firefly^®

Accelerate genomic research with innovative all-in-one, compact liquid handling

The firefly impact

Innovative all-in-one liquid handling brings together multiple technologies within a single compact design for more efficient library and sample preparation workflows and maximum output. Underpinned by powerful, intuitive software, firefly unlocks the potential of automation for all to accelerate genomic research.

All-in-one

firefly simplifies your genomic liquid handling workflows, combining pipetting, dispensing, incubating, and shaking technologies within an ingenious all-in-one solution.

Compact design

firefly’s compact, streamlined design makes intelligent use of precious laboratory footprint, allowing you to do more genomics research with less space. The best things do come in small packages.

Peer-to-peer

firefly connects researchers and inspires bigger breakthroughs through a first-in-class peer-to-peer cloud-based network. Share custom protocols and swiftly access validated tools to deepen collaboration and accelerate innovation.

Intuitive, powerful software

firefly sets a new standard in powerful liquid handling software. Its intuitive interface unlocks the potential of automation for all, putting you in control of your workflows without the need for complex programming.

dispensing-technology - Copy firefly harnesses novel dispensing technology to minimize tip use, reduce reagent dead volumes and miniaturize protocols allowing you to maximize your research output. Use 3 or 6 dragonfly tip options in any combination for ultimate dispensing speed and flexibility.

pipetting-launch - Copy (1) firefly delivers highly accurate and precise air displacement pipetting in the 0.5 ul to 125 uL range accommodating a variety of 96 or 384 well plate formats. Automated tip loading streamlines time consuming processes and flexible column loading makes it easier for researchers to manage partial plates or partitioning of plates.

firefly sets a new standard in liquid handling software, simplifying automated workflows with a highly accessible user interface, log-in access control, and presumptive ‘intelligence’. The ability to author on any PC maximizes efficiency when in the lab, while full version management ensures a complete audit trail.

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firefly+

Maximize walkaway time with complete end-to-end automated NGS library preparation

firefly+ expands on the current liquid handling capabilities of firefly with an integrated thermocycler and additional labware capability, all while maintaining our commitment to usability and compact design.

Find out more

Shaping a new era of genomics research

Our liquid handling portfolio provides you with accurate and repeatable nanolitre to microlitre pipetting and dispensing, every time, irrespective of liquid viscosity or environmental conditions.

We harness innovative technology to streamline workflows and accelerate research. Robust, reliable, and easy to use, our products overcome tough technical challenges and enable researchers to focus on the best science.

System architecture

firefly features a 384 pipetting module and 3 or 6 dispense heads to provide flexible high performance approaches to a range of applications such as NGS library prep and PCR set up. An ingenious 2 tier moving deck system with an additional sub-deck layer for accessories packs a lot of capability into a very small footprint.

Pipetting head operates in several configurations: 384, 96, columns of 16 (384 format) and 8 (96 format) from 0.5uL to 125uL. Utilizes robust and proven air displacement technology with disposable tips and a range of tip types including gamma irradiated and filtered options.

Dispense heads provide either 3 or 6 positive displacement syringes for non-contact, liquid agnostic reagent dispensing. Syringes can operate completely independently for multiple reagent dispensing or in parallel (any combination) for speed.

The gripper module works in combination with the pipetting head and can move labware between the decks and sub-deck levels.

Optional application accessories provide greater walk-away capability with options for magnetic plates, cooling and heating tiles, and shakers.

The safety enclosure protects users from moving parts while protecting samples and reagents from airborne contaminants. A large interlocked door provides safe and easy access to load the system.

firefly sets a new standard in genomics liquid handling software with easy accessible user interface, secure log-in and audit trails, multiple user levels and intelligent programming. With cloud-based sharing and the ability to author on any PC, firefly software makes automation accessible to any lab user.

