Roche Diagnostics collaborates with Caliper for integrated product

Roche Diagnostics has announced the launch of a joint product with Caliper Life Sciences. The product combines the Twister II Microplate Handler from Caliper with Roche’s LightCycler 480 Real-Time PCR system.

This joint product aims to provide a high-throughput screening solution for laboratories with an enhanced automation facility and walk-away time. The product will be co-marketed and promoted by both firms.

Automation software from Caliper – iLink Pro – enables the integration through the provision of a built in adapter facilitating the attachment of a number of LightCycler 480 systems to the Twister II.

In integrating these products, the throughput screening capability for detecting nucleic acids and genotyping is doubled by the system with the need for manual reloading reduced.

Manfred Baier, head of applied science at Roche Diagnostics, said: “We continuously strive to provide our customers with proven technology that simplifies processes within the lab without compromising accuracy and precision.”

He added that the Twister II is the industry standard device for plate and tip loading, making it a suitable product for the company’s integrated solution.

Last week, Roche Diagnostics announced the commercial release of a software package for the modular analytics SWA analyse used in clinical chemistry and in immunoassay testing.