ASSIST PLUS Pipetting robot for full workflow automation
Pipetting robot for full workflow automation
Supply update
Information regarding INTEGRA supply continuity in relation to the conflict in the Middle East.
Read more
Frees you from routine pipetting and provides excellent results
The use of electronic pipettes helps to increase throughput in today’s laboratories. However, prolonged manual pipetting takes up precious time, and can lead to repetitive strain injuries. Ever-decreasing sample sizes have also made it increasingly difficult to pipette without errors.
INTEGRA has developed the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot to streamline routine pipetting tasks at an affordable price. Using INTEGRA electronic multichannel pipettes or the D-ONE single channel pipetting module, this system automates repetitive tasks while eliminating physical strain, providing superior reproducibility and ensuring error-free processing.
How it works
Simply mount an INTEGRA VIAFLO or VOYAGER electronic multichannel pipette or D-ONE single channel pipetting module onto the ASSIST PLUS pipette holder, choose a pipetting protocol, add a tip rack and your labware, and press ‘RUN’. ASSIST PLUS will then automatically carry out the pipetting task.
1) Pipette adapter: accommodates all INTEGRA electronic multichannel pipettes – with fixed and adjustable tip spacing – and the D-ONE single channel pipetting module.
2) User Interface: program setup and selection is done using the pipette’s intuitive user interface.
3) Deck: up to four work positions are available to accommodate reagent reservoirs, tube racks and plates.
4 & 5) Automatic tip change: two dedicated positions for automatic tip loading and ejection.
ASSIST PLUS ensures:
- optimal tip immersion depths
- consistent pipetting angle
- controlled pipetting speeds
- precise tip positioning in wells
- no pipetting mistakes are made
- strict adherence to pipetting programs
This leads to superior pipetting results and work flow consistency, while also eliminating human errors such as skipping rows.
Smart Pipette Adapter
The pipette adapter of ASSIST PLUS allows the use of all VIAFLO and VOYAGER multichannel pipettes and, for unlimited flexibility, the D-ONE single channel pipetting module. Pipette from one to 16 channels, and cover a volume range of 0.5 to 1250 μl, for many different applications.
Labware compatibility
ASSIST PLUS can accommodate numerous labware types, from tubes to 384-well plates in landscape or portrait orientation. INTEGRA multichannel reservoirs, which are available in 10, 25 and 100 ml sizes offer exceptionally low dead volumes. For larger storage volumes, INTEGRA’s automation-friendly reservoirs can be used.
Streamline magnetic bead purifications
ASSIST PLUS can also fully automate magnetic bead purifications with the MAG modules. As well as automating the pipetting steps, these instruments also automate bead collection using vertical magnet movement, offering walk-way time instead of laborious manual work.
To go beyond multichannel pipetting on the ASSIST PLUS, the D-ONE pipetting module is the perfect add-on, allowing automation of unlimited applications. Tedious tasks like normalization, hit picking or pipetting of complex plate layouts are easily possible. It offers a choice of two wide volume ranges, from 0.5 to 300 µl and 5 to 1250 µl, as well as liquid level detection for optimal pipetting results. Learn about the D-ONE single channel pipetting module.
Directly on the pipette
Protocol setup and selection is done using the pipette’s intuitive user interface. The Touch Wheel allows extremely fast menu navigation and volume adjustments. Simply choose a predefined program and adapt the default settings to your requirements.
Using a computer
The VIALAB software offers a simple and intuitive graphical user interface, allowing you to create protocols with a few clicks, without extensive programming knowledge.
VIALINK Pipette Management Software offers advanced users the ultimate freedom of defining pipetting programs step by step.
GRIPTIPS® are always firmly attached and perfectly aligned, regardless of how many side well touch offs are performed. You no longer have to hammer your pipette tips on or worry about pipette tips falling off!
1) Lobes
2) O-Ring Seal
3) Rim snaps over the Lobes
4) Shoulder
The rim (3) of the GRIPTIPS® will snap over the Multi-Lobes (1), attaching firmly. As a result, GRIPTIPS® will never accidently fall off.
A shoulder (4) provides a positive stop to prevent over-tightening of the tip. It can only be attached up to that point and no further, ensuring that all tips are at the same height. That means, the tip is either on or off, but nothing in between.
