|
Facilities
Automation Facility
Protein Expression
Facility
Protein Crystallography Core
Facility
Gene Expression Facility
|
Automation Facility

The Texas Institute for Drug and Diagnostics
Development is currently bringing on-line an High Throughput Automation
Facility. This facility has been established to foster drug discovery and
development through the fully automated compound synthesis and screening of
commercial chemical libraries as well as in-house compounds. As a part of the
Automation facility, the High Throughput Screening Facility (HTSF) is designed
to be highly flexible in order to meet the needs of multiple investigators
performing a variety of assays. In addition we aim to provide cost-effective and
time-efficient access to high throughput screening technology across the
UT-Campus as well as off-campus users. The facility staff assists assay
development and miniaturization, will train users to use some of the instruments
such as a microplate reader and liquid handling robot, and provide consultation
for data analysis.
IMPORTANT - REQUEST FROM THE FACILITY:
Users of the High throughput screening facility are urged to acknowledge any work performed by this Facility in their publications. Our service is a scientific support, not just a technical. Please send a copy of your publications to facility director, Eun Jeong Cho. We will compile the publications and may use as supporting material in the future for grant application such as Shared Instrumentation Grant application."
Screening Equipment

Perkin Elmer EnVision Microplate Reader
Application |
| General assay development utilizing various
detection technology such as absorbance (UV-Vis), fluorescence
intensity (FI), fluorescence polarization (FP), time- resolved
fluorescence (TRF) and luminescence (Lum). |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Specs |
- User-changeable label-specific optical mirror
modules and filters
- Superior detection sensitivity and high measurement
speed (less than one min for 1536well plate with one
flash/well)
- 1-1536 microplate readin1-1536 microplate reading
capability from bottom or top
- Endpoint, kinetic, spectrum and well-area scanning
read types
- Temperature controlled (4-45°C)
- Manual or automated serial plate reading via
integrated plate stacker holding 50 plates
Filters
|
|
|
|
Manual |
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
Perkin Elmer MicroBeta TriLux Microplate scintillation and luminescence counter*
 |
|
| Specific for radioactive assay utilizing liquid
scintillation or luminescence detection. |
|
Application |
|
|
- Samples in microplates, tubes or on filters
- Sample capacitites of up to 16 or 32 plates
- Updated model is fitted with an external loading platform for
fully automatic loading by robot systems
*Located in PHR4.220B
|
|
Specs |
|
|
|
Jasco J-815 CD Spectrometer
Description |
| This machine enables high-throughput circular
dichroism (CD) measurements from 96-microtube plates. CD spectra
are very useful for studying the secondary structure of
proteins, and their changes under different conditions. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Application |
| Specific assay development for optically active
biological molecules (type of sugar or amino acid) and secondary
structure of macromolecules to analyze for activity. |
|
|
|
Specs |
- Circular dichroism (CD) and UV-Vis absorbance (standard)
- Measurement from 163-900, 1100 nm optional
- Single position Petier thermoelectric temperature control
- Fluorescence accessory to measure fluorescence simultaneously
High throughput, temperature regulated automated sampling of up to
192 samples including thermal ramping and sample recovery
capabilities
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
Top
Liquid Handling Equipment

Perkin Elmer Janus Workstation
 |
|
| Laboratory automation workstation that performs
versatile liquid handling tasks. Main task will be plate
reformatting, large scale assay plating, and cherry picking. |
|
Application |
|
|
|
|
|
- Pipette tools consisted with 8tip varispan and
98/384 multi channel can transfer from 1 µ to 1 mL with
high precision
- Integrated stacker carousel can provide external
supply and storage of microplates (50plates), deepwell
plates, and P20 and P250 pipette tips
- Faster throughput achieved with multichannel tools
- Flexible with easy adaptation of any labwares or
tips
- Effective tracking of liquid levels is achieved with
patented sonic liquid-sensing technology which
accurately detects microliter volumes of both conductive
and non-ionic liquids
|
|
Specs |
|
|
|
Web Site |
Art Robbins Instruments Phoenix
Application |
| Laboratory automation workstation that performs
low volume (lower than 1uL) liquid handling tasks. Main task
will be library transferring and assay plate formation. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Specs |
- Simultaneous dispensing equipped with fixed 384
syringe head module and a single channel dispenser.
- Fast liquid transferring speed (< 1 min) with a
single channel head to 96 well plates.
- Transfer liquids from 384-microwell source plates to
384/1536-microwell destination plates with very high
accuracy from 100nL to 100uL.
- 9 deck position are available for plates and washing
stations.
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
BioTek Microflo Select
 |
|
| Self contained, user programmable dispenser
machine that dispenses a wide variety of liquids to micro-well
plates. |
|
Application |
|
|
|
|
|
- Contains a peristaltic pump with eight individual
tubes which transfer liquids from a supply bottle to
various micro-well plates.
- Able to dispense volumes from 1 to 9999ul using one
of 3 cassettes.
- Cassette sizes are 1ul, 5ul, and 10ul.
- Plate stackers are able to hold up to 30 plates each
(input and output).
- Standard carrier is able to accommodate 6-, 12-,
48-, 96-, 384-, and 1536-well plates that comply with
SBS microplate standards 4-2004.
- Able to dispense a variety of solutions including
buffered saline and reagent solutions.
- Can store up to 99 dispense protocols.
|
|
Specs |
|
|
|
Web Site |
Top
Synthesis Equipment

