A new washer dispenser from Agilent Technologies Inc. offers a compact instrument that combines multifunctional reagent dispensing and plate-washing capabilities. The BioTek 406 FX incorporates expanded liquid handling features designed for integration into automated systems and standalone benchtop use.

The system includes secondary peristaltic and dual syringe pumps, a touchscreen interface and enhanced flexibility for automated workflows across a broad range of applications, such as cell-based and magneticSource: Agilent Technologies Inc. bead-based assays.

The additional reagent dispense pumps enable up to six different reagents to be dispensed using the pump technology best suited to each step of the workflow. Combining multiple assay workflow step capabilities in a single instrument is expected to be particularly beneficial for laboratories confronting space and budgetary constraints. The 406 FX plate carrier can be accessed from the right or left side, making it ideally suited for integration into robotic systems.

The flexible platform is intended to replace several instruments in one with multifunctional capabilities. The system is designed for cell-based assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and many other microplate-based workflows.