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. 2022:2433:121-134.
doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1998-8_7.

High-Throughput Experimentation Using Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Systems

Affiliations

High-Throughput Experimentation Using Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Systems

Conary Meyer et al. Methods Mol Biol. 2022.

Abstract

Cell-free protein synthesis can enable the combinatorial screening of many different components and concentrations. However, manual pipetting methods are unfit to handle many cell-free reactions. Here, we describe a microfluidic method that can generate hundreds of unique submicroliter scale reactions. The method is coupled with a high yield cell-free system that can be applied for broad protein screening assays.

Keywords: Automation; Cell-free protein synthesis; Droplet printing; High throughput; Low-volume liquid handling; Microfluidic adaptive printing; Protein screening.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Diagram of the complete printing platform. (a) The image of the full platform. (1) 12.5 V DC power supply, (2) Dobot robotic arm, (3) Precigenome pressure regulator, (4) Analytical balance, (5) Gripper holding a printer head, (6) Valve control circuit, (7) Arduino Uno microcontroller, (8) Well plate. (b) Close-up of the printer head positioned over the reagent tube during calibration. (c) Dobot gripper with the 3D printed gripper adapters holding a printer head. (d) Valve control circuit connected to an Arduino
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The Arduino circuit design. The circuit is used to regulate the valves that control the pressure flow
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Schematic depicting the printer head design. (a) The components of the printer head. (b) Key control parameters of the system. Tunable parameters: purple. Fixed parameters: red. Unknown parameters: black

References

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