1. What type of tasks can I perform?
CompacT SelecT automates the standard manual cell culture processes in T-flasks such as seeding, media change, trypsinisation for subculture and expansion as well as harvesting for output of cell suspensions or seeding into plates. It also enables timed media changes in plates.

CompacT SelecT is now available with new options to enable the culturing of complex cell lines for oncology programmes, stem cell research and toxicity studies.

For more information on the new CompacT SelecT options and advanced functionality:

Take the interactive CompacT SelecT 'New Functionality Tour'

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2. Which flask types are compatible with the system?
CompacT SelecT is designed to work with standard off-the-shelf consumable items, in order to minimise operating costs. The system works with bar coded versions of the standard T-175 format flasks (including multi layer configurations) from the three major suppliers – Corning, BD and Nunc.

For more details on the new CompacT SelecT options and functionality

Request the new CompacT SelecT options datasheet

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3. Can I use standard and 'insert well' plates on the system?
CompacT SelecT works with the range of standard 24- and 96- ‘insert well’ plates from the major suppliers (eg Millipore, BD Falcon, and Corning). It is also compatible with all standard 384-, 96-, 24- and 6-well plates.

The system has a specially designed incubator to accommodate a mix of standard plate and insert well plates of varying heights. This versatile approach means scientists can use the system to fully automate applications that require labour intensive feeding regimes after seeding cells in plates, including preparation and maintenance of cells for transport assays, cell based assays. The system is also suitable for media changes in stem cells cultures.

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4. Which cell lines can I use on the system?
Most adherent mammalian cell lines can be easily grown in CompacT – from standard stable cell lines such as HEK and CHO , cells for transport assays (eg Caco-2 and MDCK) and stem cells. The system has also been successfully used for static culture of certain suspension and semi-adherent cell lines.

All the robot moves are pre programmed and optimised for aseptic processing – you only need to set up the cell culture parameters, such as media type or volume, to suit your particular cell line.

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5. Do I need to change my processes?
As CompacT SelecT mimics typical, manual cell culture processes – from incubation, feeding, splitting, cell counting as well as plating – you will not need to make many changes to your existing processes to transfer cells onto the system.

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6. Can I manage multiple cell lines in parallel?
Yes. The system can manage multiple different cell lines at the same time. The software schedules the tasks required to run each batch, and the user interface shows you when these will occur. If changes or alterations to the schedule need to be made the tasks can be simply rescheduled by ‘dragging’ them to a new time. With the integrated confluence measuring option, the system can automatically adjust schedules to adapt to cell growth rate.

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7. What about the quality of the cells/outputs?
TAP has led the way in automating mammalian cell culture since 1989. Our customers often see an improvement in the quality of the cells because of the consistent and reproducible way they are processed. Robots provide a much greater degree of control over the process than is possible with manual cell culture (robots don't get bored or tired!).

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8. How does it maintain aseptic conditions?
All processing takes place in a negative pressure, HEPA filtered laminar airflow environment, which provides the equivalent of a Class II microbiological safety cabinet. The system uses sterile disposable flasks and sterile disposable pipettes, which are used to transfer cultures between flasks. All bulk media is delivered using peristaltic pumps and non contact dispensing.

CompacT SelecT is one of a range of automated cell culture systems developed by TAP over the last two decades. The many systems in operation have processed millions of samples over the years without causing contamination.

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9. How does it perform plate-based media changes?
CompacT SelecT incorporates TAP’s innovative plate processing technology which enables the system to aspirate and dispense into 6, 24, 96 and 384 well plate formats, without the need to change either the aspirate or dispense tips. Users can control the speed and position of both aspirate and dispense tips so ensuring media changes are performed as gently as possible to minimise damage to cells.

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10. Is the programming software easy to use?
Yes. TAP has designed the user interface in conjunction with experienced cell culture scientists. This ensures that it is easy to set up protocols, monitor progress and view the media and consumables usage, without being an automation expert.
The software is dedicated to cell culture so that the only parameters that need to be adjusted are those relating to the process.

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11. Can the system run unattended, overnight and at weekends?
Yes. The system is designed to work largely unattended, including regular operation out of normal working hours such as during evenings and weekends. Linked sequences of protocols, such a cell line maintenance, can be set up in advance and can run for weeks without the need for further intervention (apart from providing fresh media and consumables as required).

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12. How much space do I need?
The system is extremely space efficient for the amount of work that it can do, being only slightly larger than a tissue culture hood. For planning your laboratory, the footprint is 2.8 m x 1.1 m and has been designed so that the back of the system be positioned against a wall with only front access required for user interaction and maintenance.

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13. If I ordered tomorrow, when could I be up and running?
The current lead time between receiving your purchase order and having the system installed in your laboratory is around 6 months, including shipping. Installation, testing and training is usually completed within 3 weeks and at the end of this period the first cell culture protocols are running. Additional applications support is available to assist with further optimisation and to help users to maximise the productivity of the system.

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14. What training and support is available?
The installation process includes operator and maintenance training, as well as an additional applications support for protocol development. Once installed, TAP provide telephone and email support and have a team of engineers based in the US and Europe available to repair systems on site if required. Also available are advanced operator and maintenance training programmes, or even fully trained on-site engineer responsible for maintaining the system.

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