Chromosome Spreader

The IDEX-P8-64 Chromosome Spreader is a fully automated instrument designed specifically for the preparation of slides with spreads of interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes from 1-64 blood or bone marrow cell cultures.  Sample tubes and slides are barcode labelled and scanned for identification and correct matching. 

Innovative methods are used to first humidify each slide and then pre-wet it with Fixative Solution before actually dropping the fixed cell suspension onto the slide.  Temperature and humidity are controlled to ensure that the spreading process can be repeated and becomes operator-independent.  Automation of these steps leads to unmatched quality, higher reproducibility and higher throughput compared to standard manual methods.

Fixed cell suspensions for the spreading step can be obtained with an IDEX-P7M Chromosome Harvester.  Glass slides with the spreads can subsequently be processed for FISH or stained with an IDEX-P9M Chromosome Stainer for G-banding. 

• Fully automated stand-alone system to spread nuclei and metaphase chromosomes onto glass slides
• Easy and highly reproducible “load and go” operation
• Wet or dry slide option
• Pre-drop humidification and fixative dropping function
• High throughput.  Starting with 64 sample tubes 64 slides can be prepared in 60 minutes; 128 slides in 90 minutes
• Easy control of the system with a touch-screen interface and 6 pre-defined programs
• Individual program steps can be entered as needed