The graphical interface is extremely intuitive and accessible to users of all levels. Researcher scan quickly build new protocols on any Windows PC or compatible device, even in the coffee shop! Simple drag and drop enables easy protocol set up with accessible extended features for fine tuning by advanced users. Protocols can also be locked down and tailored to provide the simplest set up for any user with clear running instructions to make the system truly accessible to anyone in the lab. Powerful audit trails and user access also ensure that methods are protected and provide tools to aid compliance in regulated environments.

firefly can be programmed and protocols executed at the instrument through the integrated tablet. The software can also be installed on external Windows-based devices to enable protocol writing away from the system. Easily share protocols with the instrument via the cloud connection, network or even a USB stick providing ultimate flexibility and convenience.

firefly software provides cloud access to a user community enabling the sharing of protocols between users and access to SPT labtech validated protocols and tools.

The pipetting head has a 384 core capable of parallel pipetting up to 384 individual samples between 0.5uL and 125uL. Disposable tips are available in other formats to support working in both 384 and 96 well labware.

Tip formats

384 standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.
96 standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.
8 strips (96 format) standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.
16 strips (384 format) standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.

Strip tips enable users to work with partial plates or across plates to facilitate processes such as serial dilutions.

The system is equipped with either 3 or 6 dispensing heads which can be synchronized for high throughput or controlled independently for reagent flexibility.

True positive displacement disposable syringes provide liquid class agnostic non-contact dispensing of volumes from 200nL to 4mL. Each syringe can be used as a 4mL reservoir to multi-dispense smaller volumes, dispensing to a whole 96 well plate in as little as 30 seconds.

The non-contact dispensing mechanism enables tips to be used for multiple operations per reagent and dramatically reduces tip consumption versus standard pipetting approaches. No calibration, cleaning, or maintenance is required and there is zero chance of blocking or clogging.

The pipetting head includes a gripper module capable of moving labware between the deck and sub deck layers and moving labware on and off functional modules such as shakers and heater/cooler plates as well as magnetic blocks.

The gripper can move certain accessories such as incubation adaptor plates, so a microplate being maintained below deck on a heater/cooler plate can be moved to deck on its adaptor plate to maintain temperature whilst on the deck for pipetting or dispensing, before being returned to the heater/cooler to return to active temperature control.

The gripper is capable of moving labware with pipette tips in place for increased workflow efficiency, alternatively tips can be removed before working with the gripper. It moves in tandem with the pipetting head in terms of Y and Z movement as well as having a further Z motion so that it can reach down below the pipette tips to grip labware. The grip mechanism can be trained to pick and place a wide variety of ANSI/SBS labware.

SPT Labtech_firefly+-2 firefly+ expands on the current liquid handling capabilities of firefly with an integrated thermocycler and additional labware capability, all while maintaining our commitment to usability and compact design. firefly+ grants genomics researchers the ability to run completely automated NGS library preparation, giving even more time for critical thinking tasks like data analysis and experiment design.

Find out more >

Minimize environmental contamination risks by utilizing positive pressure generated through a vertical laminar air flow and HEPA filtration. Sitting on top of the firefly base unit, HEPA filters are designed to remove at least 99.7% of particles that are 0.3 µm in diameter

Technical Specification

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Instrument variants	firefly genomics 3 head firefly genomics 6 head firefly 3 head firefly 6 head	Pipetting module	384 pipetting core capable of loading 384, 96 or columns of 8 (96 format) or 16 (384 format)
Pipetting range and performance	0.5 to 125 µL pipetting range (100 µL with filter tips), <5% CV and +/- 5% inaccuracy at 1 µL* *Based on QC performance checks using aqueous reagents and specific microplates	Particle sizes	less than 0.032” diameter to prevent tip blockage
384 tip format	Options of 50 µL and 125 µL gamma irradiated and non-gamma irradiated tips Filtered tips available in 35 µL and 100µL Strips of 16 tips for 50 µL and 125 µL non-filtered, 35 µL and 100 µL filtered.	96 tip format	Options of 50 µL and 125 µL gamma irradiated tips Filtered tips available in 35 µL and 100 µL Strips of 8 tips for 50 µL and 125 µL non-filtered, 35 µL and 100 µL filtered.
Gripper Module	Compatible with most SBS/ANSI labware	Dispense Module	Choose from 3 or 6 independent positive displacement dispense heads
Dispense volume range	200 nL to 4 mL	Bulk dispense speed starting from	30 seconds per 96-well plate
Dead volume	75 - 400 µL recoverable dead volume, depending on reservoir type	Reservoir options	Standard (10 mL) High volume (40 mL) Low dead volume (1.5 mL)
Primary SBS/ANSI plate formats	96 and 384-well labware including deepwell blocks and 96 format tubes up to 45mm in height	Optional accessories	Microplate cooler/heater block Microplate shaker Dispense module reagent cooler/heater
Dimensions (W x D x H)	670 mm x 570 mm x 800 mm	Weight	120 kg

