{"id":1037,"date":"2026-02-25T22:20:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T22:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/?page_id=1037"},"modified":"2026-03-09T09:31:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T09:31:03","slug":"equipment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/equipment\/","title":{"rendered":"Equipment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"vf-grid | vf-grid__col-3\"><div class=\"vf-grid__col--span-2\"><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<div class=\"vf-tabs\"><ul class=\"vf-tabs__list\" data-vf-js-tabs=\"true\"><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-cultivation-isolation-liquid-handling\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Cultivation, isolation, liquid handling<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-high-throughput-phenotyping\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">High-throughput phenotyping<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-miscellaneous\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Miscellaneous<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vf-tabs-content\" data-vf-js-tabs-content=\"true\">\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-cultivation-isolation-liquid-handling\"><h2 class=\"vf-u-sr-only\">Cultivation, isolation, liquid handling<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Controlled environments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We operate one DWS M155 and 3&nbsp;COY chambers, which allow for precise atmospheric control&nbsp;for the cultivation and manipulation of anaerobes and microaerophilic microorganisms. Each chamber is equipped with a variety of robots, incubators, plate readers\/stackers to enable a wide range of applications, including high-throughput microbial\/microbiome culturing, genetics&nbsp;and phenotyping. The DWS chamber has a cooling system, and also allows facile introduction of additional equipment for tailored experiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also offer three Multitron&nbsp;shaking incubators (Infors HT), which can support both flask or plate incubation in temperature (4 \u2013 65\u00b0C), CO<sub>2<\/sub> (0 \u2013 20%) and humidity-controlled environments. One incubator can accommodate 72 microtiter plates or 24 2ml deep well plates and shakes with3 mm shaking throwto achieve high speeds (up to1,000 rpm) and appropriate aeration of microbial cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The facility has three&nbsp;incubators under controlled CO\u2082 atmospheres or humidity conditions. Our large PHCBI incubator can accommodate large numbers of agar-based plates \u2013 and allows for control of CO\u2082&nbsp;and humidity. Four other smaller incubators are&nbsp;used in different setting and enable the growth of a diversity of organisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liquid handling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biomek-i7-liquid-handler-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biomek-i7-liquid-handler-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biomek-i7-liquid-handler-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biomek-i7-liquid-handler-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biomek-i7-liquid-handler.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Biomek i7 liquid handler (Beckman Coulter)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A highly versatile and flexible liquid handling platform with 43 deck positions\u00a0(including add-on features \u2013 heating, cooling, shaking, tubes), which offers precision pipetting in multi-well plates with a 96-channel head, and an 8-channel head for individual transfers and cherry picking. We customize workflows to streamline and automate diverse applications such as assay plate set-up; sample distribution, dilution, pooling and arraying; and nucleic acid extractions and NGS library preparation.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/flex-prep-liquid-handler-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/flex-prep-liquid-handler-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/flex-prep-liquid-handler-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/flex-prep-liquid-handler-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/flex-prep-liquid-handler.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Flex Prep liquid handler (Opentrons)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A liquid handling platform that automates routine pipetting tasks, with a 96-channel head and two 8-channel heads. It is equipped with a gripper and two stackers that accommodate up to 48 flat bottom plates.\u00a0The HEPA\/UV Module allows handling of bacteriophages.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mantis-liquid-dispenser-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mantis-liquid-dispenser-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mantis-liquid-dispenser-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mantis-liquid-dispenser-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mantis-liquid-dispenser.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    MANTIS Liquid Dispenser (Formulatrix)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A compact, low-volume liquid handler designed for precision dispensing. It features a microfluidic chip system that delivers volumes from 100 nl to ml with high accuracy, compatible with media, DMSO, glycerol, and cell suspensions. The system accommodates well plates, tubes and custom plate templates\u00a0and automatically dispenses up to 6 reagents with a wide chemical compatibility. It is compatible with the environmental chambers.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/micropro-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/micropro-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/micropro-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/micropro-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/micropro.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    MicroPro\u00a020, 300, 1250 (Mettler Toledo)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">5 flexible and portable small pipetting systems with a 96 pipetting head allowing semi-automated transfers in 96 or 384 well plates.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Microbial isolation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rapidpick-lite-colony-picker-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rapidpick-lite-colony-picker-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rapidpick-lite-colony-picker-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rapidpick-lite-colony-picker-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rapidpick-lite-colony-picker.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    RapidPick Lite Colony Picker (Hudson)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">Integrated with a robotic arm and stackers, the colony pinner enables fast and informed picking (2500 colonies\/hr) from a variety of plates to target ones (agar or liquid).\u00a0The system is placed inside a COY\u00a0environmental chamber.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/single-cell-dispenser-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/single-cell-dispenser-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/single-cell-dispenser-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/single-cell-dispenser-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/single-cell-dispenser.