Firefly - Liquid Handling System
Innovative all-in-one liquid handling brings together multiple technologies within a single compact design for more efficient library and sample preparation workflows and maximum output. Underpinned by powerful, intuitive software, firefly unlocks the potential of automation for all to accelerate genomic research.
All-in-one
firefly simplifies your genomic liquid handling workflows, combining pipetting, dispensing, incubating, and shaking technologies within an ingenious all-in-one solution.
Compact design
firefly`s compact, streamlined design makes intelligent use of precious laboratory footprint, allowing you to do more genomics research with less space. The best things do come in small packages.
Peer-to-peer
firefly connects researchers and inspires bigger breakthroughs through a first-in-class peer-to-peer cloud-based network. Share custom protocols and swiftly access validated tools to deepen collaboration and accelerate
innovation.
Intuitive, powerful software
firefly sets a new standard in powerful liquid handling software. Its intuitive interface unlocks the potential of automation for all, putting you in control of your workflows without the need for complex programming.
Boost efficiency and flexibility with novel dispensing technology
firefly harnesses novel dispensing technology to minimize tip use, reduce reagent dead volumes and miniaturize protocols allowing you to maximize your research output. Use 3 or 6 dragonfly tip options in any combination for ultimate dispensing speed and flexibility.
Accurate and precise pipetting for genomics research
firefly delivers highly accurate and precise air displacement pipetting in the 0.5 ul to 125 uL range accommodating a variety of 96 or 384 well plate formats. Automated tip loading streamlines time consuming processes and flexible column loading makes it easier for researchers to manage partial plates or partitioning of plates.
Setting a new standard for software
firefly sets a new standard in liquid handling software, simplifying automated workflows with a highly accessible user interface, log-in access control, and presumptive ‘intelligence’. The ability to author on any PC maximizes efficiency when in the lab, while full version management ensures a complete audit trail.
Streamline and accelerate NGS-driven Laboratory Developed Tests
Create more efficient and streamlined LDT workflows by automating repetitive and menial liquid handling tasks. With its versatility, intuitive software and dedicated service and support team, firefly allows you to work confidently at a higher throughput, reduce turnaround times and get results to patients faster.
Our liquid handling portfolio provides you with accurate and repeatable nanolitre to microlitre pipetting and dispensing, every time, irrespective of liquid viscosity or environmental conditions.
We harness innovative technology to streamline workflows and accelerate research. Robust, reliable, and easy to use, our products overcome tough technical challenges and enable researchers to focus on the best science.
Our Technology
System architecture
firefly features a 384 pipetting module and 3 or 6 dispense heads to provide flexible high performance approaches to a range of applications such as NGS library prep and PCR set up. An ingenious 2 tier moving deck system with an additional sub-deck layer for accessories packs a lot of capability into a very small footprint.
Pipetting head operates in several configurations: 384, 96, columns of 16 (384 format) and 8 (96 format) from 0.5uL to 125uL. Utilizes robust and proven air displacement technology with disposable tips and a range of tip types including gamma irradiated and filtered options.
Dispense heads provide either 3 or 6 positive displacement syringes for non-contact, liquid agnostic reagent dispensing. Syringes can operate completely independently for multiple reagent dispensing or in parallel (any combination) for speed.
The gripper module works in combination with the pipetting head and can move labware between the decks and sub-deck levels.
Optional application accessories provide greater walk-away capability with options for magnetic plates, cooling and heating tiles, and shakers.
The safety enclosure protects users from moving parts while protecting samples and reagents from airborne contaminants. A large interlocked door provides safe and easy access to load the system.
World class user interface
firefly sets a new standard in genomics liquid handling software with easy accessible user interface, secure log-in and audit trails, multiple user levels and intelligent programming. With cloud-based sharing and the ability to author on any PC, firefly software makes automation accessible to any lab user.
The graphical interface is extremely intuitive and accessible to users of all levels. Researcher scan quickly build new protocols on any Windows PC or compatible device, even in the coffee shop! Simple drag and drop enables easy protocol set up with accessible extended features for fine tuning by advanced users. Protocols can also be locked down and tailored to provide the simplest set up for any user with clear running instructions to make the system truly accessible to anyone in the lab. Powerful audit trails and user access also ensure that methods are protected and provide tools to aid compliance in regulated environments.
firefly can be programmed and protocols executed at the instrument through the integrated tablet. The software can also be installed on external Windows-based devices to enable protocol writing away from the system. Easily share protocols with the instrument via the cloud connection, network or even a USB stick providing ultimate flexibility and convenience.
firefly software provides cloud access to a user community enabling the sharing of protocols between users and access to SPT labtech validated protocols and tools.
