The InsituPro VS fully automates all steps of in situ detection methods, allowing the user to concentrate on new scientific challenges. The InsituPro VS is a flexible platform, helping the users to get results regardless of whether they are working with whole mounts, vibratome sections, organs or tissue sections.
The InsituPro VS performs all operations of the procedure like rehydration, permeation, postfixation, hybridization, antibody incubation as well as all washing steps. In addition, probes and antibodies can be partially recovered. The large work area allows the user to work with up to 19 different buffers without interrupting a run to automate even complex protocols. Two buffer positions are cooled to preserve delicate solutions like antibodies. With four different configurations, the InsituPro VS can be easily customized to suit the userīs needs. Up to 96 whole mounts/vibratome sections or up to 60 slides can be processed in parallel with individual probes or antibodies.
Whole mount preparations and vibratome sections are processed in separate incubation baskets placed in keyhole shaped cavities in the specimen tray. The specimen tray is arranged on top of a thermostatically regulated rack allowing heating or cooling of the specimens. Liquids are removed and added by a unique pipetting mechanism using a dual channel needle. This new architecture allows a very gentle exchange of liquids to successfully process even the most delicate samples.
When doing sections, each slide affixed with thin sections is mounted on a counter slide with a silk-screened spacer to form an independent incubation chamber. Six of these chambers are combined to a slide block, and ten of these blocks are mounted vertically into the heated incubation tub. The design of the incubation tub allows control of temperature and high humidity for optimal performance. Liquid exchange within these vertical slide incubation chambers is driven by gravity flow. Capillary forces assure the sections are always submerged in buffer.
The InsituPro VS is operated by a PC-based software, allowing full control of all parameters. Template protocols are available, allowing easy adoption of the userīs favourite protocols. In addition, a growing collection of protocols from users, optimized for different species and stages are available.
