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Tecan Journal
English Edition 1/2003 - April 2003
Efficient, Accurate
and Very Hungry
ProTeam Advanced Digest:
Champion in Throughput
and Sensitivity Page 7
www.tecan.com
The Right Choice for the Job
The QUADRIGA- System in
Blood Donation Analysis Page 10
Increased Drug
Safety through
Genotyping
Page 4
ISSN 1617-7967

2
Contents
Genomics
Safe Pills - Increased Drug
Safety through Genotyping Page 4
Proteomics
Efficient, Accurate
and Very Hungry
Tecan Plus
Global News
Clinical
Diagnostics
The Right Choice
for the Job
Tecan Customer Support offers a
comprehensive package of services
Local News
New Products
Events
Page 7
Page 10
Page 12
Page 13
Preview on Conferences
and Trade Shows 2003
Page 3
Drug Discovery
The Genius for Fast Kinetics
Page 8
Page 14
Page 15
Editorial
Information that helps you to remain efficient
www.tecan.com
Dear Customer
I am very pleased and proud to introduce the first
worldwide issue of Tecan Journal, our customer
magazine. We hope this journal will give you a
broad overview of innovative solutions in laboratory
automation and will show you new technologies
and applications.
In each issue you will find articles on applications of Tecan instruments in
our customers’ laboratories. In this issue we give examples of two interesting
applications: the method of genotyping for improving drug safety (page 4) and
the Quadriga system for sample analysis in the Blood-Donation Center laboratories
in Bern (page 10).
We want to help you improve the efficiency of your daily laboratory work. With this
in mind, Tecan Journal will keep you up to date with our latest products. Last year,
Tecan developed and launched more products than ever in its 20 year history and we
are continuing our efforts in research and development at the same level. So you can
look forward to a whole range of new products’ which will help make your daily life
in the lab run faster and more efficiently.
In addition, each Tecan Journal contains further useful information such as details
of the extensive range of services our customer support team offers, or news and
tips related to laboratory automation. Tecan’s customer magazine will also keep you
up to date with opportunities to meet us at conferences and trade shows, where you
can see demonstrations of our instruments and solutions.
We hope that you will find this journal a source of invaluable information.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Emile C. Sutcliffe
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tecan Group Ltd.
Tecan Journal 1/2003

Opening Faster Tracks
to New Drugs
Tecan’s innovative solutions bring more
efficiency to the drug discovery process
The LabCD Disc is the heart of a completely
automated solution for ADMET assays.
Through its completely automated
functionality it eliminates one of the key
bottlenecks in the drug discovery process.
Rapidly rising drug development costs,
increasing competition, and changing
healthcare and regulatory environments
continue to be important reasons for
pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms
to strive for greater efficiencies. However,
despite heavy investment in new technologies,
the success rate for a drug candidate in
clinical trials is still around 1 in 10. The cost
of developing new drugs and bringing them
to market is now averaging US$ 802 million
and typically takes 10 to 15 years. 1
From novel detection technologies...
The rate limiting steps of bringing a drug
to market still dictate the pace of progress.
One such step includes the lack of suitable
detection technologies. In December 2002,
Tecan launched Ultra Evolution enabling
fluorescence lifetime measurements in
microplates. This additional detection mode
allows screening laboratories to circumvent
assay interference through compound
autofluorescence. The Ultra Evolution
multimode reader is a good example of
how Tecan’s solutions help to overcome
the major limitations in assay development,
compound characterization and drug
screening.
A second key bottleneck is the speed at
which ADMET (Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) assays
can be performed. These screening assays
are a critical step in determining quickly if
a drug candidate is suitable for further
development. In November 2002, Tecan
launched its revolutionary microfluidics
technology, the LabCD, which allows ADMET
assays to be performed quicker and at
reduced costs. Further applications are
planned for 2003.
Tecan’s innovative automated solutions all
share one common denominator: they play
a leading role in making the research and
development process more efficient.
...to low volume
multichannel pipetting
In 2003, Tecan will continue to launch
new products for researchers in the drug
discovery area. Aquarius, a new stand-alone
multichannel pipettor, and Te-MO 3/3 give
customers the choice of multichannel
pipetting options offering dispensing to 96or
384-well microtiterplate formats with or
without Tecan’s newly developed Impulse
technology. Impulse allows automated
multichannel pipetting, delivering volumes
down to the nanoliter range.
New detection devices such as Genios Pro
will support Assay Development and Drug
Screening applications. In addition, the Safire
scanning monochromator reader will become
available as a detection device for many
applications in assay development, compound
characterization and high throughput
screening. All of these solutions will provide
more flexibility to researchers in their daily
drug discovery activities.
1 http://csdd.tufts.edu/
Global News
Next generation test for BSE
Scientists at UCSF and InPro
Biotechnology have developed a highly
sensitive test to detect prions that cause
mad cow disease (BSE). The new
immunoassay is able to identify prion
infections at very low levels and will be
used to develop a diagnostic test for this
disease. A large number of samples
were processed for this study (Nature
Biotechnology {2002} 20: 1147-1150) and
an automated protocol for this assay was
developed using Tecan’s Genesis Robotic
Sample processor.
An atlas of gene
expression patterns
GenePaint technology was recently used
in a study to map the genes expressed
from human chromosome 21 in the
mouse (Nature {2002} 420: 582-586).
This task would have been extremely
protracted without the automation of in
situ hybridization which was enabled by
Tecan’s Genesis robotic platform. This
application was developed by scientists
at the Max Planck Institute (Hannover,
Germany) and allows an atlas of gene
expression patterns in the mouse to be
established (http://www.genepaint.org).
Collaboration for HCV
and HIV assays
Abbott Laboratories and Tecan signed
a long-term supply agreement for the
development and commercialization of
an automated sample preparation system
for molecular diagnostic assays.
The system is based on a novel magnetic
separator system, proprietary to Abbott,
which will be integrated onto Tecan’s
Genesis Freedom automated workstation.
This new system is designed to streamline
the nucleic acid sample preparation steps
prior to performing Abbott’s molecular
diagnostic assays for hepatitis C virus
and HIV.
Tecan Journal 1/2003 3
www.tecan.com

