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    Automated high performance pipetting, for every lab

    The apricot S3 offers automated high performance 96 and 384 channel pipetting, equally suited to low or high-throughput use. The instrument’s interchangeable pipetting cores allow researchers to simply select the volume range depending on the application, without a need for any tools. The intuitive interface through a Microsoft® Surface Pro Tablet, and EZ-Load tip technology combined with fully automated X, Y and Z drives, create exceptionally straightforward and user-friendly automated pipetting.

    Exceptional versatility
    Exceptional versatility

    The automated split level plate elevators for plate sampling enable researchers to simply raise or lower plate/reservoir to a programmable height. An interchangeable pipetting core provides flexibility to choose from a 96 or 384 core to determine the configuration most suitable for a given application. The easy to program serial dilution protocols enable access to every column in a 24, 96, & 384 well plate or reservoirs with multiple sections.

    Intuitive, user friendly interface
    Intuitive, user friendly interface

    The instrument is easily and intuitively controlled through a simple touchscreen interface and requires minimal operator training. The WiFi enabled tablet delivers additional flexibility and allows for operation outside the fume hood.

    Small footprint maximizes available space
    Small footprint maximizes available space

    The compact design conserves precious bench space and fits easily into suitably-sized hoods.

    Simple loading and unloading of tips
    Simple loading and unloading of tips

    The S3 uses Apricot’s unique EZ-Load disposable tips for simple, no-pressure loading without a requirement for any tools.

    Seamless integration
    Seamless integration

    The S3 benefits from a readily available API to support integration with other laboratory equipment including microplate stackers, robotic arms, and automation work cells.

    Plate copy is one of the most laborious manual pipetting tasks in any laboratory.

    The apricot S3 provides the fast and reliable pipetting with 96/384 channels simultaneously, to alleviate bottlenecks and improve data quality compared to handheld pipetting solutions.

    Applications: 

    • Biochemical assays
    • Cell-based assays (including media exchange)
    • NGS protocols
    • Compound Management
     

     

    Serial dilutions are laborious because the large number of transfer and mixing steps.

    The technique is also very sensitive to cumulative error build up, which can be minimized through careful standardization of the liquid handling steps in the serial dilution software function.

    Automation helps users achieve highly accurate and repeatable serial dilutions columns wise pipetting using strip tips is compatible with the same instrument core as used for full plate transfers (additional heads or balancing inserts are required).

    Applications:

    • ELISA assays
    • Compound serial dilution
    • Antibody screening
    • Assay Optimization

     

    Single-column pipetting is suitable for rapid reagent distribution across plates for standardized and repeatable assays.

    Strip tips minimize the number of pipette tips needed.

    The tips are compatible with the same instrument and core as used for full-plate transfers (additional heads or balancing inserts are required).

    The tips are also compatible with a wide range of reagents reservoirs and source plates to suit a broad range of application needs.

    Applications:

    • Biochemical assays
    • Cell-based assays
    • NGS protocols

     

    Reformatting between 96 and 384-well plates is an easy way of increasing throughput and saving valuable reagents, but it's error-prone with manual pipettes as users have to pipette into the correct quadrant of a high-density plate.

    The apricot S3 features a fully automated y-movement on the deck for perfect reformatting between 96 and 384-well plates.

    Applications:

    • Sample management
    • Biochemical assays
    • Cell-based assays
    • NGS protocols

     

    Mixing using 96 or 384 heads is ideal for combining samples and reagents in time-sensitive assays or gently resuspend cells prior to plating.

    All samples are processed simultaneously and equivalently (using the same well depth, piston speed, and number of mix cycles) for a homogenous assay setup and reliable data.