Pipetting head
The pipetting head has a 384 core capable of parallel pipetting up to 384 individual samples between 0.5uL and 125uL. Disposable tips are available in other formats to support working in both 384 and 96 well labware.
Tip formats
- 384 standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.
- 96 standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.
- 8 strips (96 format) standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.
- 16 strips (384 format) standard, gamma irradiated, filtered and gamma irradiated; 125uL and 50uL.
Strip tips enable users to work with partial plates or across plates to facilitate processes such as serial dilutions.
Dispensing module
The system is equipped with either 3 or 6 dispensing heads which can be synchronized for high throughput or controlled independently for reagent flexibility.
True positive displacement disposable syringes provide liquid class agnostic non-contact dispensing of volumes from 200nL to 4mL. Each syringe can be used as a 4mL reservoir to multi-dispense smaller volumes, dispensing to a whole 96 well plate in as little as 30 seconds.
The non-contact dispensing mechanism enables tips to be used for multiple operations per reagent and dramatically reduces tip consumption versus standard pipetting approaches. No calibration, cleaning, or maintenance is required and there is zero chance of blocking or clogging.
Gripper Module
The pipetting head includes a gripper module capable of moving labware between the deck and sub deck layers and moving labware on and off functional modules such as shakers and heater/cooler plates as well as magnetic blocks.
The gripper can move certain accessories such as incubation adaptor plates, so a microplate being maintained below deck on a heater/cooler plate can be moved to deck on its adaptor plate to maintain temperature whilst on the deck for pipetting or dispensing, before being returned to the heater/cooler to return to active temperature control.
The gripper is capable of moving labware with pipette tips in place for increased workflow efficiency, alternatively tips can be removed before working with the gripper. It moves in tandem with the pipetting head in terms of Y and Z movement as well as having a further Z motion so that it can reach down below the pipette tips to grip labware. The grip mechanism can be trained to pick and place a wide variety of ANSI/SBS labware.
firefly+
firefly+ expands on the current liquid handling capabilities of firefly with an integrated thermocycler and additional labware capability, all while maintaining our commitment to usability and compact design.?firefly+ grants genomics researchers the ability to run completely automated NGS library preparation, giving even more time for critical thinking tasks like data analysis and experiment design.
- Instrument variants: firefly genomics 3 head
- firefly genomics 6 head
- firefly 3 head
- firefly 6 head
- Pipetting module: 384 pipetting core capable of loading 384, 96 or columns of 8 (96 format) or 16 (384 format)
- Pipetting range and performance: 0.5uL to 125uL, <3%* cv at 1uL and above; +/- 2%* error at 1uL and above *Based on QC performance checks using aqueous reagents and specific microplates
- Particle sizes: less than 0.032” diameter to prevent tip blockage
- 384 tip format: Options of 50uL and 125uL gamma irradiated and non-gamma irradiated tips
- Filtered tips available in 35uL and 100uL
- Strips of 16 tips for 50uL and 125uL non-filtered, 35uL and 100uL filtered.
- 96 tip format: Options of 50uL and 125uL gamma irradiated tips
- Filtered tips available in 35uL and 100uL
- Strips of 8 tips for 50uL and 125uL non-filtered, 35uL and 100uL filtered.
- Gripper Module: Compatible with most SBS/ANSI labware
- Dispense Module: Choose from 3 or 6 independent positive displacement dispense heads
- Dispense volume range: 200nL to 4mL
- Bulk dispense speed starting from: 30 seconds per 96 well plate
- Dead volume: 75 or 240 µL recoverable dead volume, depending on reservoir type
- Reservoir options: Standard and low dead volume disposable troughs
- Primary SBS/ANSI plate formats: 96, 384 and 1536* well labware including deepwell blocks and 96 format tubes up to 45mm in height. (*1536 is compatible with dispensing module and a limited range of pipetting options):
- Optional accessories:
- Microplate cooler/heater block
- Microplate shaker
- Microplate cooler/heater/shaker
- Dispense module reagent cooler/heater
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 670mm x 570mm x 800mm
- Weight: 120Kg