More Than a Reagent Dispenser
Assay Development and Design of Experiment (DoE)
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) - Library Preparation
Polymerase Chain-reaction (PCR) Workflows - Real-time and Digital
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA)
Cell Culture and Bead-Based Assays
While traditional hand-held pipettes, or larger automated liquid handlers greatly deteriorate in accuracy and precision below 2 µL volumes, the MANTIS® automated liquid handler prevails in Efficiency, Reproducibility and Versatility.
Benefits:
- Efficient: Miniaturize
reactions, scale-up through-put, save on reagents and remove pipette tip cost. - Reproducible: Dispense volumes down to 100nL at CV < 3%
- Versatile: Easily dispense and normalize reagents and cell culture assays
Overview of the MANTIS®
The MANTIS automated liquid handler is the easy and affordable solution to quickly increase the reproducibility and quality of your research as well as throughput and efficiency of your laboratory. The diaphragm-based chip design is liquid class compatible, easily dispensing aqueous and organic solutions. Additionally, the MANTIS will dispense in any SBS template from 6 to 1536 well plates, and can be easily programmed to dispense to custom designs as needed.
| Key Features | |
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Enhance Laboratory Efficiency
Efficient research means that reagent dead volumes, tip consumption, and reaction volumes are minimized.
The MANTIS liquid handler dispenses volumes from 100 nL to 100s of mL allowing researchers to commonly run 2-5 µL reaction volumes in genomics and screening workflows.
To minimize dead volume, reagents plug directly into the microfluidic chip. Dead volumes are further reduced to just 6 μL by using pipette tips as reagent reservoirs, making the Mantis ideal for dispensing even the most precious reagents.
“[The MANTIS] allows for miniaturized assay development specially for when reagents are expensive and small quantity. user interface is relatively easy to use to program methods. reliable in terms of reproducibility of results “
Dave Solis
Pfizer
Normalize your assay plate, quickly and easily
- Software calculates the normalization values.
- The Continuous Flow (CF) chip bulk dispenses at >600 µL/sec, therefore, quickly normalizing each sample tube, well and plate
“… using MANTIS, I recently performed a high-throughput qPCR-based drug screen in stem cell derived retinal cells and acquired reliable data with homogeneity, precision, and faster dispensing. The instrument is user-friendly and has easily paid for itself in the savings associated with both expensive reagents and tip consumption in our lab. The MANTIS is an essential tool for any lab that wishes to perform the most efficient and reproducible genetic analysis”
Srinivas R. Sripathi
Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Highly Reproducible Data
Since liquid handling imprecision impacts experimental reproducibility, researchers consider CVs to be a vital factor when considering the automation of their research.
At the core of the MANTIS' microfluidic dispensing chip is a valve cluster that measures and dispenses discrete volumes of liquid. This valve cluster has two micro-diaphragms (select either 100 nL and 500 nL or 1 μL and 5 μL) that can fill and dispense as rapidly as 10 times per second.
* = The coefficient of variation (CV) is the average of three independent microfluidic Chip readings.
"...[The Mantis liquid handler] helps us minimizes variation in sample prep. It is the most economical way to for us to reliably dispense sub-microliter volumes to each of our wells and help minimize our volumes..."
Ed Emmott
Northeastern University
Versatility for any and all labs
The MANTIS dispenses any reagent efficiently and reproducibly regardless of volume, viscosity, temperature, concentration, and research experience. It is no wonder that every year, more and more researchers discover and obtain the MANTIS for dispensing reagents as a part of their diverse set of scientific workflows.
Miniaturize your cDNA synthesis and library preparation reactions, even with limited starting material.
Gentle and even distribution of suspension, adherent and 3D cell cultures
Enhance the cost-effectiveness
of any qPCR plate preparation workflow.
Simplify the evolution from assay design to drug discovery.
Maximize biomarker assay performance and minimize cost by reducing dead volume and reaction volumes without sacrificing the quality of experimental results.
Resources
Using the MANTIS® Liquid Handler to generate high quality single-cell RNA-seq data with Smart-seq3
In this application note, we will demonstrate the key steps where the MANTIS can be implemented in the library preparation workflow.
