apricot S3

Flexible, automated, high performance liquid handling for a range of applications.

Automated high performance pipetting, for every lab

The apricot S3 offers automated high performance 96 and 384 channel pipetting, equally suited to low or high-throughput use. The instrument’s interchangeable pipetting cores allow researchers to simply select the volume range depending on the application, without a need for any tools. The intuitive interface through a Microsoft^® Surface Pro Tablet, and EZ-Load tip technology combined with fully automated X, Y and Z drives, create exceptionally straightforward and user-friendly automated pipetting.

Exceptional versatility

The automated split level plate elevators for plate sampling enable researchers to simply raise or lower plate/reservoir to a programmable height. An interchangeable pipetting core provides flexibility to choose from a 96 or 384 core to determine the configuration most suitable for a given application. The easy to program serial dilution protocols enable access to every column in a 24, 96, & 384 well plate or reservoirs with multiple sections.

Intuitive, user friendly interface

The instrument is easily and intuitively controlled through a simple touchscreen interface and requires minimal operator training. The WiFi enabled tablet delivers additional flexibility and allows for operation outside the fume hood.

Small footprint maximizes available space

The compact design conserves precious bench space and fits easily into suitably-sized hoods.

Simple loading and unloading of tips

The S3 uses Apricot’s unique EZ-Load disposable tips for simple, no-pressure loading without a requirement for any tools.

Seamless integration

The S3 benefits from a readily available API to support integration with other laboratory equipment including microplate stackers, robotic arms, and automation work cells.

Plate copy is one of the most laborious manual pipetting tasks in any laboratory.

The apricot S3 provides the fast and reliable pipetting with 96/384 channels simultaneously, to alleviate bottlenecks and improve data quality compared to handheld pipetting solutions.

Applications:

Biochemical assays
Cell-based assays (including media exchange)
NGS protocols
Compound Management

Serial dilutions are laborious because the large number of transfer and mixing steps.

The technique is also very sensitive to cumulative error build up, which can be minimized through careful standardization of the liquid handling steps in the serial dilution software function.

Automation helps users achieve highly accurate and repeatable serial dilutions columns wise pipetting using strip tips is compatible with the same instrument core as used for full plate transfers (additional heads or balancing inserts are required).

Applications:

ELISA assays
Compound serial dilution
Antibody screening
Assay Optimization

Single-column pipetting is suitable for rapid reagent distribution across plates for standardized and repeatable assays.

Strip tips minimize the number of pipette tips needed.

The tips are compatible with the same instrument and core as used for full-plate transfers (additional heads or balancing inserts are required).

The tips are also compatible with a wide range of reagents reservoirs and source plates to suit a broad range of application needs.

Applications:

Biochemical assays
Cell-based assays
NGS protocols

Reformatting between 96 and 384-well plates is an easy way of increasing throughput and saving valuable reagents, but it's error-prone with manual pipettes as users have to pipette into the correct quadrant of a high-density plate.

The apricot S3 features a fully automated y-movement on the deck for perfect reformatting between 96 and 384-well plates.

Applications:

Sample management
Biochemical assays
Cell-based assays
NGS protocols

Mixing using 96 or 384 heads is ideal for combining samples and reagents in time-sensitive assays or gently resuspend cells prior to plating.

All samples are processed simultaneously and equivalently (using the same well depth, piston speed, and number of mix cycles) for a homogenous assay setup and reliable data.

Applications:

Biochemical assays
Cell-based assays
NGS protocols

SBS 24/96/384-well plates

Deep well blocks

96/384 PCR plates

Racked tubes (24/96 well plate footprint)

Applications:

Biochemical assays
Cell based assays
NGS, including PCR/qPCR
Compound management

Reagent	Parylene coated channel
HCl, 10%	Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
H₂SO₄, 10%	Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
HF, 10%	Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
NH₄OH	Fully compatible
MeOH	Fully compatible
Ethanol, 75%	Fully compatible
AcN	Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
THF	Incompatible
MTBE	Compatible - performance may deteriorate over time
n-hexane	Fully compatible

User friendly software. Easy to do quick setup but also offers many different functions and options for more extensive assays. Reproducibility was very good in a time-saving manner. Instrument allows for mid to high throughput assays.

Ian Hammond-Martel

Paraza Pharma

"5/5 for easy to import, create or edit workflows/protocols. Our apricot works really well for NGS protocols. 5/5 for easy to calibrate and re-initialize. 5/5 for great after sales-care & customer services."

Stella Huang | R&D Scientist

seqWell

"Amazing to see [the apricot] unboxed and contributing to more efficient NGS workflows on the same day! We’re all about that kind of turnaround…"

Sequencing Technologies Director

Day Zero Diagnostics

"The apricot is a very efficient tool for us. We work with high-throughput 384-well low-volume plates that don't leave a lot of room for error when handling. Using the apricot for media changes and other aspects of cell culture cut down our wet lab time tremendously and make our treatments much more consistent than they would be by hand. The apricot is our most heavily used piece of equipment in our lab."

Jake Buford | Assistant Lab Manager

PhenoVista Biosciences

"In the start of the pandemic PP5+1 saved the day! It is easy to create reproduce-able results. I created Covid extraction protocols with this instrument “6 PP5+1” paralleling the process allowing lab staff to easily run RNA extractions and get the same results every time. With the open platform it makes it intuitive to control the throughput. It can handle higher throughput or partial allowing us to keep one instrument for all our needs."

Samuel Gonzalez | Field Engineer

Pandemic Response Lab

The Apricot S3 delivered high level of precision and accuracy in pipetting when we had it for the demo, the %CV was around 1.5%. It's nice to have a instrument that can pipet 0.5 uL to 125 uL in one pipet tray, which greatly facilitates our workflow. It is very easy to use and methods are easily written.

Zachary Nguyen | Principal Scientist

Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research

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Technical Specification

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Dispensing precision	(96-1000) <3% CV at 10µL (96-500) <3% CV at 5µL (96/384-125) <3% CV at 1µL	Dispensing accuracy	(96-1000) +/–2% error at 10µL (96-500) +/–2% error at 5µL (96/384-125) +/– 2% error at 1µL
Volume	(96) 500µL, 1000µL (96/384) 125µL (96-1000) 5-1000µL (96-500) 1-500µL (96-125) 0.5-125µL (384-125) 0.5-125µL	Resolution	(96-500/1000) 1µL (96/384-125) 0.1µL
Power	100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz	Operating temperature	50–100°F 10–37.8˚C
Dimensions (W x D x H)	457mm x 406mm x 584mm 18” x 16” x 23”	Weight	Approx. 27kg / 60lbs

apricot tips and consumables

Our apricot S3 pipette tips and consumables are designed to work in perfect combination with the apricot automated S3 pipettors. Manufactured exclusively by SPT Labtech for our apricot instruments, the apricot EZ-load and AL tips deliver optimal liquid handling precision and accuracy.

Explore apricot S3 tips and consumables