A key aspect of this process is protein quantification, where the concentration of proteins in a sample is measured. Accurate protein quantification is critical for various applications, including enzyme kinetics, protein-protein interactions, and therapeutic drug development. Common methods include colorimetric assays (e.g., Bradford or BCA assays) and spectrophotometry.
Lunatic
UnchainedLabs
The Lunatic platform by Unchained Labs is a next-generation UV/Vis spectrophotometer designed for high-throughput quantification of proteins, DNA and RNA. It can measure up to 96 samples in just 10 minutes using down to 2 µL per sample, handling even high concentrations without the need for dilution.
Challenge(s)
The Customer's Brief
For accurate concentration measurements with Lunatic Instruments, the consumable must meet key criteria. It needs to be transparent down to ~230 nm for DNA concentration measurements, as typical polymers like PMMA or PS are only transparent above 270 nm or 290 nm. Minimal sample volume is essential to avoid waste, and a capillary filling system is required to prevent evaporation and securely store the sample immediately after pipetting. The cuvette must be precisely manufactured with polished surfaces to avoid optical distortions. Consistent channel height and surface tension are also critical to ensure reproducibility and prevent air bubbles.
OUR SOLUTION
In order to serve the above requirements, STRATEC Consumables realized high precision inserts as well as molding and bonding processes including required QC steps assuring, that the parts fulfill the customers specifications. Further the price targets were challenging and in order to meet those, STRATEC created a deep level of automation as well as multi-cavity tools for molding but also for bonding. Further the QC was automated inside the bonding line, reducing additional QC steps and to ensure a 100% check of all parts by a own programmed software.
ADVANTAGES
The Lunatic platform from Unchained Labs is known for several key advantages, particularly in the field of protein and nucleic acid quantification. Here are some of the main benefits:
High Throughput: The Lunatic platform can process a large number of samples quickly, making it ideal for labs with high sample volumes.
Small Sample Volume: It requires minimal sample volumes, which is especially beneficial when sample availability is limited.
Broad Concentration Range: Lunatic can accurately measure a wide range of concentrations, making it versatile for different types of analyses.
Automated Data Analysis: The software associated with the Lunatic platform offers robust data analysis tools, streamlining the process of interpreting results.
User-Friendly Interface: The platform features an intuitive user interface, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
Cost-Effective: By reducing the need for reagents and consumables, as well as minimizing sample waste, the Lunatic platform can be a cost-effective solution for many labs.
These advantages make the Lunatic platform a valuable tool for researchers and laboratories focused on biomolecular analysis.
STRATEC Competences
Involved Services
The development and manufacturing of the Unchained labs Lunatic chip involved key teams at STRATEC Consumables as follows:
High precision inserts and molding
The product requires highly polished surfaces and a precise molding in order to guarantee the readout by the system and having a reliable measurement.
Bonding
The bonding for the UnchainedLab product is fully automated and servers all different types of required microfluidic designs. A six cavity bonding guarantees low cycle times and therefore cost efficient production.
Quality Control Step
The QC step is fully automated and included in the bonding line to ensure smooth production and monitoring assuring, that the parts fulfill the customers specifications.