4
Genomics
Safe Pills - Increased Drug Safety
through Genotyping
Tracking protein polymorphisms with automated pharmacogenetics
Michael Zuehlsdorf, PhD, Bayer AG
Dr. M. Zuehlsdorf. Figure 1: Overview of the genomics automation at Bayer AG.
Efficacy and side effects of drugs depend on
the concentration of the compound in the
plasma as well as the individual expression
of the drug target. The exact same dose of a
drug can yield different concentrations of
the compound in the patient’s plasma due
to genetic polymorphisms in the proteins
involved in pharmacokinetics. This can even
result in reduced efficacy or undesirable
side effects. After analyzing the patient’s
genotype and phenotype the dose of a drug
compound can be individually adjusted to
the patient’s enzyme status according to the
clinically relevant protein-polymorphisms.
This would result in a higher drug safety
especially for compounds with a low
therapeutic index. Analyzing genotypes
and phenotypes can be done by modern
lab automation devices which produce
standardized and reliable results.
Preparation is the key to
successful drug discovery
Pharmacogenetics supports the clinical
studies of the Bayer AG Institute for
Clinical Pharmacology/Pharmacodynamics/
Biochemical Pharmacology drug discovery
program. An individual’s genotype is
analyzed prior to the beginning of the
clinical study. The goal is to predict the
effect of the studied compound through
evaluating the genotype and the known
pharmacokinetic behavior.
The reason for these individual differences
is the difference in concentration or even
the lack of certain enzymes that are involved
in metabolizing the drug. If the enzymes
involved in metabolizing the drug are
subject to genotypical polymorphisms the
exact same dose could yield different plasma
concentrations in different patients. This can
severely influence the therapeutic effect of
the drug.
Broad therapy vs. individual therapy
There are two ways of dealing with this
problem: either the compound is replaced
by a substance that is not metabolized by
enzymes that have this effect (broad therapy)
or the patient’s genotype is analyzed prior
to the therapy in order to adjust the dose
individually to the patient (individual therapy).
If analyzed, the dose that yields the desired
plasma concentration can be calculated and
administered thus maximizing the success
of the therapy.
Three systems by tecan
automate genotyping
The Bayer AG Institute for Clinical
Pharmacology/Pharmacodynamics/
Biochemical Pharmacology uses three Tecan
systems for automated genotyping (Fig. 1).
The complete genomics process is therefore
standardized.
www.tecan.com
System 1: Sample preparation
A Freedom 200 with a cabinet, a centrifuge,
8-channel Liquid Handling Arm with
disposable tips and a “Pick & Place” arm
for tubes that can also load the centrifuge
buckets into the centrifuge with a separate
tool (Fig. 2).
System 2: DNA extraction
A Genesis RSP 150 using two Te-MagS
for DNA extraction with magnetic beads.
System 3: Measuring purified DNA,
normalization, PCR setup, plate sealing
and amplification
A TRAC System with a Genesis RSP 150,
a Genios microplate reader, cooling units,
sealer, two MJ Tetrad thermocyclers and an
ORCA robot arm on a three meter rail.
The microplate sealer and the thermocycler
are not yet integrated into the automated
process and are operated manually.
Automated genotyping
with three Tecan systems
Tecan Journal 1/2003