Utilising the MANTIS® dispenser from FORMULATRIX® for automated, reproducible HLA antibody screening in organ transplantation
The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system is a gene complex in humans that encodes for histocompatibility proteins and are part of the adaptive immune system. Important in disease defence they also play a large role in organ transplants, a donor organ with HLA markers which more closely match those of the recipient will have a lower chance of being rejected than an organ with fewer matching alleles.
At the Laboratory of Medical Immunology (LMI) in Radboud University Medical Centre based in the city of Nijmegen in the Netherlands, sera from potential organ recipients must be screened for HLA specific antibodies at regular time intervals. Detection of antibodies directed against HLA is necessary to avoid hyperacute rejection of a donor organ.
In this investigation the MANTIS® Dispenser from FORMULATRIX® was used to complete a critical step in the HLA workflow; the addition of lymphocytes into prepared Terasaki trays.
Also view the virtual demo on the MANTIS, Why is the MANTIS is a good choice of instrument for labs performing Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) work
Miniaturization of Nextera XT Library Preparation for RNA-sequencing of Murine Neuronal Cell cDNA Samples using the MANTIS® Liquid Handler
This application note highlights a workflow for generating high-quality NGS libraries, even from low cellular input, through precise positive displacement microfluidic reagent dispensing.
Scaling up Organoid Cultures using MANTIS® Liquid Handler: A Case Study with MIT
Organoids allow researchers to study tissue biology with remarkable fidelity.
Development of An HTRF® Assay For The Detection of Hepatitis B Antigen
This presentation describes the development of an HTRF® assay for the detection of Hepatitis B “e” antigen (HBeAg) recombinant protein in partnership [between cisbio and] FORMULATRIX® using the MANTIS® Liquid Handler.
An Assessment of the Volumetric Performance of the MANTIS® Liquid Handler Using the Artel MVS® Multichannel Verification System
FORMULATRIX® and Artel present this application note in order to showcase the precision of the MANTIS® Liquid Handler, a novel solution designed to supplement traditional liquid handling platforms. By implementing the MANTIS, researchers can increase experimental reproducibility in genomics workflows that involve dispensing small volumes of valuable reagents with a high degree of precision.
Rapid, Accurate and Flexible DNA Quantitation Using the QuantiFluor® dsDNA System on the MANTIS® Liquid Handler
Fluorescent dye-based quantitation systems are recommended for advanced downstream applications because of their sensitivity, target selectivity, cost, and ease of use. The QuantiFluor® dsDNA System can be used for quantitating dsDNA in single tubes as well as 96- and 384-well plates. Accuracy during repetitive pipetting of small volumes can be difficult and labor intensive with many opportunities for error and costly re-work. The MANTIS® Liquid Handler is a novel bench-top liquid handler that can meet many requirements for high-throughput reagent dispensing at a fraction of the cost of larger systems. For nucleic acid quantitation, the MANTIS accurately dispenses small volumes of the QuantiFluor® Dye working solution for reproducible quantitation results. In this application note, we demonstrate the compatibility of the MANTIS to quickly and accurately automate reagent handling of the QuantiFluor® dsDNA System for both 96- and 384-well plate formats.
Cell dispensing in a high-content, primary neuron based, screening platform using the Mantis Liquid Handler
The Scripps Research Institute uses the Mantis as a precise, reliable, and robust solution for dispensing even the most sensitive primary neuronal cells in the generation of a high content screening platform.
Automated Processing of the GlobalFiler® Express PCR Amplification Kit With the Formulatrix Mantis
This application note describes the use of the Mantis to dispense the Global Filer® Express Kit master mix to the amplification plate with treated buccal punches present.
Generalisable, automated Design of Experiments execution for multifactorial media optimisation
A generalisable DoE process combining the execution planning and data management capabilities of the Antha software (Synthace Ltd) with the high-speed, automated MANTIS® liquid dispenser (FORMULATRIX®). Specifically, the work demonstrates a 12-factor DoE to optimise growth media for the production of eGFP. The process demonstrated achieves better statistical significance in the respective experiments, fewer errors, more streamlined data processing, less hands-on time and greater speed to scientific insight.
Automation and Miniaturization of Low-Input RNA-SeqSample Prep Using Desktop Microfluidics
Miniaturization and scale-down of reagent and reaction volumes for low-inputRNA-Seq work flows enables researchers to work with low sample input and increased number sof samples. As the reaction volumes are reduced, accurate delivery of reagent volumes emerges as a critical step to maintain data quality and technical reproducibility.
