The AquaMax DW4 integrates four-fluid dispensing and washing into one instrument that promises improved productivity over rival systems as well as better results with both adherent and non-adherent cells and beads, according to the company .

The machine is specifically geared to scientists working in the life sciences and drug discovery, where microplates are used in applications such as assay development and high-throughput drug screening.

Stephen Oldfield, vice president of worldwide marketing at Molecular Devices, stated said that enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), kinase, phosphatase, and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-type assays that require washing and multiple dispensing steps can now be done on one unit.

The small footprint saves valuable space in the lab and the system's low-volume dispense capability - down to as little as 0.5 microlitres - provides savings in reagents. And the user can expand throughput capabilities by upgrading from 96-well through 1536-well, simply by swapping disensing heads.

For more information on the product, contact your local Molecular Devices brand at http://www.moleculardevices.com/pages/contact.html .