To make your life easier and get you up and running quickly with our ASSIST PLUS, we have prepared some helpful videos.
The longer you can use a device, the better it is for the planet. At INTEGRA, we design our products to ensure low wear and easy serviceability. Moreover, we offer consumable solutions that are low in plastic, for both reservoirs and pipette tips.
Customer Voices
See it work
Uses and Applications
- Serial dilutions
-
Repeated dilution steps with optimal pipetting heights, controlled mixing speeds and optional tip change
Performing serial dilutions by hand is a tedious and error prone task, but not with the ASSIST PLUS. It never skips rows, and ensures critical parameters – such as pipetting heights and mixing speeds – remain consistent for excellent pipetting results. If required, tips can be exchanged after every transfer to minimize the risk of carryover.
![Automated pipetting: ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot performing serial dilutions using a VIAFLO electronic multichannel pipette.]()
- Reformatting
-
Pipetting between different plate / tube formats
Reformatting samples – e.g. from tubes into plates – is time consuming and prone to transfer errors. ASSIST PLUS reformats your samples automatically, taking full advantage of the VOYAGER pipette's adjustable tip spacing to process tubes and plates up to 12 times faster than using a single channel pipette.
![ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot using the VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipette to aspirate liquid from Eppendorf tubes.]()
If you would like to read more about tube to plate transfers with the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot, check this application note: Tube to plate transfer
If you would like to learn more about plate to plate transfers with the ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot and other electronic pipettes of INTEGRA, see this application note: Plate to plate transfer
- Plate filling & reagent addition
-
Assay set-up on the adaptable deck
Setting up assay plates typically requires the addition of multiple samples, buffers and media. The flexible deck layout of the ASSIST PLUS accommodates tubes, reservoirs and plates, enabling multi-step transfers to the assay plate.
![ASSIST PLUS automatic pipette filling a 48 well plate using an 8 channel electronic pipette.]()
- Normalization
-
Equalizing different sample concentrations to one target concentration
Normalizing or equalizing sample concentrations involves dilutions based on varying volumes of diluent and sample for each well. Using the D-ONE single channel pipetting module on the ASSIST PLUS allows hands-off, worry-free processing of this error-prone task. By using the dilution calculator in VIALAB only the initial and target concentrations need to be entered and the correct volumes are calculated automatically. Wide volume ranges, from 0.5 to 300 µl or 5 to 1250 µl, ensure very high or low concentration samples can be processed without manual tool changes during a run.
![Normalizing plates with the D-ONE module]()
- Hit Picking/ Cherry Picking
-
Sample transfers from single wells to the target plate
During hit or cherry picking, individual samples from several source plates are transferred to one target plate for further analysis. Using the D-ONE single channel pipetting module on the ASSIST PLUS, sample transfers from single wells to the target plate are possible. Importing worklists to VIALAB makes programming effortless and minimizes set-up time.
![Hit picking with D-ONE and ASSIST PLUS]()
- Master mix preparation
-
Mixing individual components
The combination of several reagents – reaction buffer, primers and enzymes – at different volumes is the first step for preparing all PCR reactions. Using the D-ONE single channel pipetting module on the ASSIST PLUS, mixing the individual components can be automated. The number of reactions can be easily changed, and the total volumes are automatically adjusted in VIALAB. Wide volume ranges, from 0.5 to 300 µl or 5 to 1250 µl, ensure very high or low volumes of reagent can be processed without manual tool changes.
![Mastermix preparation with D-ONE]()
- Magnetic Bead Purifications
-
Fully automated magnetic bead-based clean-up protocols
Magnetic bead purifications are extensively used in molecular biology for PCR clean-ups, NGS library prep size selection, and nucleic acid extraction. In protein research, they play a crucial role in targeted protein enrichment. These processes typically involve repetitive and tedious liquid transfers, however, the integration of MAG modules on the ASSIST PLUS enables a hands-free approach, significantly streamlining workflows and optimizing efficiency.
- Next generation sequencing
-
The ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot streamlines NGS library preparation.
Manual NGS library preparation is laborious and can lead to costly errors. The ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot enables automation of NGS workflows with minimal manual interventions. VIALAB software allows custom programming for precise control of pipetting heights, mixing speeds and pipette movements, ensuring consistency and reproducibility for excellent results.