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    B.SIGHT Single-Cell Dispenser (Cytena)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A benchtop instrument for dispensing single microbial cells of size 0.5-15 \u00b5m, based on size, roundness and fluorescence. It combines high resolution optical microscopy and real-time image analysis. Its small footprint makes it compatible with the environmental chambers.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-high-throughput-phenotyping\"><h2 class=\"vf-u-sr-only\">High-throughput phenotyping<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High-density pinning arrays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotor-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotor-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotor-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotor-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotor.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    ROTOR+ (Singer Instruments)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A pinning robot for transfers of\u00a0 high-density microbial arrays of a wide range of formats \u2013 96, 384, 1536 and 6144-colonies. It uses plating pads to transfer cells from and to agar or liquid plates (liquid transfers for 96\/384-well plates). Ideal for replicating, (re)arraying and for high-throughput screens (genetics or chemical genetics). A genome-wide mutant library of <em>E. coli<\/em> can fit on 3 plates of 1536-colony arrays and be rapidly screened in tens to hundreds of conditions.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/spImager-sa-Imager-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/spImager-sa-Imager-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/spImager-sa-Imager-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/spImager-sa-Imager-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/spImager-sa-Imager.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    spImager-SA Imager (S&amp;P Robotics)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A semi-automated system for capturing high-resolution images of colonies with epi and trans- illumination. It allows flexibility in camera settings, intensity and labware type.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary \">\n    <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Phenobooth+ Colony Counter (Singer Instruments)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A system for colony imaging and counting on solid media, capable for detecting GFP, YFP, BFP, mcherry. Its integrated software provides automated batch analysis, enabling colony filtering by size, circularity, color, and brightness. It\u2019s compatible with the DWS environmental chamber for imaging oxygen-sensitive microbes.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Integrated shaker-incubators &amp; plate readers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The facility houses a&nbsp;Cytomat 2C470-LiN incubator (Thermo Fisher) with two tower shakers for shallow well-plates in a temperature (4 \u2013 70\u00b0C), moisture&nbsp;and gas (O<sub>2<\/sub>, CO<sub>2<\/sub>, N<sub>2<\/sub>) controlled environment. It is integrated with a robotic arm to the multimode plate reader Agilent Synergy and four hotels for plate entrance and exit. The automation allows for recording of up to 60 multi-well plates (single time point) or 32 plates for kinetics (multiple time points).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The facility also features two incubators (build-in house) accommodating Biostak3 stackers linked to either a multimode plate reader (Agilent Synergy) or an Epoch microplate spectrophotometer. These are housed inside the 2 COY environmental chambers, and allow for time-resolved measurements of up to 30 multi-well plates per incubator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plate readers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The facility houses 6 plate readers, some as stand alone, others in integrated workflows or inside chambers to expand the utilities and microbes probed. Specifically we have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary \">\n    <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Biotek Synergy H1 (Agilent) \u2013 3 x\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">This multimode microplate reader combines monochromator- and filter-based optics for high-performance detection. It supports absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence assays in various plate formats (up to 384-well), includes temperature control (up to 45\u00b0C) and the Gen5 software for data acquisition and analysis. Currently these thee H1 plate readers exist: i) as a stand-alone instrument for individual plate measurements, ii) integrated in the Cytomat\u00a0&#8211; automation set-up for automated reads of multiple plates and time points, iii) available in Coy environmental chamber in conjunction with a BioStak3 for automated data acquisition of multiple plates and time points.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary \">\n    <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Biotek Epoch (Agilent)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A compact, monochromator-based microplate spectrophotometer designed for absorbance measurements.\u00a0It supports various read modes, including endpoint, kinetic, spectral scanning, and well area scanning, accommodating various plate formats (up to 384-well). The Epoch is housed inside a COY environmental chamber in conjunction with a BioStak3 for automated data acquisition of multiple plates and time points.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary \">\n    <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    PlateDirect A96 Plate reader (Mettler Toledo) X 2\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">Two plate readers are present in the facility and support reading of defined wavelengths.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>450nm \u2013 492nm \u2013 578nm \u2013 620nm<\/li>\n<li>405nm \u2013 578nm \u2013 600nm \u2013 650nm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Imaging flow analysis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/attune-cytpix-fllow-cytometer-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/attune-cytpix-fllow-cytometer-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/attune-cytpix-fllow-cytometer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/attune-cytpix-fllow-cytometer-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/attune-cytpix-fllow-cytometer.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Attune CytPix Flow Cytometer (Thermo Fisher)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">The system allows for detection of live small particles (0.5 \u00b5m \u2013 140 \u00b5m). It combines high-resolution bright-field imaging (20x) with acoustic focusing technology to ensure precise particle alignment and accurate data acquisition at a high-speed (up to 35,000 events \/ sec). Our instrument is equipped with a violet, blue, yellow and red laser and provides 14 fluorescence channels + FSC &amp; SSC. Complementing the CytPix, the CytKick Max Autosampler<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>automates high-throughput sample processing from 96- and 384-well plates, in an optional cooling manner.