Billerica, Massachusetts — May 31, 2005 — The Allen Institute for Brain Science (AIBS) is approximately halfway through completing the Allen Brain Atlas, a neurogenomics atlas of the mouse brain with cellular resolution. Since nearly 90% of the mouse genome is similar to the human genome, scientists at AIBS anticipate that their work on the mouse brain will advance research into human brain functions, behaviors and diseases. Using gene specific antisense, AIBS utilizes a technique called in situ hybridization to selectively map genes to brain cells expressing the gene, and provides the anatomical brain labeled image of these results to the community via its web site.
Challenged to complete a decade of research in an aggressive three-year plan, AIBS heavily relies on automation and high through-put technologies. In addition to automating the science, AIBS was looking for a reliable water system to meet their ultrapure (Type I) requirements in a cost-effective manner. Millipore custom designed a loop system, which supplies pre-treated water (Type II) to an ultrapure water system that feeds multiple liquid handling robots on demand. The design not only provides a reliable solution but also minimizes the risks associated with contamination.
According to Paul Wohnoutka, associate director of engineering and production support for the Allen Institute for Brain Science, “We chose Millipore’s Elix and Milli-Q Synthesis systems as an easy way to ensure water quality at the point where it’s needed. Furthermore, Millipore clearly demonstrated that their system included the redundancy and fail-safe measures we required. To date, we have not experienced a run failure due to the water system, which could cost thousands of dollars and many hours of lost time. In the midst of building construction, Millipore responded by insuring we had a water system installed and operational on schedule.”
Millipore’s Elix 20 system combines pretreatment, reverse osmosis (RO) and patented electrodeionization purification technologies in a compact design for consistent pure water quality. Analytical-grade water produced by the Elix system meets the specifications for Type II water defined by CAP, ISO 3696/ BS3997 and NCCLS and ASTM. Milli-Q Synthesis systems combine ultraviolet (UV) photo-oxidation and ultrafiltration (UF) technologies in one unit to provide pyrogen- and RNase-free ultrapure water. For more information, please contact Millipore Tech Service at 1-800-MILLIPORE or visit www.millipore.com/H2O.