Find out about the potential applications of ASSIST PLUS in NGS workflows here.
INTEGRA products used in an NGS workflow. - Compatible Labware
-
Microplates, PCR Cooling Blocks, Tube Racks, Reagent Reservoirs
Microplates
The ASSIST PLUS deck accommodates ANSI/SLAS-format microplates from 12- to 384-wells.
0.5, 1.5 and 2.0 ml microcentrifuge tube racks
Hold up to 48 tubes on removable carriers for easy loading and storage.
![Microcentrifuge tube rack fitting 0.5 ml, 1.5 ml and 2 ml tubes.]()
96 and 384 well PCR and flat bottom cooling blocks
The aluminum cooling blocks keep reagents in various PCR plates and flat bottom plates chilled. In addition, the 96 well PCR cooling block can also accommodate 0.2 ml PCR tubes.
![Flat bottom cooling block from INTEGRA Biosciences]()
Other tube types
ASSIST PLUS can work with various tube types using the correct adapter, such as 15 ml centrifuge tubes, 5 ml test tubes, cryogenic tubes or HPLC vials.
![Tube Racks for Centrifuge Tubes, Test Tubes and Cryogenic Tubes.]()
10, 25, 100, 150 and 300 ml reagent reservoirs
INTEGRA's reagent reservoirs are designed for minimal dead volume.
Find out more about reagent reservoirs for handheld pipetting or automation-friendly reservoir options on the product pages.
![Reagent Reservoir Family by INTEGRA Biosciences]()
Dual Reservoir Adapter for ASSIST PLUS
![Dual reservoir adapter with 2 didived reservoirs]()
- Heating, Cooling & Shaking
-
Options to allow incubation or shaking at different temperatures
Active Heating & Cooling
Heating and Cooling blocks which can be easily integrated into the ASSIST PLUS in order to help you perfectly control your application's temperatures.
Passive cooling
The aluminum cooling blocks keep reagents in various PCR plates and flat bottom plates chilled. In addition, the 96 well PCR cooling block can also accommodate PCR 0.2 ml PCR tubes.
![Flat bottom cooling block from INTEGRA Biosciences]()
Shaking
Shaking devices can be accomodated on the ASSIST PLUS, if your application also includes shaking steps. Combined heating and shaking options are available.
![Bioshake-t-with-tube-adapter-and-pedestal-for-assist-plus-voyager-8-ch-1250ul]()
Heating & Shaking
Tech info
Find here a quick overview of the product specifications. More detailed information can be found in the download-section below.
Dimensions (W x D x H)
Weight
Operating Conditions
Power requirements
Pipetting technology
Downloads & More
-
Flyer ASSIST and ASSIST PLUS - Pipetting Robots ( 7.41 MB ) -
Quick Start Guide ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot ( 392.9 KB ) -
Operating Instructions ASSIST PLUS ( 3.65 MB ) -
Quick Start Guide D-ONE Pipetting Module ( 257.99 KB ) -
Operating Instructions D-ONE Pipetting Module ( 1.45 MB ) -
ASSIST PLUS Getting Started Videos ( ) -
Flyer - Magnetic separation, heating, cooling and shaking ( 3.15 MB ) -
Download VIALAB Pipette Automation Software - Full application ( ) -
Sustainability ( ) -
Ergonomic pipettes ( )
Parts and numbers
- Instrument
-
ASSIST PLUS base unit
Description Part No. ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot, incl. tip waste bin, pipette charging cable and reservoir sample packs 4505 ![ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot base unit.]()
- Instrument & Pipette Accessories
-
Pipette Accessories, Tip Waste, Charging and Communication options
Description Part No. Pipette Li-ion battery 4205 Charging/communication stand for 1 pipette, incl. mains adapter 4211 Communication module for INTEGRA electronic pipettes 4222 4 Position Portrait Deck 4521 Tip deck for D-ONE pipetting module 4535 Pipette charging cable 4549 Tip waste bin (incl. frame and reflector) 4573 200 bags for tip waste bin 4570 Reflector for tip sensor 4574 Protection Cover 4581 - Labware Accessories
-
Tube Racks, Plate Holder
- D-ONE Pipetting Modules
-
D-ONE Pipetting Module
Description Part No. D-ONE Single Channel Pipetting Module, 0.5-300 µl* 4531 D-ONE Single Channel Pipetting Module,5-1250 µl* 4532 D-ONE "All in one" bundle - D-ONE Single Channel Pipetting Module, 0.5-300 µl
- D-ONE Single Channel Pipetting Module, 5-1250 µl
- Tip deck for D-ONE
- Portrait labware pedestal (+24 mm)
- Pipette Communication Modules (2 pc.)