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HT microscopy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biotek-cytation-5-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biotek-cytation-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biotek-cytation-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biotek-cytation-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/biotek-cytation-5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Biotek\u00a0Cytation 5 (Agilent) cell imaging multimode reader\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">This is an integrated inverted cell imaging microscope and multimode microplate reader and can perform time-lapse live cell assays. The imaging capabilities include filter-based widefield fluorescence (currently available: DAPI, CFP, GFP, YFP, TexasRed, Cy5, chlorophyll), brightfield, and phase contrast imaging with 1.25-60x magnification and laser-autofocus. It can simultaneously monitor absorbance, fluorescence intensity, and luminescence. It accommodates different labware such as well plates, microscope and chamber slides, cell culture dishes and flasks and SBS agar\/ agarose plates. The Cytation 5 allows incubation from ambient temperature up to 65\u00b0C with condensation control, CO\u2082 and O\u2082 regulation, and various shaking modes. For sensitive assays run at room temperature, the Cooling Module maintains environmental stability within Cytation at &lt; 1 \u00b0C change.\u00a0The software supports automated data acquisition, imaging and data analysis, for e.g. cell counting, cell tracking etc.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<p>The facility houses an additional Cytation 5, which doesn\u2019t support multimode plate reader capabilities but it\u2019s smaller footprint makes it compatible with the DWS environmental chamber, enabling microscopy tasks of oxygen-sensitive microbes.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-miscellaneous\"><h2 class=\"vf-u-sr-only\">Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n<article class=\"vf-summary vf-summary--has-image\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/benchmark-beadblaster-96-homogenizer-300x200.jpg\" class=\"vf-summary__image\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 180px; height: auto; border: 1px solid #d0d0ce\" loading=\"lazy\" itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/benchmark-beadblaster-96-homogenizer-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/benchmark-beadblaster-96-homogenizer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/benchmark-beadblaster-96-homogenizer-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/benchmark-beadblaster-96-homogenizer.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>  <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Benchmark BeadBlaster\u2122 96 Homogenizer\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A high-throughput ball mill homogenizer processing up up to two 96-well plates, 20\u00d71.5mL tubes, 40\u00d71.5mL tubes, or 4\u00d750mL tubes simultaneously. It accommodates 0.1\u20135mm beads with adjustable oscillation (3\u201330Hz) for precise disruption of cells. The system is cold-room compatible (4\u00b0C), ideal for sensitive samples.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary \">\n    <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    BactoBox Impedance Flow Cytometer (SBT)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"vf-summary__text\">The BactoBox is a label-free analyzer for rapid bacterial counts. It uses impedance flow cytometry within a disposable microfluidic chip to measure cell viability, concentration, and size distribution (0.5\u20135 \u00b5m) in real time from sample volumes of 20 \u00b5L to 1 mL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vf-summary__text\">It\u2019s compatible with the environmental chambers<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary \">\n    <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Electroporator (Biorad)\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">The Gene Pulser Xcell Total system (Biorad) is a complete electroporation system for transfection of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vf-summary__text\"><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-summary \">\n    <h3 class=\"vf-summary__title\">\n    \n    Qubit Flex Fluorometer\n    <\/h3>\n\n  <p class=\"vf-summary__text\">A benchtop microvolume fluorometer for quantifying DNA, RNA and protein in tube strips of 8 samples.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vf-summary__text\"><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><!--[vf\/content]-->\n<div class=\"vf-content\">\n\n<article class=\"vf-card vf-card--brand vf-card--striped vf-u-margin__bottom--800\" default>\n  <div class=\"vf-card__content | vf-stack vf-stack--400\">\n      <h3 class=\"vf-card__heading\">\n              <a class=\"vf-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/ppms.embl.de\/start\/\">\n      PPMS online booking       <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"vf-card__heading__icon | vf-icon vf-icon-arrow--inline-end\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"M0 12c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12s12-5.373 12-12S18.627 0 12 0C5.376.008.008 5.376 0 12zm13.707-5.209l4.5 4.5a1 1 0 010 1.414l-4.5 4.5a1 1 0 01-1.414-1.414l2.366-2.367a.25.25 0 00-.177-.424H6a1 1 0 010-2h8.482a.25.25 0 00.177-.427l-2.366-2.368a1 1 0 011.414-1.414z\" fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"nonzero\"><\/path>\n       <\/svg>\n        <\/a>\n          <\/h3>\n            <p class=\"vf-card__subheading\">Access for internal users only<\/p>\n            <p class=\"vf-card__text\">Find out how to book MACCF equipment and services.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n\n<article class=\"vf-card vf-card--brand vf-card--bordered vf-u-margin__bottom--800\" default>\n  <div class=\"vf-card__content | vf-stack vf-stack--400\">\n      <h3 class=\"vf-card__heading\">\n      Service fees    <\/h3>\n                <p class=\"vf-card__text\"><p>We charge an\u00a0<strong>hourly\u00a0usage fee<\/strong>\u00a0as a contribution to our maintenance and consumables costs.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"vf-card_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/service-fees\/\">For external users<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"vf-card_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/internal-information\/scientific-services-fees\/#microbial-automation-culturomics\">For internal users<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/p>\n      <\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-title-left-aligned.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"embl_taxonomy":[],"class_list":["post-1037","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"embl_taxonomy_terms":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1037"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1405,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1037\/revisions\/1405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"embl_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/microbial-automation-culturomics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/embl_taxonomy?post=1037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}