Thanks to the microarray printer, we now are easily construct microarrays to analyze glycan-protein interactions which is a significant resource to our lab in particular.
JOHN CHITTUM
Virginia Commonwealth University
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and the organization you are working with.
I am a 4th year graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Virginia). I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry. I am from Annandale, Virginia and received my B.S. in Biotechnology from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia). Currently I work in the lab of Dr. Umesh Desai here at VCU.
What project are you working on or have previously worked on with our instrument?
Currently I am working on the construction of glycan microarrays. These microarrays will be used to screen against proteins of interest and assess their binding to specific glycan molecules. Specifically, I am currently analyzing the interactions of these glycan molecules with proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The VERSA Spotter is the first instrument from Aurora that I have personally worked with.
For our lab transitioning to using microarray technology, Damon has been an enormous help during this process and I am thankful for his patience and will to assist.
What differences have you seen in your routine at the lab after the implementation of one of our instruments?
The VERSA Spotter has enabled our lab to construct our own microarrays which is a field of research that our lab has never been involved with prior to acquiring this instrument. In fact, currently, I believe we are the only lab in the university to possess and utilize such an instrument.
Thanks to the microarray printer, we now are easily construct microarrays to analyze glycan-protein interactions which is a significant resource to our lab in particular.
How did our service/engineer team assist you when support is needed?
The support we have received in terms of troubleshooting either software or technical issues with the printer and our experimental setups have been an immense help to our lab’s work with microarray technology. They are especially easy-going and a pleasure to speak and work with.
Damon Wang was the technician I spoke with the most whenever I needed help regarding the instrument.
When the engineering team came on-site to assist with the instrument, they were very helpful as well.
"The VERSA Spotter has enabled our lab to construct our own microarrays. Thanks to the microarray printer, we now are easily construct microarrays to analyze glycan-protein interactions which is a significant resource to our lab in particular."
"Our two VERSA 10s as well as our two VERSA 1100s have primarily been used to automate our COVID-19 assay. The hands-free automation on these instruments has drastically increased our throughput while lowering report turn-around-times."
"We have three instruments in total. DNA Labs International is looking forward to using the VERSA instruments (VERSA 1100) to streamline sexual assault kit processing and to help usher in the new era of Next Generation Sequencing technology."
“…Having this workstation, we are able to increase our productivity immensely. There are a lot of options for the machine. We were able to get a customized tray and set up an assay that fulfils all of our needs. The machine is easy to program. I am able to recalibrate the machine to ensure that my fill volume remains accurate and consistent…”
