Pin Tools in High-Throughput Chemistry Enable Nanoscale Spotting for the Purdue “Make It” Platform High-throughput screening has become the core for pharmaceutical lead candidate discovery
The /ah Surface Energy Modification System Hydrophobic and Lipophobic Surface System for Metals and Ceramics Critical Surface Tension Background Many of our customers are concerned
The Right Pin Tool – Considerations The most important feature to consider is the transfer volume range. However, there are multiple factors that affect volume
The Issue The most important aspect in the successful use of pin tools is to start with clean pins. We strongly recommend that you use
For daily and between-transfer cleaning, V&P Scientific recommends the VP 110A Pin Cleaning Solution. This proprietary liquid uses a combination of acid and detergent to remove soiling caused
To maintain lower CV’s and care for your pin tools, we recommend the VP 110PT-R-Cleaning kit. This kit comes with everything you need to clean
| Pin | Description | nl Transferred | CV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.229 mm diameter (FP9) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 7.41 | 2.4 |
| Hydrophobic | 7.46 | 5.4 | ||
| 0.229 mm diameter (FP9) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | N/A | N/A |
| Hydrophobic | 2.09 | 3.8 | ||
| 0.457 mm diameter (FP1) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 33.48 | 3.2 |
| Hydrophobic | 28.17 | 7.5 | ||
| 0.457 mm diameter (FP1) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 16.96 | 4.5 |
| Hydrophobic | 8.51 | 0.8 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 87.32 | 3.9 |
| Hydrophobic | 77.4 | 3.9 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 48.77 | 1.2 |
| Hydrophobic | 43.05 | 9.4 | ||
| 1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 247.22 | 2.8 |
| Hydrophobic | 192.67 | 2.6 | ||
| 1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 76.35 | 1.6 |
| Hydrophobic | 108.4 | 2.8 | ||
| 1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 273.5 | 4.6 |
| Hydrophobic | 259.25 | 3.1 | ||
| 1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 201.93 | 5 |
| Hydrophobic | 170.04 | 7.5 |
Transfer Of Horseradish Peroxidase In Tris Buffered Saline With Pin Tools
Coating pins will reduce the total amount of liquid transferred and also reduce the amount of non-specific binding to the stainless-steel pins. If the substance you are transferring has high non-specific binding this will be an important factor in selecting your pins.
| Pin | Description | nl Transferred | CV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.229 mm diameter (FP9) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 7.41 | 2.4 |
| Hydrophobic | 7.46 | 5.4 | ||
| 0.229 mm diameter (FP9) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | N/A | N/A |
| Hydrophobic | 2.09 | 3.8 | ||
| 0.457 mm diameter (FP1) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 33.48 | 3.2 |
| Hydrophobic | 28.17 | 7.5 | ||
| 0.457 mm diameter (FP1) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 16.96 | 4.5 |
| Hydrophobic | 8.51 | 0.8 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 87.32 | 3.9 |
| Hydrophobic | 77.4 | 3.9 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 48.77 | 1.2 |
| Hydrophobic | 43.05 | 9.4 | ||
| 1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 247.22 | 2.8 |
| Hydrophobic | 192.67 | 2.6 | ||
| 1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 76.35 | 1.6 |
| Hydrophobic | 108.4 | 2.8 | ||
| 1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 273.5 | 4.6 |
| Hydrophobic | 259.25 | 3.1 | ||
| 1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 201.93 | 5 |