CEM Explorer 48 Automated Microrave Synthesizer
Description |
| Many reactions which require forcing conditions
(high temperatures and reaction times) can benefit greatly from
microwave irradiation. The Explorer 48 is easily programmed to
automatically run up to 48 reactions in sequence, using 4- 10-
or 35- mL reaction vials. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
CEM Liberty Automated Microwave
Peptide Synthesizer
 |
|
| The Liberty is an automated solid-phase peptide
synthesizer which uses microwave irradiation to minimize
reaction times and often give improved yields and purity over
standard conditions. The system is capable of making up to 12
peptides a day at scales up to 5 mmol. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
Mettler-Toledo MiniBlock
Peptide Synthesizer
Description |
| The MiniBlocks system is used for convenient
parallel synthesis—up to 48 reactions at once in small test
tubes (smallest size 4.5 mL). The reactions can be sealed under
an inert atmosphere and heated or cooled under a large range of
temperatures, either on a standard stir plate (with MiniBlock
XT) or on a rotary shaker. Solid-phase synthesis is especially
convenient with the MiniBlocks, as reaction solutions can be
drained and filtered out the bottom of each reaction
concurrently. Parallel work-up (purification) with e.g.
solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges is also supported. The
MiniBlock platform is great for the synthesis of chemical
libraries, but it is also useful for reaction optimization,
especially when used with the MiniMapper liquid handling robot. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
Mettler-Toledo MiniMapper
liquid handler
 |
|
| This liquid-handling
robot can be easily programmed to add numerous solvents and
reagent solutions to reaction vessels or microtiter plates. It
can handle small quantities of corrosive reagents under an inert
atmosphere. It is optimized for convenient use with the
MiniBlock platform. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
Teledyne-Isco Companion 4x
automated flash chromatography*
Description |
This robot is set-up to purify up to 4
reactions in sequence, using normal-phase flash chromatography
(typically with silica gel columns). It features a touch screen
for rapid programming of conditions, dual pumps for forming
solvent gradients, a dual wavelength UV detector, and automated
fraction collector. It can purify crude reactions from milligram
to multigram scale.
*Not located in the same room. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
Shimadzu analytical and
preparative HPLC systems
 |
|
| Two
custom designed Shimadzu HPLC systems for high throughput
analytical and preparative work. Both systems have cooled
autosamplers with adjustable configuration for either two
96-well plates, or up to 70 standard HPLC vials, automated
eight-solvent and six-column switching and PDA detectors. Both
systems are also enabled with dual rack 3.5 ml x 70 tube
fraction collection racks. The preparative system pumps can
deliver up to 20 ml/minute and the preparative collection system
can also be modified for large volume fraction collection. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genevac DD-4 centrifugal
evaporator
Description |
| Conveniently removes both low- and high-boiling
solvents (including DMSO) from test-tubes (e.g. generated by
MiniBlock or prep. HPLC purifications) and microtiter plates. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thermo-Electron/Finnigan
LTQ XL LC-MS*
 |
|
| *Not located in the
same room. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
Web Site |
Top
Other Equipment