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Application Area	Method	Available in firefly cloud	In development
Library Preparation \| RNA	NEBNext^® Ultra™ II Directional RNA Library Prep - rRNA Depletion
	Illumina Stranded mRNA Prep
	NEBNext UltraExpress™ RNA Library Prep Kit
	Watchmaker mRNA Library Prep Kit
	cDNA Amplification with Takara SMART-Seq^® v4
	Illumina Stranded Total RNA Prep, Ligation with Ribo-Zero Plus / Ribo-Zero Plus Microbiome
	mRNA-seq Preparation Protocol
	NEBNext^® Ultra™ II Directional RNA Library Prep - PolyA mRNA Selection
	PolyA Selection using Invitrogen™ Dynabeads™
	Ribosomal Depletion with Ribo-Erase
	Takara SMART-Seq^® v4 Ultra^® Low Input RNA
	Watchmaker RNA Library Prep with Polaris Depletion
Library Preparation \| DNA \| Whole Genome	Roche KAPA EvoPlus Kit and KAPA EvoPlus Kit V2 >
	PacBio SMRTbell^® Prep Kit 3.0 >
	Watchmaker DNA Library Preparation with Fragmentation >
	NEBNext^® Ultra™ II FS DNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina
	NEBNext UltraExpress^® FS DNA Library Prep Kit
Library Preparation \| DNA \| Small Genome/Plasmid/Amplicon	seqWell ExpressPlex™ Library Prep >
Library Preparation \| DNA \| Small Genome/Plasmid/Amplicon	Illumina Nextera XT DNA Library Preparation
Quantification \| Library Quantification	Roche KAPA Library Quantification Kits >
Quantification \| Library Quantification	NEBNext^® Library Quant Kit for Illumina
Liquid Handling Verification	Artel MVS
Library Preparation \| Single Cell Transcriptomics	10X Genomics Chromium Next GEM Single Cell 5' HT v2 (Dual Index)
	Scale Biosciences Single Cell RNA Kit >
	Parse Evercode™ WT Mega v3
Library Preparation \| DNA \| Whole Genome/Amplicon	Illumina DNA Prep
Library Preparation \| DNA Enrichment	IDT xGEN Hybridization Capture
Library Preparation \| Single Cell Epigenomics	Scale Bioscience Single Cell Methylation Kit

39 mins

Webinar: Chan Zuckerberg Biohub

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10 mins

firefly Software Demo

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60 mins

The transition to automated library prep for enhanced pathogen surveillance workflows - Webinar

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13 mins

Writing a protocol on firefly

Watch video

48 mins

Webinar: Biopolymers Genomics Core Facility (BPF) at Harvard Medical School

Watch video

62 mins

See data generated from firefly

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We have been answering this common question about cross-contamination since we launched our dragonfly non-contact dispensing systems several years ago. Our dragonfly has been widely adopted during the pandemic for mastermix dispensing in sensitive qPCR and Covid-Seq protocols. It has undergone much scrutiny to prove that its dispensing doesn't result in splashing that could lead to well-to-well contamination.

We' have continued to test this with firefly and have extensive data showing no evidence of cross contamination.

The on-deck heating blocks are designed for incubation only.

An optional expansion unit, firefly+, integrates an on-deck thermocycler in 96 or 384-well format to support end-to-end automated NGS and PCR workflows.

Yes. firefly is designed with both LIMS and integrators in mind. Depending on your workflow that could just be a simple file transfer, e.g. tracking samples via input and output files such as a CSV file, or large-scale integration with software control via the integrated robot. We're working with a number of integration companies to refine the API on an ongoing basis. Please reach out to us for more information on this, SiLA compatibility, etc. In terms of hardware, the side panels can be removed to provide robot access from either side or the front of the instrument.