We present results from miniaturization of the ClontechSMART-Seq® v4 Ultra® Low Input RNA Kit for Sequencing and Illumina Nextera® XT workflows for generation of high-qualityRNA-Seq samples using a compact desktop microfluidic dispensing technology.
High Throughput Large Scale Genotyping in Soybean Utilizing Novel Microfluidic Reagent Dispensing Technology
Recent advances in DNA marker/QTL (gene) discovery and marker detection technology have great impacts on crop improvement through marker-assisted selection. To discover and deploy the DNA markers in plant breeding programs, establishing low cost, high throughput, large scale and reliable and flexible marker genotyping platform is one of key factors. Implementing high-throughput workflows for SNP genotyping platforms such as TaqMan and KASP assays requires accurate dispensing of assay master mixes and reagents. Speed and accuracy are critical factors to achieve the desired assay performance while utilizing a workflow that minimizes reagent utilization to allow for large-scale studies.
Assuring Optimal Promega Assays Development by Design of Experiment Workflow and Mantis Dispenser
To facilitate assay development we employ a Design of Experiment approach during assay development. Design of Experiments (DoE) offers a systematic way of simultaneously evaluating multiple assay parameters and analyzing the resulting process outputs to optimize assay conditions with a minimum number of experiments
Planning massively combinatorial phenotypic assays.
The complexity of combinatorial screens explodes as the number of reagents increases. This talk addresses the challenges of planning experiments with up to 50 individually dispensed ingredients per well. The heart of our system is a new software package that automates the planning of complex liquid handling operations. We demonstrate combinatorial assays on the MANTIS can detect metabolic interactions in bacteria with complex growth requirements.
MANTIS Demonstration - Utilising the MANTIS in the newly published SmartSeqv3 protocol for improved single-cell RNA Sequencing.
Michael Hagemann-Jensen from the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, will present insights into the newly published Smart-seq3 for single cell RNA analysis. We will demonstrate how the Mantis from Formulatrix can be used to automate steps in the protocol to reduce working volumes and lower costs.
A Generalisable, Automated Process For Multifactorial Media Optimisation
FORMULATRIX® and Synthace partner to host a webinar to describe and explain the findings of their recent work. Our two key speakers were Dan Lord and Markus Gershater. Dan Lord, applications manager with FORMULATRIX, explained how the MANTIS® can increase your workflow by improving your speed and through-put to produce accurate liquid dispensing capabilities. Also, Markus Gershater, CSO of Synthace, explained how Synthace's lab team had combined the MANTIS with Synthace's software platform Antha, to powerfully and rapidly perform 4 DoE iterations to optimise media. Achieving an 88% time saving compared to manual performance of the same experiment.
A Technique for Scalable Organoid Culture
Organoid models are promising tools for the study of disease and development of new therapeutics. However, conventional organoid plating is labor and reagent intensive. We will present on how we have applied the low-input MANTIS® to automate the plating of organoids, reducing requirements for expensive reagents, making organoid culture amenable to high-throughput applications.
Webinar recorded July 10, 2019. "A Technique for Scalable Organoid Culture" Ben Mead.
Harnessing the Power of SMART-Seq v4
Magnolia Bostick compares sequencing data generated from full and quarter volume reactions prepared with the MANTIS® Liquid Handler.
Webinar recorded May 18, 2016. "Single-Cell RNA-Seq Optimization: Working Smarter with the Mantis." Part 2: Magnolia Bostick.
Optimizing Single-cell RNA-Sequencing Workflows
Using the MANTIS® Liquid Handler from FORMULATRIX, Nathan has been able to analyze enough single-cells to develop a methodology for characterizing 3' bias in RNA-seq libraries. In this webinar clip, Nathan explains that enzyme processivity impacts bias in characteristic and correctable ways. Further, Nathan considers automation, and provides overarching recommendations for Single-Cell RNA-sequencing experimental design.
Webinar recorded April 13, 2017. "Optimizing Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing Workflows"" Part 3: Nathan Archer. PhD.
Monitoring CRISPR Gene Editing with RNA-Seq
Using the MANTIS® Liquid Handler from FORMULATRIX, Dario has been able to develop an efficient and reproducible method for miniaturized cDNA synthesis reactions using the Takara Bio SMART-Seq V4 Ultra Low Input RNA Kit. In this webinar clip, Dario explains how quarter volume cDNA synthesis reactions enable the use of RNA-seq as a general screening tool to monitor genome editing projects.