    Applications:

    • Biochemical assays
    • Cell-based assays
    • NGS protocols

     

    SBS 24/96/384-well plates

    Deep well blocks

    96/384 PCR plates

    Racked tubes (24/96 well plate footprint)

    Applications:

    • Biochemical assays
    • Cell based assays
    • NGS, including PCR/qPCR
    • Compound management
    Reagent Parylene coated channel
    HCl, 10% Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
    H2SO4, 10%   Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
    HF, 10%  Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
    NH4OH Fully compatible
    MeOH  Fully compatible
    Ethanol, 75%  Fully compatible
    AcN  Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
    THF  Incompatible
    MTBE  Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
    n-hexane  Fully compatible

     

    User friendly software. Easy to do quick setup but also offers many different functions and options for more extensive assays. Reproducibility was very good in a time-saving manner. Instrument allows for mid to high throughput assays.

    Ian Hammond-Martel

    Paraza Pharma

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    "5/5 for easy to import, create or edit workflows/protocols. Our apricot works really well for NGS protocols. 5/5 for easy to calibrate and re-initialize. 5/5 for great after sales-care & customer services."

    Stella Huang | R&D Scientist

    seqWell

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    "Amazing to see [the apricot] unboxed and contributing to more efficient NGS workflows on the same day! We’re all about that kind of turnaround…"

    Sequencing Technologies Director

    Day Zero Diagnostics

    PhenoVista Biosciences
    "The apricot is a very efficient tool for us. We work with high-throughput 384-well low-volume plates that don't leave a lot of room for error when handling. Using the apricot for media changes and other aspects of cell culture cut down our wet lab time tremendously and make our treatments much more consistent than they would be by hand. The apricot is our most heavily used piece of equipment in our lab."

    Jake Buford | Assistant Lab Manager

    PhenoVista Biosciences

    Pandemic Response Lab
    "In the start of the pandemic PP5+1 saved the day! It is easy to create reproduce-able results. I created Covid extraction protocols with this instrument “6 PP5+1” paralleling the process allowing lab staff to easily run RNA extractions and get the same results every time. With the open platform it makes it intuitive to control the throughput. It can handle higher throughput or partial allowing us to keep one instrument for all our needs." 

    Samuel Gonzalez | Field Engineer

    Pandemic Response Lab

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    The Apricot S3 delivered high level of precision and accuracy in pipetting when we had it for the demo, the %CV was around 1.5%. It's nice to have a instrument that can pipet 0.5 uL to 125 uL in one pipet tray, which greatly facilitates our workflow. It is very easy to use and methods are easily written.

    Zachary Nguyen | Principal Scientist

    Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research

      apricot Liquid Handler Citations

      Technical Specification

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      Dispensing precision (96-1000) <3% CV at 10µL
      (96-500) <3% CV at 5µL
      (96/384-125) <3% CV at 1µL      		 Dispensing accuracy (96-1000) +/–2% error at 10µL
      (96-500) +/–2% error at 5µL
      (96/384-125) +/– 2% error at 1µL
      Volume (96) 500µL, 1000µL
      (96/384) 125µL
      (96-1000) 5-1000µL
      (96-500) 1-500µL
      (96-125) 0.5-125µL
      (384-125) 0.5-125µL      		 Resolution (96-500/1000) 1µL
      (96/384-125) 0.1µL
      Power 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Operating temperature 50–100°F
      10–37.8˚C
      Dimensions (W x D x H) 457mm x 406mm x 584mm
      18” x 16” x 23”      		 Weight Approx. 27kg / 60lbs

      Product brochure

      This two-page product brochure provides an overview of the apricot S3 in one easy-to-read document.

      It includes technical specifications, key features and benefits, key applications, and an overview of  'ez-load' tip technology.

      Click the button below to download the brochure.

      Download the product brochure

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      apricot tips and consumables

      Our apricot S3 pipette tips and consumables are designed to work in perfect combination with the apricot automated S3 pipettors. Manufactured exclusively by SPT Labtech for our apricot instruments, the apricot EZ-load and AL tips deliver optimal liquid handling precision and accuracy.

      Explore apricot S3 tips and consumables