Genotyping
In a first step the total DNA is extracted
from the patient’s blood. This is followed by
a PCR reaction with allele-specific primers.
System 1: Sample preparation with the
Freedom 200
• Samples are held in barcoded tubes.
A maximum of 96 tubes are placed in
a Tecan Strip-Rack.
• Freedom 200 scans the barcodes of
the samples.
• 1 ml of whole blood is transferred to
a Micronic tube as an archive.
• 3 ml of whole blood are transferred to
secondary tubes containing lysis buffer.
• The samples are homogenized through
centrifugation and incubated at room
temperature. During this incubation step
erythrocytes but not leucocytes are lysed.
• The “Pick & Place” arm places the tubes in
the centrifuge bucket and places the full
bucket into the centrifuge (Hettich
Rotanda) and, after the centrifugation
step, back to the workbench (Figs. 3 and 4).
• For transporting the centrifuge bucket
into the centrifuge the “Pick & Place” arm
uses a separate tool (Figs. 2 and 3).
• During centrifugation the leucocytes
form a pellet.
• The supernatant containing the lysed
erythrocytes is discarded.
• Lysis buffer for leucocytes is added, the
solution is homogenized, incubated and
quantitatively transferred into a deep
well microplate.
• Final step of sample preparation:
The microplate is manually placed into
System 2 for DNA extraction.
All plates and tubes are barcode labeled.
Therefore an exact identification and tracking
of all material is possible at all times.
All devices are connected to a Laboratory
Information System (LIMS) which collects
and provides data for evaluation.
Figure 2: Tecan Freedom 200 Left: “Pick & Place arm” with sample tubes and centrifuge buckets,
centrifuge below.
Genomics
System 2: DNA extraction with the Genesis
RSP 150 and Te-MagS
• The deep well plates containing the lysed
leucocyte solution are placed on System 2.
The barcode is identified.
• In each run the two Te-MagS extract DNA
from a maximum of 96 samples (2 x 48)
using magnetic beads according to a
standard protocol (Figs. 4 and 5).
The “Agowa mag Maxi DNA Isolation Kit
Plus” is used for the extraction (the protocol
for this kit can be downloaded as a pdf file at
http://www.agowa.de/struktur/magneticba
sis.html).
In an eight hour workday the system yields
a throughput of eight runs with 96 samples
in each run (768 samples per workday).
System 3: Measuring purified DNA,
normalization, PCR setup, plate sealing and
amplification with the TRAC equipment
• The concentration of DNA in the
microplates is measured with Picogreen
fluorescence in the Genios reader.
• The Genesis RSP 150 normalizes the DNA
and prepares the PCR reaction mix.
• The microplate is sealed, put in the
thermocycler (MJ Tetrad) and the
amplification is started.
Drug dosage and therapeutic success
The qualitative result of the PCR with the
allele-specific primers shows whether an
allele is homozygous, heterozygous or
absent. The result allows a prediction of
the enzyme status and, based on this, an
adjustment of the drug dosage. This is a
pre-requisite for attaining the desired
plasma concentration and thereby
maximizing the success of the therapy.
Tecan Journal 1/2003 5
www.tecan.com

6
Genomics
Figure 3: Dr. Zuehlsdorf in front of the facility
Right: “Pick & Place arm” with sample tubes
and centrifuge buckets, centrifuge below.
Figure 4: Two Te-MagS on a Genesis RSP 150
ensure perfect DNA extraction using magnetic
beads.
Advantages of genotyping
Drug manufacturers can, based on the
results of genotyping, either produce an
assortment of tailored drugs for patient
subpopulations or focus on the production
of broad therapy drugs which are not
affected by genetic polymorphisms and thus
are applicable to the majority of the total
population. Eventually this will lead to a
broader range of drugs on the market since
different therapeutic methods will become
available for different genotypes and
phenotypes. Both the choice of drug and
its dosage will be tailored to the individual.
The use of genotyping for the evaluation of
different protein-polymorphisms allows an
early estimate of the potential of new drug
Figure 5: DNA Extraction with magnetic beads. The magnets are automatically placed between
the sample tubes. The beads are drawn to the tubewalls, the supernatant can be easily exhausted
with a pipette.
www.tecan.com
Automated genotyping
for increased drug safety
targets as well as different drug
candidates. Scarce resources can be used
more effectively and focused on the most
promising candidates. Preclinical toxicology
and the identification and establishment of
biomarkers and surrogate markers (markers
that correlate with drug efficacy and clinical
endpoints) will face new trends through
genome analysis. This will increase the
accuracy of efficacy predictions of new drugs
for patients. Pharmacogenetics will be used
for drug discovery especially in Phase I and II
trials. The safety of these trials will be greatly
increased, side effects will be reduced and
costs of clinical trials will be significantly
reduced.
Michael Zuehlsdorf, PhD
Bayer AG
Institute for Clinical Pharmacology/
Pharmacodynamics/Biochemical
Pharmacology
42096 Wuppertal
Germany
T: +49-202 364231, F: +49-202 364115
michael.zuehlsdorf.mz@bayer-ag.de
Tecan Journal 1/2003