| Hydrophobic | 170.04 | 7.5 |
Transfer Of Horseradish Peroxidase In Tris Buffered Saline With Pin Tools
Although the slots in the pin are a precise volume, the liquid that is transferred is usually more. The reason for this is due to the surface tension of the liquid causing the liquid in the slot to “bow out” thus increasing the volume of the liquid in the slot. If is important for you to transfer exactly a certain volume we can make custom slots to match the surface tension characteristics of your liquid
| Solvent/Sample | Concentration | CV% | nl FITC Transferred | CV% | nl FITC Transferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated | Uncoated | Hydrophobic Coated | Hydrophobic Coated | ||
| DMSO (-) | 0 | 8.1 | 353.42 | 7.5 | 298.72 |
| DMSO + DNA (mg/ml) | 0.5 | 6.6 | 497.21 | 6.6 | 435.86 |
| 0.25 | 9 | 432.49 | 4.1 | 391.93 | |
| 0.125 | 8.9 | 363.64 | 0.9 | 344.75 | |
| 0.0625 | 2.3 | 381.86 | 2 | 331.68 | |
| 0.0313 | 1.5 | 378.03 | 4.4 | 331.71 | |
| 0.0156 | 1.2 | 357.52 | 1.4 | 329.03 | |
| Tris (-) | 0 | 4.9 | 577.31 | 7.2 | 493.53 |
| Tris + DNA (mg/ml) | 0.5 | 4.5 | 540.53 | 1.1 | 477.5 |
| 0.25 | 4.6 | 518.21 | 6.1 | 456.75 | |
| 0.125 | 15.8 | 583.25 | 4.1 | 438.82 | |
| 0.0625 | 4.2 | 551.17 | 3.1 | 433.69 | |
| 0.0313 | 4.4 | 536.66 | 2.3 | 458.37 | |
| 0.0156 | 2.9 | 528.53 | 1.2 | 441.1 | |
| Tris + BSA (%) | 4 | 5.4 | 462.13 | 11 | 409.27 |
| 1 | 4 | 452.86 | 2.7 | 426.58 | |
| 0.25 | 11.7 | 456.45 | 1.3 | 408.72 | |
| 0.0625 | 1.1 | 445.22 | 6.5 | 393.07 | |
| 0.0156 | 3.7 | 462.85 | 3.9 | 430.2 | |
| 0.0039 | 1.5 | 493.54 | 2.2 | 437.29 | |
| 0.001 | 2.9 | 504.25 | 0.7 | 475.96 |
1. Increasing the concentration of DNA (sheared salmon sperm) to .25 mg/ml significantly increases the volume of DMSO liquid transferred for both coated and uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
2. Increasing the concentration of DNA does not significantly increase the volume of Tris buffer (aqueous) transferred by both coated and uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
3. Increasing the concentration of BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) significantly decreases the volume of Tris buffer transferred by both coated and uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
4. Hydrophobic coated FP3S500 Slot Pins transferred less DMSO – DNA and less Tris DNA and less Tris BSA than the uncoated FP3S500 Slot Pins.
5. Both coated and uncoated FP3S500 pins transfer significantly more aqueous solution than DMSO.
| Solvent/Sample | Concentration | CV% | nl FITC Transferred | CV% | nl FITC Transferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated | Uncoated | Hydrophobic Coated | Hydrophobic Coated | ||
| DMSO (-) | 0 | 4.2 | 49.38 | 2.1 | 49.31 |
| DMSO + DNA (mg/ml) | 0.5 | 4.9 | 51.24 | 2.6 | 56.79 |
| 0.25 | 1.7 | 50.2 | 1.2 | 49.53 | |
| 0.125 | 1.5 | 51.27 | 2.3 | 49.77 | |
| 0.0625 | 2.2 | 49.34 | 4.1 | 48.19 | |
| 0.0313 | 1.2 | 49.03 | 0.2 | 50.23 | |
| 0.0156 | 2.4 | 45.9 | 1.4 | 46.64 | |
| Tris (-) | 0 | 2.6 | 89.51 | 2.9 | 91.34 |
| Tris + DNA (mg/ml) | 0.5 | 7 | 77.11 | 0.6 | 84.62 |
| 0.25 | 3.9 | 82.22 | 1.6 | 84.89 | |
| 0.125 | 3.9 | 85.42 | 1 | 85.08 | |
| 0.0625 | 1.5 | 85.36 | 2.8 | 85.03 | |
| 0.0313 | 2 | 84.52 | 3 | 88.19 | |
| 0.0156 | 2.6 | 82.92 | 2.8 | 83.2 |
1. In contrast to the FP3S500 data, increasing the concentration of DNA to .25 mg/ml does not significantly increase the volume of DMSO liquid transferred for both coated and uncoated FP1S50 Slot Pins.
2. Increasing the concentration of DNA does not significantly increase the volume of Tris buffer (aqueous) transferred by both coated and uncoated FP1S50 Slot Pins.
