CRS Supplies High Throughput DNA Isolation / Purification System to Joint Genome Institute

CRS Robotics Corp. (Burlington, ON, Canada) has installed two DNA purification systems for the Department Of Energy's (DOE) Joint Genome Institute Production Sequencing facility (Walnut Creek, CA). The systems fully automate purification of isolated DNA through a solid phase reversible immobilization (SPRI) method.

CRS offers a broad line of articulated laboratory robots.

The throughput rate for complete DNA purification with the CRS SPRI system is 1,152 samples per hour, or up to 27,000 DNA samples processed per day. The system is controlled by Polara, CRS's advanced laboratory software and utilizes a CRS Model T265 laboratory robot.

Polara integrates diverse lab instrumentation through an easy-to-use Windows interface.

One of the few Canadian companies on the forefront of laboratory automation, CRS specializes in hardware and advanced software for biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. In addition, CRS manufactures and supplies robots for advanced manufacturing niche markets. What sets CRS apart, according to finance VP Jim Youldon, is its eagerness to work with customers on specific applications not immediately served by its off-the-shelf products. "We address customers concerns individually," Youldon said. "Almost everything we sell requires some degree of customer-specific tailoring."

CRS is headquartered in Burlington, Ontario and has subsidiaries in the United States and Europe.

For more information: Jim Youldon, VP of Finance, CRS Robotics, 5344 John Lucas Dr., Burlington, ON L7L 6A6, Canada. Tel: 905-332-2000, ext. 258. Fax: 905-332-6385.

Angelo DePalma