Efficient, Accurate and Very Hungry
Equipped with the DirectSpot Technology the ProTeam Advanced Digest offers
a maximum of sensitivity and throughput
ProTeam Advanced Digest allows sample preparation for mass spectrometry on a single platform.
Equipped with the DirectSpot Technology
the ProTeam Advanced Digest offers
a maximum of sensitivity and throughput.
In modern academic, biotech and
pharmaceutical proteomics laboratories
the need for an efficient, automated system
that extracts proteins from gels before mass
spectrometry (MS) analysis increases rapidly.
In order to tackle this problem Tecan has
added a new member to the ProTeam
family – the ProTeam Advanced Digest.
One platform for all tasks
The system combines all four steps of
sample preparation for MS on a single
platform:
• Controlled enzymatic digestion of protein
samples (in-Gel and in-solution).
• Extraction of peptide samples from
in-gel digests.
• Peptide sample clean-up and concentration.
• Direct spotting of peptide samples onto
MALDI targets.
The combination of all four steps in a single
well minimizes the number of pipetting
steps and therefore greatly increases
throughput and sensitivity. DirectSpot,
the technology that allows this combination,
uses the unique TecPrep 96 solid phase
extraction (SPE) plate. This allows
a sensitivity down to low fmol range
facilitating access to very low abundance
proteins.
High speed on all tasks
The TecPrep 96 SPE plate processes up to 96
samples in parallel. The system is scaleable
which allows the processing of up to 3500
samples per day, but it can also handle
individual samples in an economic way.
That is why we like to call the Advanced
Digest our “Hungry Gourmet” that has no
problems dealing with big menus as well
as small snacks.
Proteomics
A schematic drawing of the TecPrep 96 SPE
plate (top) and seen from below (bottom).
The unique
DirectSpot Technology
The Tecan TecPrep 96 protein sample
preparation technique is a unique
combination of SPE, microplate and
needle spotting technologies that offers
unparalleled sample recovery with its
single well processing capability and is
capable of being used with numerous
MALDI targets. A minimum number of
pipetting steps reduces non-specific
binding and loss of protein.
The Chromolith capillary inside TecPrep 96 is
manufactured by Merck KgaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Tecan Journal 1/2003 7
www.tecan.com

8
Drug Discovery
The Genius for Fast Kinetics
The new GENios Pro multipurpose reader and dispenser
makes precise analysis of fast kinetics amazingly easy
Figure 1: GENios Pro, the multipurpose reader.
Analyzing fast kinetics - like reporter gene assays - is still often a problem in many labs since
pipetting all the reagents and putting the microplate in the reader are time-consuming steps.
This usually prevents measurement of the most critical first few seconds. Tecan’s broad
experience in high-end detection and precise liquid handling has now been combined in the
new GENios Pro Multipurpose reader - a device that can simultaneously pipette reagents and
measure reaction kinetics.
With the new GENios Pro (Fig. 1) Tecan offers a broadly applicable, highly flexible multipurpose
reader. The GENios Pro is ideal for academic research and biotechnology as well as
pharmaceutical research.
GENios Pro - the new
multipurpose reader
The GENios Pro supports fluorescence
polarization (FP), fluorescence intensity (FI),
time-resolved fluorescence (TRF),
fluorescence resonance energy transfer
(FRET), absorption and temperature control.
Tecan also offers additional units including
luminescence with integrated bioluminescence
resonance energy transfer (BRET) capability, an
expandable injector system for dispensing
reagents and a bottom reading option for
assays with adherent cells (available from
July 2003).
Independent optics guarantee
excellent performance
The integration of independent optical
systems for measuring luminescence and
top and bottom fluorescence guarantees
maximum sensitivity and a broad dynamic
range of measurement in all detection modes.
Unlike many other multipurpose readers,
the GENios Pro does not make any technical
compromises that would reduce performance
and accuracy. The reader meets Tecan’s strict
quality standards allowing you reliable
results at all times.
www.tecan.com
GENios Pro:
multipurpose reader with
triple injectors and six
detection modes
Dispense system with
up to three injectors
GENios Pro can operate two or three
optional injectors for 96- and 384-well
plates. This allows simultaneous dispensing
of reagents and reaction analysis (Fig. 3).
The high precision syringe pumps with
coated injectors guarantee reliable
performance and thorough mixing of the
reagents dispensed. Additionally this system
allows to back-fill remaining reagents into
the storage containers (Fig. 4). This helps
you save reagents and costs. An automated
cleaning system makes injector maintenance
easy to perform.
Tecan Journal 1/2003