Thermo Scientific ALSP 3000 Plate Sealer
Application |
| Securely seal various plate types, which
contain either chemical libraries dissolved in 100% DMSO
solution or assay reagents for high throughput screening. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Specs |
- Uses five (5) standard and two (2) custom seals
including clear sealing for both polystyrene and
polypropylene plates.
- The range of sealing plate height is 8 -46mm.
- Operating temperature range is 15-40°C
- Cycle time is between 6 to 12 seconds (per plate) depending on
plate types, sealing time can be adjustable from 0.5s – 5s.
- Sealing temperature can be controlled within the range of
ambient to 200°C.
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
Zebra Z4M Plus Bar Code Printer
 |
|
| Preparing bar coded lables for all screening
processes. |
|
Application |
|
|
|
|
- Print Methods: Thermal Transfer.
- Auto-calibration.
- Resolution: 203dpi.
- Print Speed: 10" (254 mm) per Second.
- Print length up to 157" (3,988 mm).
|
|
Specs |
|
|
|
Web Site |
Eppendorf Centrifuge 5810R with Swing-bucket Rotor
Application |
| Sample re-hydration and spin down. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Specs |
- Variable Speeds to 14,000 rpm.
- Variable Time from 1-99 minutes.
- Temperature Contraol from -4 - 40° C.
- Print Speed: 10" (254 mm) per Second.
- Capability: 18 x 1.5 and 2.0 ml Tubes, 16
Microplates, 2 Culture Plates, 4 Deepwell Plates, or 2
Deepwell Assemblies (filter and catch-plate stacks)
|
|
|
|
Web Site |
|
|
VWR Signature Incubating Microplate Shaker
 |
|
| Can be used for defrosting and mixing. |
|
Application |
|
|
|
|
- Can shake up to four microplates or two microtube
racks with adjustable temperature
- Speed range: 100 - 200 rpm
- Temperature range: 5°
C above ambient temperature to 65° C
- Timer: 1 second - 160
hours
|
|
Specs |
|
|
|
Web Site |
Top
Data Analysis

TI-3D currently uses Collaborative Drug Discovery
(CDD) for their Data Analysis needs. CDD's secure web-based database system
allows researchers to archive, mine, and collaborate with both other researchers
in the lab and internationally. The application's many features include
compatibility with Excel, making it easy to store and download data to a public
format; and the ability to restrict data or make it public, allowing researchers
to both secure their data and share it with others.
CDD's Website
CDD
Application Tutorial
Batch
Upload File for Tutorial
Top
Services and Fee
Structure

■
NOTE: Fee schedule is now
active, starting from April 1, 2009.
■ Fee Schedule is applied to on-campus users.
■ Off-campus users
should contact the TI3D-HTSF Staff.
■ Pricing is highly
dependent on the number of steps involved, the degree of
multiplication, the length of preparation, and a number
of other factors. Please contact TI3D-HTSF for project-specific
pricing.
|
Service Type |
Description |
Unit Fee($) |
Unit |
Consumables |
|
Assay development |
assay optimization, validation |
ask for quote |
project |
charge at cost |
|
Pilot screen (1) |
NCI, 2plates |
265 |
project |
charge at cost |
|
Spectrum Collection, 6.25plates |
900 |
project |
charge at cost |
|
Primary screen |
Fragment, 13plates |
1,085 |
project |
charge at cost |
|
Full library, 47plates |
3,000 |
project |
charge at cost |
|
Full library, 94plates |
6,000 |
project |
charge at cost |
|
Labor |
consultation, laboratory assistant |
40 |
h |
|
|
Data analysis |
Preliminary data analysis |
40 |
h |
|
(1) ≤2 step, 1day, additional step or day will
increase the unit fee
Library use limitation: 1-2uL per project
Final service fee = (unite fee x unit applied) + consumables (plastic labwares +
reagent)
|
Instrument Usage |
Unit Fee ($) |
Unit |
|
Envision (plate reader) |
30 |
h |
|
Jasco-815 (CD Spectrometer) |
15 |
h |
|
Microbeta (scintillation counter) |
10 |
h |
|
Janus (liquid handling workstation) |
50 |
h |
|
Biotek (liquid dispenser) |
10 |
h |
|
Phoenix (liquid handler) |
50 |
h |
(2) 1-2 people can be trained at the same time without
extra charge
■ Fess are based on labor utilization, equipment
expenses, administrative, and supply costs.
■ Rates are subject to
change based on increases or decreases in those cost.
■ Labor is rounded to
the nearest 1/2 hour.
■ Instruments will be
charged based upon the time scheduled for each instrument.
Top
Chemical
Library

Top
Location

Mailing Address
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712
Mail Code: A5300
Physical Location
The University of Texas at Austin
Robert A. Welch Hall
Room 3.316
Map
Top
Contact

Office
Dr. Eun Jeong Cho
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712
Mail Code: A5300
Phone: (512) 471-5507
Lab
Phone: (512) 471-5485
Top
|