Streamlining the Study of Protein-DNA Interactions in Severe Diseases

Researchers at the University of Ostrava, Czech Republic, are using a 12 channel 50 μl VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette and ECO Rack GripTip pipette tips from Integra Biosciences to study the role of protein-DNA interactions in the progression of severe diseases, such as cancers and neurodegeneration. These tools have enabled the team to cut pipetting times by 75%, freeing up staff to perform other vital tasks and increasing the lab’s sample throughput.

A team within the Department of Biology uses the VOYAGER with GripTips to isolate DNA, RNA and proteins from recombinant bacteria and plants, sometimes processing more than 100 biological samples per day. The group then studies the noncanonical nucleic acids structures - such as four-stranded G-quadruplexes, left-handed Z-DNA, and cruciform DNA - and how these unusual conformations interact with proteins, providing valuable insights into the development of numerous serious conditions.

Dr Martin Bartas, a researcher in the department, explained: “We are using the 12 channel VOYAGER pipette to perform DNA and protein extractions, making it possible to carry out quick and easy transfers between 96 well qPCR or microtitration plates and 1.5 ml microtubes. We also use the pipette to rapidly fill qPCR plates with master mix preparations, streamlining the whole pipetting process.”

Transferring samples between different labware formats was previously very challenging for the team, but the VOYAGER pipette has allowed them to rapidly adjust tip spacings and pipette a single 96 well qPCR plate in less than 15 minutes, compared to nearly an hour with a single channel pipette. “We are now able to pipette significantly more qPCR plates per hour using the VOYAGER, because it saves so much time. On top of this, we are also seeing smaller deviations between technical replicates, giving us peace of mind and reassurance that our results are extremely accurate and reliable,” Martin concluded.

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