Figure 2: Loading a 384 well plate into GENios Pro.
Highly flexible plate handling
The system is suitable in all detection modes
for 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96- and 384- well plates.
Cell-based assays with bottom
reading option and well scanning
The bottom reading option allows optimal
results for cell-based assays with adherent
cells, including cell viability studies and
reporter gene assays with GFP (Green
Fluorescent Protein). Since adherent cells
do not tend to grow evenly in microplates,
a well-scanning function is available in the
Xfluor software package that allows you to
define different points of measurement on
the well surface.
Double impact - reporter gene
assays with flashlight-measurement
Fast kinetic reactions that are used, for
example, in reporter gene assays for the
study of eukaryotic gene expression require
a high-end detector. The reaction mechanism
creates a very short flash of light with an
extremely fast fading time. This creates the
need for a fast measurement right after
pipetting the reagents. GENios Pro uses
on-board dispensers which allows on-board
dispensing of up to two reagents e.g. for
dual reporter gene assays. These assays are
Figure 3: The triple injector station of the
dispenser system.
used in transfection experiments with
cultivated cells in order to minimize
variations that might occur due to different
numbers of cells and different transfection
efficiencies between two experiments. This
is no longer a problem with the use of the
GENios Pro.
Measuring ion flux, apoptosis and
many other processes with flash
fluorescence
Monitoring ion flux (Ca2+ ) is an important
method for studying the activity of ion
channels, G-protein coupled receptors,
apoptosis and cellular repair mechanisms.
Although these processes differ in their
kinetics and concentrations of calcium levels,
there are common ways of monitoring them
via luminescence and fluorescence labels.
The GENios Pro, equipped with its advanced
injector system and bottom reading optics, is
well suited for Flash Fluorescence applications.
It has been optimized to allow monitoring of
fast fluorescence reactions, requiring
simultaneous dispensing and fluorescence
reading in 96- well plates. Physiological
processes showing a slower Calcium flux can
additionally be monitored in 384- well plates.
Drug Discovery
Measuring 6- to 384-well plates
Figure 4: The integrated reagent reservoirs
and precision pumps allow dispensing of
up to 2 different reagents.
GENios Pro and Bioluminescence
resonance energy transfer
(BRET) assays
BRET assays with Renilla-luciferase are
commonly used for the study of G-protein
coupled receptor activity. Although the timing
for this assay is less critical in the 96-well
format, it becomes an issue in higher density
plate formats. With the GENios Pro equipped
with the injector system that allows
simultaneous dispensing and reading in 96and
384- well plates this is no longer an issue.
Summary
The GENios Pro is not only equipped with
an injector system for flash luminescence
and flash fluorescence applications but also
offers excellent optical characteristics that
can be used in up to six different detection
modes. All of these features are combined
in one easy to use device. This makes the
GENios Pro a broad multipurpose reader for
many applications in proteomics, genomics
and drug discovery, including gene
expression analysis, luciferase assays,
bioluminescence resonance energy transfer
(BRET) assays, molecular interactions and
cellular assays.
Tecan Journal 1/2003 9
www.tecan.com

Clinical Diagnostics
The Right Choice for the Job
The QUADRIGA- System in blood donation analysis
Mauro Graziani, Dr. Christoph Niederhauser, Donation Analysis Lab, Blood Donation Centre, Bern
Mauro Graziani with the QUADRIGA System, right: Plate Station.
The QUADRIGA-System has been established
in the Donation Analysis Lab at the Blood
Donation Center in Bern since June 2002.
QUADRIGA is a fully automated solution
that screens for infection markers in donor
and patient blood samples on microplates.
This is an excellent example of integration
engineering of Tecan instruments with
other analytical instrumentation. It replaces
the FAME and ATplusSystems by Hamilton
which had been in use since 1994.
The purpose of the system
With the QUADRIGA we test each sample
for HBs antigen, anti-HIV, anti-HCV and, for
donor samples coming from Lausanne, we
additionally test for anti-CMV. The system
also pipettes the microplates for the
10
alanineaminotransferase (ALAT) assay. ALAT
is a marker for liver inflammation. The ALAT
assay is then run on a different system.
Installation of the QUADRIGA-System
Since the device needs an air conditioned
room with a minimum of 24 sqm we had to
move our reference lab. After that we began
to prepare the room: air conditioning, water,
drainage, electricity etc. had to be set up. In
mid-April we began the system installation,
which was followed by a test and verification
phase. After thorough tests the system
became fully operational on June 11th 2002.
The four QUADRIGA components
Four components from different manufacturers
complete the QUADRIGA-System. All of these
www.tecan.com
have been used as stand-alone units for
some time in many labs. The innovation of
QUADRIGA is the combination of these four
components, which are:
1. Plate station
All plates are pre-positioned here.
Identification of plates is guaranteed
through barcoding. After processing,
the plates are also stored in this unit.
2. ORCA robot arm
ORCA is a fully maneuverable robot arm
running on a three meter rail. The arm
transports the plates from the plate station
to the pipetting station. After pipetting it
moves the plates into the analyzers and
when the analysis is complete the plates are
again placed in the plate station for storage.
3. Pipetting stations
Two Genesis RSP 200 are used as pipetting
stations. These devices handle all preparatory
pipetting steps and also add the required
reagents to the right wells.
4. Analyzers
Four BEP® III (DADE Berhing) are used as
analyzers. Additionally a fifth BEP III is built
in as a backup device. However, only four
devices are loaded by the ORCA arm. Each of
the BEP III and also both Genesis RSP 200s
are operated by a PC. Supervision of the
whole process is handled by a host computer
system which runs on Tecan’s FACTS software.
Productivity and throughput
With the current settings each Genesis
RSP 200 can perform a maximum of four
pipetting steps on 720 samples per run,
which adds up to a total of 5,760 pipetting
steps. However, this number is limited by
the BEP analyzers which can incubate a
maximum of ten microplates at a time.
With 88 samples per plate this adds up to a
total of 3,530 analyses per run for the whole
QUADRIGA-System. If fully loaded, one run
takes approximately five hours, not including
Tecan Journal 1/2003

