Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction Systems
Aurora has developed the VERSA™ NAP Automated DNA Extraction systems (sometimes called automated nucleic acid extraction system) to efficiently automate DNA extractions, RNA extractions, and their related purification protocols. The Magnetic Beads Vortex ensures homogeneous magnetic bead suspension and distribution to maximize DNA yields. The combination of ReagentDrop bulk reagent dispensing module and 96-tip Aspirator offers fast and efficient bead washing while saving pipette tips and reducing processing times. Unlike slider systems that limit plate movement between two neighbouring decks, Aurora’s automated Nucleic Acid Purification and Extraction systems feature plate Grippers and Transporters that enable more flexibility in tailoring different protocols.
- Increase sample throughput
- High nucleic acid yields
- Isolate pure, high-quality DNA or RNA
- Process 1-96 samples per run
The VERSA™ NAP automated DNA/RNA Extraction systems are compatible with various commercial kits, reagents, and labware. VERSA™ enables you to keep using the products that you have confidence in or update workflows as new, innovative kits and consumables become available.
Automated DNA/RNA Extraction Applications
- Human Blood and Saliva
- Plant DNA and RNA Extraction/Purification
- Soil and Environmental Samples
- Molecular Diagnostics
- DNA Fingerprinting
- Automated Viral RNA Extraction for SARS-CoV-2
- Food Contamination Analysis
- Animal Disease Detection
Streamline Your COVID-19 Diagnostic Workflow
Aurora’s VERSA™ automated RNA extraction machine offers a fully automated solution to streamline magnetic beads based viral RNA extraction and PCR reaction setup. VERSA™ 10 and VERSA™ 1100 are compatible with most of the commercially available reagent kits as well as in-house developed chemistries. Trusted by many healthcare professionals, VERSA™ RNA extraction machine has been playing an important role in helping to expand testing capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact us to learn more about Aurora’s automated detection solution for COVID-19.
| Specification | VERSA™ 10 | VERSA™ 110 | VERSA™ 1100 |
| Deck Capacity | 6 | 8 | 15 |
| Pipetting Head (Single Channel Function, Disposable Tip) | 4 or 8-channel | Single channel (Dual syringe pump) | 8 or 96 channel or 4 channel with independent Z-axis |
| ReagentDrop | N/A | 4 channels | 8 channels |
| 96-Tip Aspirator | N/A | Optional | 1 |
| Temperature Regulation Block | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Reagent Cooling Block | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Plate Shaker | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Magnetic Block | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Gripper / Plate Transporter | Plate Transporter | Plate Transporter | Gripper |
| Liquid Level Sensing | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| HEPA / UV / LED Enclosure | Optional | Optional | Included |
| Width x Depth x Height (cm) | 65 x 43 x 52 | 60 x 60 x 45 | 98.5 x 75.2 x 108.2 |
| Weight (kg) | 27 | 35 | 200 |
Automation of Thermo Fisher Scientific MagMAXDNA Using VERSA10™ Liquid Handling Workstation
This application note provides a detailed guide on how to automate the MagMAXDNA kit using scripts specifically designed on the VERSA™ 10.
Automation of COVID-19 RNA purification using HALO™ Mag nucleic acid extraction kit on VERSA™ 10
Application note of VERSA™ 10 automated viral RNA extraction workstation for COVID-19 sample preparation from a hospital user in Minsk, Belarus.
Validation of MO BIO’s PowerMag™ Soil DNA Isolation Kit on the Automated Liquid Handling VERSA™ 1100 Workstation
Download the validation poster to see how the VERSA™ Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction and Purification workstation is automating challenging soil extractions while demonstrating incomparable reproducibility on all soil samples.
Automated RNA Isolation from Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs)
using Aurora Biomed’s VERSA™ 1100 Gene
Download the application note to see how the VERSA™ 1100 Gene can streamline RNA extraction workflows.
Validation of AB Magpure Blood DNA Isolation kit on the VERSA™ Automated DNA Extraction System
Download the application note to see how the VERSA™ Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction and Purification workstation is automating Blood DNA extractions.
For More Validations or Publications
Modules Tailored to Your Automated DNA/RNA Extraction and Purification Protocols
Magnetic Bead Vortex
ensures homogeneous bead suspension
ReagentDrop
dispenses bulk reagents accurately
Gripper
moves sample plates between different deck positions
96 Tip Aspirator
increases efficiency and speed while reducing tip costs
Shaker-Heater
allows efficient sample processing
Magnetic Block
pulls down magnetic beads for DNA/RNA extraction
- Optional 4-channel syringe pipettor with independent Z-axis allows working out of source sample tubes
- Highly accurate air-displacement technology increases reproducibility
- Flexibility to perform other associated tasks such as normalization, plate reformatting, and PCR setup
- Open System – compatible with diverse reagents, kits and labware
- HEPA/UV/LED Enclosure – keeps samples contamination-free
- Scalable Solution – processes 1 to 96 samples in parallel depending on throughput demands
- Unparalleled Customer Service – our engineering team is readily available to troubleshoot your protocols
What kits can be used with VERSA™ NAP Automated DNA / RNA Extraction and Purification workstations?
VERSA™ workstations are very flexible and open systems and are compatible with almost all commercially available extraction and purification kits, extracting DNA from different types of biological samples. Common examples of kits include Qiagen DNeasy kits, Qiagen RNeasy kits, Promega Maxwell® RSC kits, Thermo Fisher Scientific KingFisher™ kits, MagMAX™ kits and others. Contact us to verify the compatibility of your kit with our specific model of VERSA™ NAP workstation and recommended protocols for automated workflows.
What nucleic acid extraction methods does VERSA™ support?
VERSA™ workstations can extract DNA/RNA by both magnetic beads and spin column based methods. Phenol-chloroform extraction is also available on VERSA.
Can samples be incubated directly on the VERSA™ deck?
Yes, VERSA™ Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction and Purification workstations are equipped with a Heater-Cooler Plate and Heater-Shaker that can be used for sample incubation at temperatures from 4° – 90°C.
Can VERSA™ be used to do any downstream applications such as PCR setup?
Yes, VERSA™ liquid handlers can be implemented for downstream steps such as PCR setup, master mix preparation, plate reformatting and NGS library prep.
Do plates need to be manually transported between the shaking module and magnetic block?
No, all transporting between different modules is done by the plate gripper or plate transporter.
Is there any chance of cross-contamination?
No. VERSA™ workstations have been validated for automating different applications and no cross-contamination issues have been observed. VERSA™ utilizes disposable tips to eliminate cross-contamination. Additionally, the aspirating and dispensing speed is carefully adjusted to avoid splashing or carry-over contamination. It is also equipped with a HEPA filter and UV light to keep the environment contamination-free.