4539 (*Communication module and power supply not included)
- VIAFLO Electronic Pipettes
-
8-, 12- and 16-channel VIAFLO pipettes
For accessories please visit VIAFLO electronic pipettes.8-Channel VIAFLO Pipettes
(Communication module and power supply not included)
Volume Range Part No. 0.5 – 12.5 µl 4621 2 – 50 µl 4626 5 – 125 µl 4622 10 – 300 µl 4623 50 – 1250 µl 4624 12-Channel VIAFLO Pipettes
(Communication module and power supply not included)
Volume Range Part No. 0.5 – 12.5 µl 4631 2 – 50 µl 4636 5 – 125 µl 4632 10 – 300 µl 4633 50 – 1250 µl 4634 16-Channel VIAFLO Pipettes
(Communication module and power supply not included)
Volume Range Part No. 0.5 – 12.5 µl 4641 2 – 50 µl 4646 5 – 125 µl 4642 ![INTEGRA’s range of VIAFLO electronic pipettes.]()
- VOYAGER Electronic Tip Spacing Pipettes
-
4-, 6-, 8- and 12-channel VOYAGER pipettes
For accessories please visit VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing pipettes.4-Channel VOYAGER Pipettes
(Communication module and power supply not included)
Volume Range Part No. 10 – 300 µl 4743 50 – 1250 µl 4744 6-Channel VOYAGER Pipettes
(Communication module and power supply not included)
Volume Range Part No. 10 – 300 µl 4763 50 – 1250 µl 4764 8-Channel VOYAGER Pipettes
(Communication module and power supply not included)
Volume Range Part No. 0.5 – 12.5 µl 4721 2 – 50 µl 4726 5 – 125 µl 4722 10 – 300 µl 4723 50 – 1250 µl 4724 12-Channel VOYAGER Pipettes
(Communication module and power supply not included)
Volume Range Part No. 0.5 – 12.5 µl 4731 2 – 50 µl 4736 5 – 125 µl 4732 ![INTEGRA’s range of VOYAGER adjustable tip spacing electronic pipettes.]()
- MAG modules
-
Streamline magnetic bead purifications
Description Part No. MAG module for magnetic separation 4900 HEATMAG module for heating and magnetic separation 4901 Adapter for 1.5 ml tubes, 4 x 6 format (MAG / HEATMAG) 4905 Adapter for 96 well PCR plate (MAG /HEATMAG) 4906 Adapter and magnetic array for 384 well PCR plate (MAG) 4908 Communication module for MAG modules 4222 Pedestal (+50 mm) 4963 - Heating, Cooling and Shaking Modules
-
Ultimate thermal and shaking control
Description Part No. COLDPLATE for cooling and heating, integration ready 4950 BIOSHAKE 3000 for shaking, integration ready 4951 BIOSHAKE 3000-T for heating and shaking, integration ready 4952 Adapter for flat bottom plate (COLDPLATE / BIOSHAKE) 4953 Adapter for 1.5 ml tubes, 4 x 6 format (COLDPLATE / BIOSHAKE) 4956 Adapter for 2.0 ml screw tubes, 4 x 6 format (COLDPLATE / BIOSHAKE) 4962 Adapter for 96 well PCR plate (COLDPLATE / BIOSHAKE) 4954 Adapter for 384 well PCR plate (COLDPLATE / BIOSHAKE) 4955 Adapter for 2.2 ml deep well plate (COLDPLATE / BIOSHAKE) 4961 Pedestal (+50 mm) 4963 - GRIPTIPS® Pipette Tips
-
Use the GRIPTIPS® Selector Guide to find your pipette tips.
