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The AutoComet™ is an automatic comet assay system designed and built by TriTek Corp. This high-throughput system is optimized for unattended collection and snapshot analysis of Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE) data. The system steps to each sample area, locates single cells, measures each cell, and records the results automatically. Patent-pending LightTight™ hardware design coupled with a high-sensitivity digital camera extends comet emission lifetime while auto-segmentation and auto-scoring algorithms increase statistical reliability of the assay. The AutoComet™ improves statistical confidence over manual systems by reducing fluorophore fading, doubling camera resolution, acquiring larger sample sizes in less time, and objectively determining head position. Well statistics are computed automatically, yielding a comprehensive picture of the experiment that includes means and standard deviations in an at-a-glance format.

The workstation consists of a state-of-the-art microscope, precision motorized stage, motorized sub-micron resolution focus, cold-light epifluorescence illumination system, high-sensitivity digital video imaging system and a current generation personal computer with TriTek-developed hardware interface, image processing algorithms, and database software. The robotic microscope is contained within a 15" wide x 17" deep x 15" high enclosure with a darkened interior to preserve the intensity of the fluorescing cells. The system employs a minimized intensity illumination source coupled with an optimized lens solution to maximize the time a cell can be observed without a loss in detail due to light-induced fluorescence quenching. Increased camera sensitivity provides the capability to maximize the acquisition of fluorescence from a cell to improve confidence in the metrics. To preserve fluorophore performance, illumination is removed automatically when cells are not being imaged.

Key Features High-resolution, high-sensitivity digital camera that improves metrics with twice the resolution of typical analog cameras   Multi-user database that holds project and experiment informatics as well as comet metrics   Unattended high-throughput data acquisition with auto-segmentation and auto-scoring (~3000 comets/hr)   Experiment overview showing mean and standard deviation of each well   Barcode printing and tracking for hotel inventory and database   Full compatibility with Trevigen® products   Distribution histogram for analysis   Increased statistical reliability due to high-throughput acquisition   ColorMetric™ scoring that displays comets as 1, 2, 3 standard deviations from the mean   Statistical analysis coupled with industry-accepted equations   Auto-segmentation and auto-scoring of comets   Patent-pending Light-Tight™ design that allows user to work in any room lighting   Browser-based data analysis for multi-user cross-platform usability   Data export to spreadsheet format

Technical Specs Light-Tight™ Optical Microscope 10x Olympus® brightfield objective Field of View : 0.56mm x 0.47mm Robotic stage and focus 4 slide stage capacity Proprietary USB electronics Cold Light Illumination 150 Watt Tungsten-Halogen bulb 3200K color temperature Fiber-optic light guide Remote control dimmer Epifluorescence excitation/emission filter set SYBR Green, YOYO-1 Propidium Iodide, Ethidium Bromide (additional filters available upon request) Imaging System 1.4 MegaPixel digital monochrome camera Gen III Ultra Blue intensifier Personal Computer & Monitor Cube PC with MS Windows XP Pro (8"Width x 8"Height x 12"Depth) 20" LCD Color Monitor Barcode Label Reader CDHR Class II/IEC Class 2 compliant scan engine Code 39 printing included Optional Additions 20 slide cassette loader Robotic filter changer (up to 3 filter sets, standard)