3. In contrast to the FP3S500 data, FP1S50 coated pins transferred about the same volume of DNA at all concentrations as did uncoated pins.
4. Both coated and uncoated FP1S50 pins transfer significantly more aqueous solution than DMSO.
5. The differences between the FP3S500 and the FP1S50 pin may be due to the different pin diameter’s effect on contact angle and therefore on the “wetting” of the pin. See the diagram on the link to / ah energy system.
| Pin | Description | nl Transferred | CV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.229 mm diameter (FP9) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 7.41 | 2.4 |
| Hydrophobic | 7.46 | 5.4 | ||
| 0.229 mm diameter (FP9) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | N/A | N/A |
| Hydrophobic | 2.09 | 3.8 | ||
| 0.457 mm diameter (FP1) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 33.48 | 3.2 |
| Hydrophobic | 28.17 | 7.5 | ||
| 0.457 mm diameter (FP1) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 16.96 | 4.5 |
| Hydrophobic | 8.51 | 0.8 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 87.32 | 3.9 |
| Hydrophobic | 77.4 | 3.9 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 48.77 | 1.2 |
| Hydrophobic | 43.05 | 9.4 | ||
| 1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 247.22 | 2.8 |
| Hydrophobic | 192.67 | 2.6 | ||
| 1.19 mm diameter (VP 409 & VP 386) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 76.35 | 1.6 |
| Hydrophobic | 108.4 | 2.8 | ||
| 1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384) | Total Pin | Uncoated | 273.5 | 4.6 |
| Hydrophobic | 259.25 | 3.1 | ||
| 1.58 mm diameter (VP 408 & VP 384) | Hanging Drop | Uncoated | 201.93 | 5 |
| Hydrophobic | 170.04 | 7.5 |
Hydrophobic coating pins will reduce the total amount of aqueous HRP liquid transferred and also reduce the amount of non-specific binding to the stainless-steel pins. If the substance you are transferring has high non-specific binding this will be an important factor in selecting your pins.
Pin diameter also has an effect on the degree of reduction of liquid transfer with hydrophobic coating as the smaller the diameter the less the reduction of transfer. This is most likely due to the curvature of the pin affecting the wetting contact angle
| Pin | Description | nl Transferred | CV% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.457 mm diameter (FP1) | 6 nl Slot | Total Pin* | Uncoated | 25.6 | 10.8 |
| Hydrophobic | N/A | N/A | |||
| 10 nl Slot | Total Pin* | Uncoated | 23.36 | 6.1 | |
| Hydrophobic | 25.85 | 6.9 | |||
| 50 nl Slot | Total Pin* | Uncoated | 67.83 | 2.5 | |
| Hydrophobic | N/A | N/A | |||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | 100 nl Slot | Total Pin* | Uncoated | 180.32 | 7.2 |
| Hydrophobic | 205.84 | 5.5 | |||
| 200 nl Slot | Total Pin* | Uncoated | 277.82 | 4.9 | |
| Hydrophobic | 287.3 | 3.8 | |||
| 500 nl Slot | Total Pin* | Uncoated | 581.16 | 5.2 | |
| Hydrophobic | 555.69 | 3 |
Hydrophobic coating pins will slightly increase the total amount of DMSO FITC liquid transferred.
| Pin | Description | nl Transferred | CV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | 100 nl Slot Total Pin, Including Slot | Uncoated | 195.69 | 1.6 |
| Hydrophobic | 170.2 | 2.9 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | 100 nl Slot, Slot Only | Uncoated | 149.67 | 4.9 |
| Hydrophobic | 129.61 | 7.6 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | 200 nl Slot Total Pin, Including Slot | Uncoated | 269.77 | 1.9 |
| Hydrophobic | 228.62 | 17.1 | ||
| 0.787 mm diameter (FP3) | 200 nl Slot, Slot Only | Uncoated | 237.52 | 8.9 |
| Hydrophobic | 186.9 | 5.9 |
Although the slots in the pin are a precise volume, the liquid that is transferred is usually more because of the volume carried on the sides of the pins.