approximately 1.5 hours for sample and
system preparation. This seemingly long
preparation time decreases as staff become
familiar with the procedure. The overall
maximum number of samples to be
processed and analyzed (four tests) in 6.5
to 7 hours is 880. Several modifications
can increase this amount to 1,200 samples,
however, this would mean that the system
is operating at the absolute maximum
capacity and with this large amount of
samples handled the slightest problem
could lead to serious delays.
Operating the QUADRIGA System
Operating the individual components is
fairly easy and intuitive to learn. The complete
system operations, when used on a routine
basis, can be learned within a few days.
A basic knowledge and understanding of
computers is however essential. Currently
we have trained two “superusers” who not
only have a thorough understanding of
the system but were also trained on the
individual components. Our goal is that all
users of the system eventually reach the
same level of knowledge
Conclusion
After several months of working with the
QUADRIGA-System we have eliminated all
the initial teething problems that are normal
when setting up a new system of this size.
We are confident that establishing the
QUADRIGA-System in our lab was the perfect
choice. With a system of this size we are now
well prepared for the forthcoming challenges
in analyzing infection markers in blood samples.
The QUADRIGA-System was developed
in collaboration with Dade Behring.
Mauro Graziani, Dr. phil.nat.
FAMH Christoph Niederhauser
Blutspendedienst SRK Bern AG
Murtenstraße 133 CH-3008 Bern
T: +41-31 384 2374, F: +41-31 384 2381
mauro.graziani@bsd-be.ch
The two Genesis RSP 200 units in the QUADRIGA System.
Mauro Graziani with the BEP III.
Clinical Diagnostics
Fully automated
blood donation sample
analysis with QUADRIGA
Tecan Journal 1/2003 11
www.tecan.com

12
Tecan Plus
Take Advantage of our Experience
Tecan customer support offers a comprehensive package of services
When you buy a Tecan instrument, look
a little deeper and you will see Tecan’s
extensive worldwide customer support
network. It offers the following services:
Helpdesk
Wherever you are in the world, whether you
have a problem with your Tecan equipment
or you need to order consumables, you can
contact your nearest Tecan helpdesk*.
A Tecan advisor will be able to help you in
your local language and will take control of
your problem.
Technical support/application
service
A good place to start is by keeping your
instruments in peak condition. Regular
servicing helps to maintain the high
standards of accuracy and precision that
you need, as well as minimizing instrument
downtime. At Tecan you can be sure there
are professionals that know every inch of
your machine and its history. Our experts
will even implement and optimize new
assays for you on your Tecan instrument,
so why not let them take the time, cost
and frustration out of the process?
Preventive maintenance
With a comprehensive Tecan preventive
maintenance service contract, tailored to
your exact needs, you will significantly
increase the life span and productivity
of your instruments.
Upgrades
Equipment upgrades are an all-important
part of keeping up with, if not one-step
ahead of, your competitors. Our highly
qualified engineers can complete any
technical upgrades that you need.
Training
Get trained by certified experts - the key
for success! Tecan’s comprehensive training
program enables the trainees to build up
the necessary knowledge to optimize and
maximize the productivity of Tecan devices.
These training courses will provide trainees
a thorough learning experience. You can
be confident in receiving the very best
education from skilled professionals who are
experts in their respective fields. To obtain,
at first hand, the information needed in your
daily work call your nearest Tecan office.
www.tecan.com
Tecan customer support -
added value for the customer
• Tecan’s customer support network
provides services of outstanding
quality and value to the customer.
• Customer focus is paramount. Our help
desks, expert lines, task forces and field
service organizations are looking
forward to prove this to you.
• We aim to provide our customers with
courteous, timely and efficient service
that will exceed their expectations and
equal the best in business.
• We continually tailor our services and
solutions to the requirements of the
marketplace.
*See the back cover of this issue for a list
of Tecan offices.
Tecan Journal 1/2003

