Automated long-term storage and precision microdispensing system for precious biologic solutions

This article presents the development of an automated novel secure long-term storage and precision microdispensing (LSPMD) system especially for precious biologic solutions such as DNA and RNA. The Mechatronics LSPMD system is a table top stand-alone unit that can grab an LSPMD consumable from a storage rack, remove the cap, self calibrate using an optical meniscus sensor, and dispense precise microlevel volume of the solution with the help of impact if necessary. The LSPMD system was successfully tested for its accuracy; it was able to dispense 50 μl volume sample with a covariance (CV) of 0.84 and 5 μl volume sample with a CV of 2.7.