As seen with other aqueous data the amount transferred on hydrophobic coated Slot pins is less than on uncoated Solid or Slot pins. Thus Hydrophobic coating has the most effect on aqueous transfers.
Note: Same volume (200ul for 96 Format and 74 ul for 384 Format) in recipient plates and same pin withdrawal speed for all pins. Changes to pin withdrawal speed or volume in the source plate can result in different volumes being transferred.
Transfer volumes should always be confirmed by customers for their assay conditions and automated system.
| Pin Type | Pin Diameter(mm) | Shape | 96 Format Low Range(nL)² | 96 Format High Range(nL)² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP9 | 0.229 | Solid | 13 | 39 |
| FP8 | 0.356 | Solid | 15 | 37 |
| FP1 | 0.457 | Solid | 22 | 61 |
| FP1S6 | 0.457 | 6nL Slot | 34 | 67 |
| FP1S10 | 0.457 | 10nL Slot | 39 | 74 |
| FP1S50 | 0.457 | 50nL Slot | 90 | 124 |
| FP3 | 0.787 | Solid | 93 | 213 |
| FP3S100 | 0.787 | 100nL Slot | 213 | 334 |
| FP3S200 | 0.787 | 200nL Slot | 311 | 449 |
| FP3S500 | 0.787 | 500nL Slot | 515 | 671 |
| FP4 | 0.914 | Solid | 126 | 289 |
| Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well | ||||
| Pin Type | Pin Diameter(mm) | Shape | 96 Format Low Range(nL)² | 96 Format High Range(nL)² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP9 | 0.229 | Solid | 13 | 38 |
| FP8 | 0.356 | Solid | ||
| FP1 | 0.457 | Solid | 23 | 60 |
| FP1S6 | 0.457 | 6nL Slot | 33 | 67 |
| FP1S10 | 0.457 | 10nL Slot | 40 | 75 |
| FP1S50 | 0.457 | 50nL Slot | 86 | 119 |
| FP3 | 0.787 | Solid | 76 | 209 |
| FP3S100 | 0.787 | 100nL Slot | 188 | 324 |
| FP3S200 | 0.787 | 200nL Slot | 288 | 436 |
| FP3S500 | 0.787 | 500nL Slot | 473 | 649 |
| FP4 | 0.914 | Solid | ||
| Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well | ||||
| Pin Type | Pin Diameter(mm) | Shape | Low Range(nL)² | High Range(nL)² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP | 1.58 | Solid Pointed | 175 | 594 |
| FPS.5 | 1.58 | 500nL Slot | 524 | 962 |
| FPS | 1.58 | 1000nL Slot | 1056 | 1476 |
| FPS2 | 1.58 | 2000nL Slot | 1739 | 2174 |
| FPS5 | 1.58 | 5000nL Slot | 5150 | 4953 |
| FP6 | 1.58 | Solid Flat | 465 | 960 |
| FP6S.5 | 1.58 | 500nL Slot | 934 | 1445 |
| FP6S | 1.58 | 1000nL Slot | 1396 | 1930 |
| FP6S2 | 1.58 | 2000nL Slot | 2072 | 2637 |
| FP6S5 | 1.58 | 5000nL Slot | 4820 | 4693 |
| Footnotes:(1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well for 96 Format and 75ul source plate volume per well for 384 Format |
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| Pin Type | Pin Diameter(mm) | Shape | 96 Format Low Range(nL)² | 96 Format High Range(nL)² | 384 Format Low Range(nL)³ | 384 Format High Range(nL)³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP9 | 0.229 | Solid | 4 | 10 | 3 | 8 |
| FP8 | 0.35 | Solid | 13 | 26 | 6 | 18 |
| FP1 | 0.457 | Solid | 18 | 43 | 11 | 31 |
| FP1S6 | 0.457 | 6nL Slot | 24 | 49 | 15 | 34 |
| FP1S10 | 0.457 | 10nL Slot | 30 | 54 | 21 | 40 |