Nothing can Stop this
Workhorse from Processing
your Samples
Through its new features, the well-proven Genesis FE500
Workcell offers even more reliability and versatility
The Genesis FE500 Workcell offers many
functions to increase efficiencies and
productivity in your laboratory.
The Genesis FE500 Workcell is a fully
automated platform, which meets the
sample processing requirements of hospitals,
research institutes and other clinical
laboratories throughout the world. Since its
introduction in 2000, the FE500 has rapidly
become known as a reliable workhorse for
the whole range of sample handling tasks
that are necessary before analytical testing
in core departments. Through its flexibility
and compact footprint it can be fitted into
almost any existing laboratory setup to
enhance the sample flow.
As a response to requests from customers,
Tecan has implemented several new features
on the FE500. These include:
• A modular system. The new modular
system offers more options in the
selection of modules for a perfect fit
to the specific activities performed by
each laboratory. Customers can now
choose between different options for
the individual processing steps: specimen
sorting; centrifugation; decapping;
secondary tube labelling and aliquoting;
and serum volume verification.
• A tube inspection unit. The new system
offers users a tube inspection unit, which
scans the whole length of the tube to
measure the exact liquid volume. Since
The barcode label does not prevent the new
tube inspection unit of the FE500 from
detecting liquid levels.
detection is possible through the tube
label, the complete tube may be covered
by barcode labels (up to three layers).
This feature is also available as an
upgrade feature for existing users.
• Improved archiving solutions. The new
archiving options, which are implemented
in the new system software, enable the
full separation of sample from primary
to secondary tubes. After sample volume
measurement, labelled secondary tubes
are prepared to receive the corresponding
aliquots and the remnant sample for
archiving. Tubes are then moved to
defined unloading positions.
By streamlining laboratory operations, the
FE500 helps you to cut overall operating
expenses while assuring consistent sample
processing, improving the safety of sample
handling and expanding your testing capacity.
Through the availability of modular options,
you may select the elements necessary to
enable the best sample processing strategy
for your laboratory. This versatility makes the
FE500 now an even more valuable investment.
For more information on our products visit
http://www.tecan.com or contact your local
Tecan representative.
Multi-channel pipetting
in a bench top format
New Products
Aquarius is an automated multi-channel
pipetting system from Tecan that makes
optimal use of laboratory space. This
compact multi-channel pipetting system
can be used for a wide range of applications
in genomics and drug discovery. Aquarius
uses both 96- and 384-well pipetting
heads and has the built-in flexibility
to use fixed and disposable 96-well
manifolds interchangeably. The system
can be used for medium-to-high
throughput sample dispensing for
compound logistics, assay development,
and drug screening processes, as well
as PCR and sequencing reaction set-up
procedures used in genomics.
The reader software that
accepts your signature
Magellan Tracker, the new version of
Tecan’s popular reader software provides
the full functionality required by the
21 CFR part 11 regulation of the FDA
on electronic records. The new features
include a user administration with access
controls and authority checks via user
identification codes and password.
Magellan Tracker ensures the retrieval
of the complete history of the data
records through computer generated
time and date stamped audit trails
and implementation of non-biometric
electronic signatures. Magellan Tracker
is available as an option for new readers
and as an upgrade for existing readers
using the Magellan software.
Does your microplate reader
need a feeding station?
Are you tired of loading your reader
with microplates piece by piece? The
new Connect microplate stacker system
is a fast, easy-to-use instrument for
batch processing that can increase the
throughput of a wide range of detectionbased
applications. Connect offers
complete walk-away batch processing
for microplates. This product supports
the full range of Tecan’s stand-alone
detection systems.
Tecan Journal 1/2003 13
www.tecan.com

Events
Tecan on the Road
Preview on Conferences and Trade Shows 2003
Tecan’s impressive presence at this year’s
LabAutomation included a booth with a desertthemed
décor where visitors could witness live
demonstrations of all of Tecan’s major products.
14
Date Event Location
France:
25th-26th September The 7th European Biotech Crossroads Nantes www.biotech-nantes.com
Germany:
19th-24th May Achema Frankfurt www.achema.de
7th-9th October Biotechnica Hannover www.biotechnica.de
Japan:
4th May International BioEXPO JAPAN Tokyo web.reedexpo.co.jp/bio/english/
23rd June Protein Science Society of Japan Sapporo edpex104.bcasj.or.jp/pssj/
8th October The Japanese Society for the Study of Xenobiotics Sapporo xenobio.kopas.co.jp/
15th October The 76th Annual Meeting of the Yokohama edpex104.bcasj.or.jp/jbs2003/
Japanese Biochemical Society english/eindex.htm
Switzerland:
12th-15th May MipTec Basel www.messebasel.ch/miptec/
UK:
3rd-6th May 35th European Human Genetics (ESHG) Birmingham www.eshg.org
13th-15th May Focus 2003 (Clinical) Manchester www.focus-acb.org
21st-23rd May EuroBiochip London www.eurobiochip.com
27th-30th May ICES (Proteomics) Glasgow www.bspr.org
25th-26th November International Biotech & Europe LabAutomation London www.labautomationeurope.com
USA:
19th-21st May ASM Washington DC www.asmusa.org
20th-24th July AACC Philadelphia, PA www.aacc.org/2003am/
10th-15th August Drug Discovery Technology Boston, MA www.drugdisc.com
Always up to date: http://www.tecan.com/index/com-ev-entry.htm
An outstanding opportunity to meet Tecan:
LabAutomation 2003 brought together leading
providers of laboratory automation technologies
Tecan is well known for its outstanding
products and its customer orientation.
The LabAutomation 2003 conference and
tradeshow from 1st-5th February in Palm
Springs (CA) was an excellent opportunity to
experience this directly. The conference is the
premier international meeting for scientists,
technology specialists, industry decision
www.tecan.com
makers and managers interested in emerging
laboratory technologies. The tradeshow,
organized in conjunction with the conference,
features the leading providers in the
growing area of laboratory automation
technologies. In line with its role as a key
player in this league, Tecan supported this
important event as an official sponsor.
Tecan Journal 1/2003

