An arrayable flow-through microcentrifuge for high-throughput instrumentation

A compact, flow-through centrifugation system has been developed specifical ly for high-throughput centrifugation of large numbers of samples. The inst rument is based on multiple high-speed rotors that also serve as sample hol ders. The small size of the rotors allows them to be arrayed in a standard 96-well microtiter plate spacing, making this device ideal for highly paral lel automated instrumentation. Though initially designed for cell separatio n in DNA sequencing protocols, the flow-through centrifuge can be used to r eplace conventional centrifugation in most processes involving small sample s. Techniques for recovery of both the supernatant and the pellet have been developed, as well as techniques for sample mixing, and cleaning of the re usable rotors. This paper discusses the design and performance of the flow- through centrifuge applied to cell separation and resuspension and to DNA p urification and concentration.