Yes. The dispense side is very flexible. You have complete control over the dispense motor, which is independent for each of the syringes. You could use a single syringe to work across a plate with different volumes to get different concentrations. Or, if you want to do it faster, you can aspirate a common reagent across all 6 tips to dispense different volumes to different wells simultaneously.

The non-contact dispenser gives you a powerful way of setting up gradients or running normalizations. You can use a CSV file to deliver a different diluent volume to each well. Using this approach, you get different final volumes, with the sample volume kept constant and just the diluent volume varied. It's a very fast process - the variable diluent volume can be added in as little as 30 seconds if all 6 syringes are used, and in a little over 3 minutes if only 1 dispense syringe is used.

For 96-well plates, we typically have a dead volume of less than 2µL and less than 1µL in 384-well PCR plates. This is based on aspirating from the well in order to transfer liquid into another well. It's slightly different in the case of a bead clean-up. Here we can over-aspirate from a well and leave the well virtually dry – the aspirate would then typically be put to a waste plate, so accurate dispensing and air bubbles are not a concern in this scenario. In terms of magnetic beads, these are usually isolated part way up the well, so that virtually all the waste liquid can be removed without disturbing the beads.

This depends on your application. It can run a non-contact dispense across an entire 96-well plate in as little as 30 seconds. The 96 pipetting head can then perform a tip load, plus sample transfer, in around 30 seconds. Let us know about your application, so we can give you a more specific throughput estimation.

Feedback from customers has been very positive about the potential benefits of sharing and collaborating in a community of users. Users that share protocols will do so in the good faith that others will also share, and all will benefit. Only time will tell how successful this will be, but we are highly optimistic of success in this area.

There's a small wetting volume in the syringes themselves of about 15µL (including an over-aspirate as a safety margin). There's a minimum volume in the reservoirs to ensure bubble-free aspiration. For a standard reservoir, the dead volume is 240µL, of which 230µL is recoverable from the reservoir. There's also a low dead volume (LDV) reservoir with a dead volume of 75uL, of which 55uL is recoverable. These numbers represent the default settings for robust operation, but it's possible to improve them further with careful optimization.

We recommend minimum Windows 10. The software is open license and can be installed on any Windows device that enables users to author protocols anywhere and send to the system remotely. The software can also be operated on a Mac using Parallels, so protocols can be written off-line (the instrument must be controlled by a windows device – a Windows tablet is included, or, alternatively, an external PC can be used).

Yes, a documented verification process is available at time of purchase to record that the instrument has been correctly delivered, installed and configured. By choosing to do this with us, you can significantly reduce the start-up time required to document an install, with the confidence of fully trained firefly engineer.

firefly®

Accelerate genomic research with innovative all-in-one, compact liquid handling

The firefly impact

All-in-one

Compact design

Peer-to-peer

Intuitive, powerful software

firefly+

Maximize walkaway time with complete end-to-end automated NGS library preparation

Book your tailored demo of firefly®

Shaping a new era of genomics research

System architecture

Technical Specification

Methods developed on firefly

Existing firefly user?

See firefly in action

Download the firefly app

Video library

Webinar: Chan Zuckerberg Biohub

firefly Software Demo

The transition to automated library prep for enhanced pathogen surveillance workflows - Webinar

Writing a protocol on firefly

Webinar: Biopolymers Genomics Core Facility (BPF) at Harvard Medical School

See data generated from firefly

FAQs about firefly

Is there a risk of spill-over or contamination during the non-contact dispensing?

Can the heated block be used for PCR cycling?

Can the system be integrated; does it have an API for LIMS integration?

Can you dispense different volumes to different wells, e.g. for concentration gradients and normalizations?

How much dead volume is left in 96-well and 384-well plates after aspirating?

What is firefly's throughput rate?

What are the incentives for people to share their research protocols?

What is the dead volume for the syringes?

Are all operating systems compatible with the software?

Do you provide an installation qualification (IQ) service for firefly?

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Shaping a new era of genomics liquid handling

firefly^®

Book your tailored demo of firefly^®