SPT Labtech mosquito® LV Genomics Nanoliter Liquid Handling Workstation
| Brand | SPT Labtech |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | mosquito® LV Genomics |
| Plate Positions | 2 or 5 (supports 96-, 384-, and 1536-well formats) |
| Pipetting Range | 25 nL – 1.2 µL |
| Pipetting Accuracy | ±3% CV at 25 nL, ±1.5% CV at ≥100 nL |
| Throughput | 2 min/96-well plate, 3 min/384-well plate, 5 min/4×384-well stamp-out |
| Dimensions | 390 mm (W, with 5-plate deck: 790 mm) × 470 mm (D) × 690 mm (H) |
| Weight | 27 kg (59 lbs) |
| Optional Accessories | Active humidity chamber, spool cover, MoPP (mosquito Plate Processor) integration module |
Overview
The SPT Labtech mosquito® LV Genomics is a high-precision nanoliter liquid handling workstation engineered for reproducible, low-volume assay setup in genomics, single-cell biology, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows. It employs solid-phase displacement (SPD) pipetting technology — a contact-free, positive-displacement method that eliminates reliance on air displacement, surface tension, or liquid-specific calibration. Unlike conventional robotic liquid handlers, SPD ensures consistent aspiration and dispensing across viscous reagents (e.g., glycerol-containing enzymes, polymerase master mixes), high-salt buffers, and nucleic acid solutions without user-defined fluid parameter tuning. This enables robust transfer of volumes from 25 nL to 1.2 µL with sub-microliter precision — critical for scaling down reaction volumes while maintaining enzymatic efficiency and library complexity. The system is purpose-built for ultra-low-volume genomics applications where reagent cost, sample scarcity, and inter-run reproducibility are primary constraints.
Key Features
- Solid-phase displacement (SPD) technology delivering 25 nL minimum dispense volume with ≤3% CV at 25 nL and ≤1.5% CV at ≥100 nL — validated per ISO 8655-6 and ASTM E2758 standards.
- True walk-away automation for genomics workflows: supports cDNA synthesis, tagmentation, adapter ligation, PCR/qPCR setup, and pooling — all within a single platform.
- Modular deck architecture accommodating up to 5 standard microplates (96-, 384-, or 1536-well), including integrated plate stacking and optional MoPP (mosquito Plate Processor) for automated plate transport and barcode reading.
- Active humidity control chamber prevents evaporation during prolonged incubation steps — essential for sub-2 µL reactions requiring >30 min thermal cycling or enzymatic incubation.
- Compact footprint (390 × 470 × 690 mm, expandable to 790 mm depth with 5-plate deck) designed for benchtop integration in BSL-2 and cleanroom environments.
- Nozzle-free operation: disposable, low-retention tips eliminate carryover risk and reduce maintenance downtime; tip ejection is fully programmable per step.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The mosquito® LV Genomics handles diverse biological and chemical samples relevant to modern genomics labs, including fragmented DNA, full-length RNA, cDNA, enzyme master mixes (Taq, reverse transcriptases, Tn5), bead suspensions (AMPure XP), and low-concentration oligonucleotide libraries. Its SPD mechanism ensures compatibility with viscosity ranges from 0.8 cP (aqueous buffer) to >50 cP (e.g., 50% glycerol stock solutions). The system complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for calibration traceability and supports GLP/GMP-aligned workflow documentation when used with optional audit-trail-enabled software. All firmware and hardware design align with IEC 61000-6-2 (EMC immunity) and IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission) standards. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, the instrument can be deployed in regulated environments using validated SOPs and third-party electronic lab notebook (ELN) integrations supporting ALCOA+ data integrity principles.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via the intuitive mosquito Control Software (v5.x), the workstation supports drag-and-drop protocol building, multi-step script sequencing, and real-time monitoring of tip status, plate position, and dispense log. Protocols are exportable as XML files for version control and cross-lab reproducibility. Integration with LIMS platforms (e.g., LabVantage, STARLIMS) is achieved through RESTful API endpoints. For high-throughput core facilities, optional Protocol Manager enables centralized deployment of standardized workflows across multiple mosquito instruments. Raw dispense logs include timestamped event records (aspiration/dispense time, volume, source/destination coordinates), enabling retrospective analysis and root-cause investigation during assay troubleshooting. Data export supports CSV and JSON formats compatible with Python-based analytics pipelines (e.g., Scanpy, Seurat preprocessing).
Applications
- Single-cell RNA-seq library preparation: Validated for SMART-seq2 and CEL-seq2 protocols — enabling first-strand cDNA synthesis in ≤400 nL and full library construction in ≤2 µL total volume.
- Low-input NGS library prep: Compatible with Illumina TruSeq, NEBNext Ultra II, KAPA HyperPrep, and Vazyme VAHTS workflows — reducing input DNA requirements by up to 10× without sacrificing mapping rates or duplicate rates.
- qPCR/ddPCR assay miniaturization: Supports 2 µL reaction volumes for gene expression profiling, with demonstrated inter-run CV <2.5% across 96 replicates.
- Pooled normalization and indexing: Enables precise equimolar pooling of barcoded libraries prior to sequencing — critical for balanced multiplexing in scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics studies.
- CRISPR screening assay setup: Accurate dispensing of sgRNA libraries and Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes into 384- and 1536-well plates for functional genomics screens.
FAQ
What is solid-phase displacement (SPD) pipetting, and how does it differ from air displacement?
SPD uses a mechanically actuated piston sealed within a disposable tip to directly displace liquid — eliminating compressible air gaps, vapor pressure effects, and surface-tension dependencies inherent in air-displacement systems.
Can mosquito® LV Genomics handle viscous or volatile reagents?
Yes. SPD technology delivers consistent performance across viscosities up to 50 cP and volatile solvents (e.g., DMSO, ethanol) without calibration or priming steps.
Is the system compatible with third-party consumables?
It is validated for use with SPT Labtech’s proprietary low-retention tips; non-OEM tips are not supported due to dimensional tolerances critical to SPD accuracy.
How is calibration performed and maintained?
Factory-calibrated using gravimetric verification per ISO 8655-6; users perform routine performance checks using supplied calibration kits (25 nL–1.2 µL); no field recalibration required under normal operating conditions.
Does the system support remote monitoring or unattended overnight runs?
Yes — equipped with Ethernet connectivity, email alerting, and status reporting; protocols may be queued and executed autonomously with full error logging and pause/resume capability.
