibility
In studies of DNA shearing, PIXUL always had the tightest distribution of fragment size.