| FP1S20 | 0.457 | 20nL Slot | 37 | 61 | 27 | 46 |
| FP1S30 | 0.457 | 30nL Slot | 46 | 68 | 35 | 54 |
| FP1S40 | 0.457 | 40nL Slot | 57 | 78 | 45 | 63 |
| FP1S50 | 0.457 | 50nL Slot | 70 | 90 | 56 | 75 |
| FP3 | 0.787 | Solid | 67 | 139 | 29 | 79 |
| FP4 | 0.91 | Solid | 94 | 197 | 34 | 98 |
| FP3S100 | 0.787 | 100nL Slot | 175 | 241 | 114 | 163 |
| FP3S200 | 0.787 | 200nL Slot | 280 | 332 | 203 | 250 |
| FP3S500 | 0.787 | 500nL Slot | 535 | 559 | 427 | 464 |
| FP4S1000 | 0.91 | 1000nL Slot | 940 | 1011 | 704 | 800 |
| FP4S2000 | 0.91 | 2000nL Slot | 1518 | 1608 | 1277 | 1362 |
| Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well (3) 75ul source plate volume per well | ||||||
| Pin Type | Pin Diameter (mm) | Shape | 96 Format Low Range(nL)² | 96 Format High Range(nL)² | 384 Format Low Range(nL)³ | 384 Format High Range(nL)³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP9H | 0.229 | Solid | 4 | 10 | 3 | 8 |
| FP8H | 0.35 | Solid | 9 | 24 | 6 | 17 |
| FP1H | 0.457 | Solid | 15 | 39 | 9 | 27 |
| FP1S6H | 0.457 | 6nL Slot | 23 | 49 | 14 | 32 |
| FP1S10H | 0.457 | 10nL Slot | 29 | 53 | 20 | 38 |
| FP1S20H | 0.457 | 20nL Slot | 35 | 59 | 26 | 43 |
| FP1S30H | 0.457 | 30nL Slot | 47 | 69 | 35 | 53 |
| FP1S40H | 0.457 | 40nL Slot | 54 | 75 | 41 | 58 |
| FP1S50H | 0.457 | 50nL Slot | 69 | 90 | 57 | 73 |
| FP3H | 0.787 | Solid | 67 | 134 | 27 | 76 |
| FP4H | 0.91 | Solid | 95 | 189 | 32 | 102 |
| FP3S100H | 0.787 | 100nL Slot | 170 | 227 | 108 | 164 |
| FP3S200H | 0.787 | 200nL Slot | 266 | 320 | 190 | 239 |
| FP3S500H | 0.787 | 500nL Slot | 520 | 542 | 416 | 456 |
| FP4S1000H | 0.91 | 1000nL Slot | 932 | 1000 | 741 | 805 |
| FP4S2000H | 0.91 | 2000nL Slot | 1571 | 1638 | 1351 | 1423 |
| Footnotes: (1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well (3) 75ul source plate volume per well | ||||||
| Pin Type | Diameter (mm) | Shape | 96 Format Low Range(nL)² | 96 Format High Range(nL)² | 384 Format Low Range(nL)³ | 384 Format High Range(nL)³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP | 1.58 | Solid Pointed | 147 | 411 | 168 | 395 |
| FPS.5 | 1.58 | 500nL Slot | 442 | 704 | 631 | 843 |
| FPS | 1.58 | 1000nL Slot | 893 | 1130 | 1343 | 1498 |
| FPS2 | 1.58 | 2000nL Slot | 1911 | 2038 | 2607 | 2767 |
| FPS5 | 1.58 | 5000nL Slot | 3908 | 4296 | 5180 | 5253 |
| FP6 | 1.58 | Solid Flat | 323 | 674 | 154 | 398 |
| FP6S.5 | 1.58 | 500nL Slot | 734 | 1042 | 855 | 1053 |
| FP6S | 1.58 | 1000nL Slot | 1210 | 1500 | 1638 | 1717 |
| FP6S2 | 1.58 | 2000nL Slot | 2299 | 2384 | 2787 | 3068 |
| FP6S5 | 1.58 | 5000nL Slot | 4329 | 4656 | 5237 | 5245 |
| Footnotes:(1) Delivery volume range is determined by speed of withdrawal from source liquid: Z-Speed Range = 1.5-30 mm/sec, slow speed = low volume delivery range, fast speed = high volume delivery range (2) 200ul source plate volume per well (3) 75ul source plate volume per well |
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