Visitors from all over the world had
the opportunity to see that Tecan is an
outstanding provider with a lot to offer. At
the eye-catching booth with a desert-themed
décor they could witness live demonstrations
of all of Tecan’s major products. These
included the newly launched Aquarius,
Connect, Te-MO 3/3 and Ultra Evolution.
More than a dozen technical posters,
a presentation and two workshops
Tecan in Nagasaki - New solutions for drug discovery and drug testing
The Oura catholic church in Nagasaki was
completed in 1864. The oldest church in Japan
is now one of Nagasaki’s most popular tourist
attractions.
Masthead
Tecan Journal
Customer Magazine of Tecan Group Ltd.
ISSN 1617-7967
Circulation: 8800 copies (German),
8000 copies (English
Publisher: Tecan Group Ltd.
Editor: Dr. Josef Syfrig
Address: Tecan Group Ltd.,
Seestrasse 103, CH-8708 Männedorf, Switzerland
Tel: +41 1 922 88 88 Fax: +41 1 922 88 90
E-Mail: josef.syfrig@tecan.com
Internet: http://www.tecan.com
contributed to the attractiveness of Tecan’s
presence at LabAutomation. Greg Kellogg
from Tecan Boston gave a podium
presentation on “New Developments in
Centrifugal Microfluidics”. In addition,
visitors could follow two technical
workshops organized by Tecan, one cohosted
with Millipore and one with IDBS. The
latter was dedicated to the new integration
of IDBS’ ActivityBase data management
The annual meeting and exhibition of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan was held
March 27th-29th in Nagasaki, Japan.
Design and Layout: Northbank Communications
Meadowside, Mountbatten Way, Congleton CW12 1DN, UK
E-Mail: s.platz@northbankcommunications.com
Pre-Press and Printing: Printfine Ltd, Gibralter Row,
King Edward Industrial Estate, Liverpool L3 7HJ, UK
Copyright: All rights are reserved by Tecan Journal
Photos and Illustrations: Tecan Germany GmbH,
Tecan Group Ltd, Northbank Communications
Typography: Type set in Thesis from LucasFonts
Subscription: For a free subscription to Tecan Journal, please
contact your nearest sales office (see back cover of this issue)
or send an e-mail to: tecan@tecan.com.
Local News
software on the Genesis Assay Workstation.
This new offering is the only one of its kind,
providing scientists with a ready-to-use
automation and data management package
to support a wide range of assays.
All those who missed this event can read
more about Tecan’s activities at
LabAutomation on http://www.tecanus.com/us-index/us-new/us-local-news.htm
The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, founded in 1880, is one of Japan’s oldest academies with
over 20,000 members engaged in pharmaceutical science as well as a wide range of life sciences.
This meeting included numerous Japanese and International keynote lectures, posters and oral
research presentations. It attracted roughly 10,000 visitors from Japan, Asia and all around the
world.
At our Tecan booth, solutions for inhibition, permeability, transporter, cell culture, cell
maintenance and other drug discovery related applications were presented on posters
and videos.
This year, Tecan focused on its ADMET solutions and exhibited the first ever automated Liquid
phase - Liquid phase Extract (LLE) solution consisting of a Genesis Freedom workstation,
specially designed tube racks and a Vortex mixer. This system is the first to use a pipetting
robot to extract compounds (metabolites) from samples, such as plasma, excrement or organs.
Preliminary tests indicated that this system can achieve significantly higher yields than the
classic method of solid phase extraction, thereby contributing to the efficiency and accuracy
of the drug testing process.
Nagasaki is located on the Northwestern part of the Japanese island of Kyushu and is well
known in Japanese history for being a key entry point for foreign visitors when Japan closed its
borders for 200 years. Now it is a scenic, busy port city and is also the second city in the world
to have experienced an atomic bomb blast.
Tecan Journal 1/2003 15
www.tecan.com

Genomics • Proteomics • Drug Discovery • Clinical Diagnostics
Better prepared for
what’s put on your plate
The new Genios Pro incorporates six detection technologies* with liquid handling into a single
compact unit that’s totally designed to meet all of your assay needs. Superior multi-detection
capability enables accurate, sensitive reading of a wide range of assays. Genios Pro’s integrated
injectors allow simultaneous dispensing and reading for performing sophisticated, rapid kinetic assays.
And, as you’d expect from Tecan, those extra touches – precision engineering, automation ready,
outstanding price:performance, superior reliability – come as standard.
* Absorbance, fluorescence polarization, fluorescence intensity, time resolved fluorescence, and flash and glow luminescence
For more information please visit www.tecan.com/geniospro or call your nearest Tecan office
Austria +43 62 46 89 33 Belgium +32 15 42 13 19 France +33 1 30 68 81 50 Germany +49 79 51 94 170 Italy +39 02 215 21 28
Japan +81 42 334 88 55 Netherlands +31 18 34 48 17 4 Portugal +351 21 000 82 16 Singapore +65 644 41 886 Spain + 34 93 490 01 74
Sweden +46 31 75 44 000 Switzerland +41 1 922 89 22 UK +44 118 9300 300 USA +1 919 361 5200 Other +43 62 46 89 33