Analytik Jena CyBio FeliX High-Throughput Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction System

Overview

The Analytik Jena CyBio FeliX High-Throughput Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction System is a benchtop, fully integrated platform engineered for robust, reproducible isolation of genomic DNA, total RNA, and viral nucleic acids from diverse biological matrices. It operates on the principle of magnetic bead-based solid-phase extraction—leveraging surface-functionalized paramagnetic particles that selectively bind nucleic acids under controlled chaotropic salt and pH conditions. Following binding, beads are immobilized via an integrated magnetic field, enabling sequential washing with ethanol-based buffers and final elution in low-ionic-strength solutions (e.g., TE or nuclease-free water). This methodology ensures high recovery efficiency (>90% typical for whole blood and cultured cells), minimal shearing, and compatibility with downstream molecular applications including qPCR, NGS library preparation, and digital PCR.

Key Features

• High-precision liquid handling architecture: Built upon CyBio’s proprietary 25-year legacy in microfluidic dispensing, the system delivers sub-microliter accuracy across full volume ranges (1–1000 µL), minimizing pipetting variability and carryover risk.
• Flexible throughput configuration: Supports single-tube, 8-well strip, and 96-well plate formats without hardware modification—enabling seamless transition between low-volume validation runs and high-volume clinical or biobanking workflows.
• Integrated contamination mitigation: Equipped with internal UV-C irradiation (254 nm) for automated chamber decontamination between runs; front-access door remains fully sealed during operation to prevent ambient particulate ingress.
• Filter-tip compatibility: Uses certified 1 mL aerosol-barrier tips with hydrophobic filters, eliminating cross-contamination between samples and protecting internal pipette mechanisms from aerosol exposure.
• SmartExtraction ecosystem: Optimized for use with Analytik Jena’s SmartExtraction reagent kits—available in pre-filled (ready-to-use, lyophilized or liquid) and non-pre-filled configurations—reducing hands-on time and inter-operator variability.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CyBio FeliX processes raw inputs including whole blood (EDTA/K2EDTA), buffy coat, saliva, buccal swabs, stool suspensions, plant leaf homogenates, soil lysates, cultured mammalian cells (adherent and suspension), FFPE tissue digests, and viral transport media. All protocols adhere to ISO 15189 and CLIA-aligned workflow design principles. The system supports audit-ready operation under GLP and GMP environments: full electronic log generation, user-access-level permissions, and timestamped event tracking—including tip ejection, magnetic separation cycles, and UV activation status—are retained locally and exportable as CSV or PDF reports. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant out-of-the-box, the instrument’s software architecture permits integration with validated LIMS or ELN platforms meeting FDA regulatory requirements.

Software & Data Management

Controlled via CyBio Control Software v4.x (Windows OS), the interface provides intuitive protocol selection, real-time status visualization (including magnetic rack position, heater temperature, and aspiration/dispense progress), and customizable method editing. Each extraction run generates a comprehensive metadata file containing instrument ID, operator login, start/stop timestamps, error flags (if any), and consumables lot traceability. Raw data and logs are stored in encrypted SQLite databases with configurable auto-backup to network drives. Export options include ANSI-compliant .csv for QC analysis and XML-formatted method definitions compatible with enterprise laboratory informatics systems.

Applications

• High-volume diagnostic laboratories performing infectious disease testing (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV)
• Biobanks requiring standardized nucleic acid isolation from heterogeneous donor cohorts
• Academic core facilities supporting NGS library prep for transcriptomics and epigenomics studies
• Pharmaceutical QC labs validating extraction consistency across stability batches
• Field-deployable mobile testing units leveraging rapid SmartExtraction chemistry for point-of-need sample processing

FAQ

What types of nucleic acids can the CyBio FeliX isolate?
Genomic DNA, total RNA (including miRNA), and viral DNA/RNA from clinical, environmental, and research specimens.
Is method validation support available from Analytik Jena?
Yes—application notes, IQ/OQ documentation templates, and protocol transfer services are provided for ISO 13485 and CAP-accredited labs.
Can the system be integrated into robotic lab automation frameworks?
It features RS-232 and Ethernet interfaces with open-command syntax, enabling bidirectional communication with third-party LIMS and robotic arms via standard TCP/IP protocols.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Scheduled calibration of pipetting accuracy every 6 months (per ISO 8655), annual UV lamp output verification, and quarterly cleaning of magnetic racks and waste chutes using 70% ethanol.
Are reagents supplied by Analytik Jena CE-IVD marked?
Select SmartExtraction kits carry CE-IVD marking for in vitro diagnostic use in the European Economic Area; others are labeled RUO (Research Use Only) per regional regulatory classification.