TitleRobotic one 8 channel liquid handlerRobotic 96-channel Liquid HandlerRobotic one 8-channel and 96-channel Liquid Handler
Photo Picture Courtesy of the Michigan Department of Community Health
Picture Courtesy of the Michigan Department of Community Health
 Picture Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Public Health
Picture Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Public Health
 Picture Courtesy of New York State Department of Health - Wadsworth Center
Picture Courtesy of New York State Department of Health - Wadsworth Center
Mode Of OperationAspirates & dispenses or multi-dispenses between 1 and 8 channels at a time.Simultaneously aspirates & dispenses and multi-dispenses up to 96-channels at a time.Instrument has two dispensing mechanisms. One that aspirates & dispenses between 1- and 8-channels at a time. The other arm simultaneously aspirates & dispenses and multi-dispenses up to 96-channels at a time.
DNA ExtractionUsed when extracting one plate at a time.

Used when method includes 1 wash of DBS punches. Please note that this can be used when multiple washes are needed. However many NBS labs currently use a vacuum apparatus to remove wash buffer and leave punches in well, therefore increasing the amount of time a laboratorian must interact with the method. Please note that vacuum is a separate instrument, and is not attached to liquid handler.

Used for addition of elution solution.

Used when extracting 1 to 4 plates at a time.

Used when method includes 1 or more washes of DBS punches. NBS labs currently have methods that effectively remove the wash buffer and leave the DBS punches in the wells.

Used for addition of elution solution.

​Used when extracting 1 to 8 plates at a time.

Used with 96 head arm when method includes 1 or more washes of DBS punches. NBS labs currently have methods that effectively remove the wash buffer and leave the DBS punches in the wells.

Used with 1- to 8-channel head for addition of elution solution.

PCR Set-UpUsed for addition of PCR master mix.

Use for addition of DNA to PCR plate.		Used for addition of PCR master mix on instrument with the selective tip head.

Used for addition of PCR master mix on instruments that only have the ability to simultaneously aspirate 96-wells at a time, however this is often an expensive reagent and a large excess volume must be added to the instrument to fill the 96-well reservoirs.

Used for addition of DNA to either 96- or 384-well plate.

​Used with 1 to 8 head for addition of PCR master mix on instrument with the selective tip head.

Used with 96 head arm for addition of DNA to PCR plate.

On Card AssayUsed when method includes 1 wash of DBS punches. Please note that this can be used when multiple washes are needed, however many NBS labs currently use a vacuum apparatus to remove wash buffer and leave punches in well.

Used for addition of PCR master mix.		Used when setting up one 384-well plate at a time or 1 to 4 96-well plates.

Used when method includes 1 or more washes of DBS punches. NBS labs currently have methods that effectively remove the wash buffer and leave the DBS punches in the wells.

Used for addition of PCR master mix on instrument with the selective tip head. Used for addition of PCR master mix on instruments that only have the ability to simultaneously aspirate 96-wells time, however this is often an expensive reagent and a large excess volume must be added to the instrument to fill the 96-well reservoirs.

Used when setting up 1-2 384 plates at a time or 1-8 96-well plates

Used with 96 head when method includes 1 or more washes of DBS punches. NBS labs currently have methods that effectively remove the wash buffer and leave the DBS punches in the wells.

Used with 1- to 8-channel head for addition of PCR master mix.

Deck Size8 – 12 positions (holding reservoirs, plates, tips).8 – 15 positions (holding reservoirs, plates, tips).8-22 positions (holding reservoirs, plates, tips).
Plate TypeSome instruments can use the 8-channel pipet tool to dispense to 12-, 24-, 48-, 96- and 384-well plates. Other instruments use the 8-channel pipet tool to dispense to 96- 384-well plates and a single pipet tool to dispense to 12-, 24-, and 48-well plates.​Head cannot be adjusted. Fits a 96- and 384- well plate.​1- to 8-channel head can adjusted to 12-, 24-, 48-, 96- 384-well plates.

96 channel head cannot be adjusted. Fits a 96- and 384-well plate.
Dispensing MechanismN/AN/AN/A
Filling A 96384 Well Plate​Dispenses 1- to 8-wells at a time to fill 96- or 384-well plates. ​Head mechanism can be purchased that dispenses 96 wells at a time to fill 96- or 384-well plates.

Selective tip head mechanism can be purchased that dispenses between 1 and 96-wells at a time to fill a 96- or 384-well plate.		The two dispensing mechanisms (arms) can move at the same time, often allowing the instrument to complete a method faster.

Dispenses 8 wells a time or dispenses 1 to 96 wells at a time to fill a 96- or 384-well plate.
Selective Sample Picking (Cherry Picking)Used for selective sample picking.Used for selective sample picking.
Note​Some manufacturers provide the ability to use a subset of tips from the 96 head, referred to as “selective tip.” ​Some manufacturers provide the ability to use a subset of tips from the 96 head, referred to as “selective tip.”