Webinar recorded April 13, 2017. "Optimizing Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing Workflows" Part 4: Dario Boffelli.
High-throughput Automation of Single-cell Library Prep
The New York Genome Center has implemented quality control approaches that include selective library preparation to enhance the efficiency of their miniaturized single-cell sequencing.
Webinar recorded May 18, 2016. "Single-Cell RNA-Seq Optimization: Working Smarter with the Mantis." Part 3: Rahul Satija.
Miniaturization of AlphaLISA® Immunoassays for HTS
Using the MANTIS® Liquid Handler from FORMULATRIX and the Echo® from Labcyte, Gene has developed an efficient approach to immunoassays that conserves both consumable tip and reagent consumption making high-throughput screening cost-effective, and therefore viable, in an academic setting. In this webinar clip, Gene explains how the Echo and MANTIS Liquid Handlers complement each other for sample and reagent transfers in the context of high-throughput screening.
Webinar recorded October 3, 2017. "Miniaturization of High-throughput Screens for Protein-protein Interactions" Part 3: Gene Ananiev.
Optimizing High-Throughput qPCR Workflows
Using the MANTIS® Liquid Handler from FORMULATRIX® and the Echo® from Labcyte, Sri has increased his lab's throughput to a level sufficient for high content screening of drug candidates. In this webinar clip, Sri explains how the Echo and MANTIS Liquid Handlers complement each other for sample and reagent transfers in the context of high-throughput qPCR. Further, Sri considers the benefits of automation and provides overarching recommendations for qPCR experimental design.
Webinar recorded June 27, 2017. "Optimizing High-Throughput qPCR Workflows." Part 3: Sri Sripathi.
Computer Specifications
- Microsoft Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 10; 32- or 64- bit
- Dual Core x86 or x64 1.5 GHz processor
- 1 built-in USB port (USB 2.0 recommended, USB 3.0 supported)
- 4 GB RAM
- 1 GB Hard Drive space
- 768 pixels vertical minimum screen resolution (900+ pixels recommended)
Electrical Specifications
- 110-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 130 W typical, 100 W max. Standard or European outlet
MANTIS Physical Dimensions
- Width: 350 mm or 13 25/32” (smaller without ACC or reagent holders)
- Height: Full Extension: 232 mm or 9 9/64” (not including pipette tip input)
- Height: No Extension: 192 mm or 7 9/16” (not including pipette tip input)
- Depth: 212 mm or 8 11/32”
- Weight: Approx. 5.2 kg (11.5 lbs)
LC3 Dimensions
- Width: 240 mm or 9 29/64”
- Height: Full Extension: 286 mm or 11 17/64”
- Height: No Carousel: 200 mm or 7 7/8” (including RFID antenna)
- Depth: 240 mm or 9 29/64”
MANTIS with LC3 Dimensions
- Width: 491 mm or 19 21/64” (MANTIS with LC3)
- Height: Full Extension: 286 mm or 11 17/64”
- Depth: 240 mm or 9 29/64”
Christopher Hubbs
Scripps Research Institute
“The Mantis reduces variability allowing for more efficient screen development”
Ed Emmott
Northeastern University
"...[The Mantis liquid handler] helps us minimizes variation in sample prep. It is the most economical way to for us to reliably dispense sub-microliter volumes to each of our wells and help minimize our volumes..."
Dave Solis
Pfizer
allows for miniaturized assay development specially for when reagents are expensive and small quantity. user interface is relatively easy to use to program methods. reliable in terms of reproducibility of results.
Anonymous Review
Clinical-Stage Gene Therapy Company
Before I got this machine, I spent, average 2-3 hours every day, normalizing my samples and mixing the PCR rxns. I can say anyone will agree that it is a very tedious and boring work. Then I happened to find Mantis ad in a corner of the webpage I was searching. I proposed to buy one since things could not be more miserable.
So they came for the demo. I was at first very suspicious for it. Worked in a chemistry lab for several years, I have deal with so many kinds of the pumps and I know how hard it is to keep it both move fast and accurate. Surprisingly, Mantis did very repeatable and fast operations.
So we bought it and now almost six month past. I have made about 700 96 plates using this machine. I kept taking aliquots out for checking the accuracy and I would say so far, it is as good as the first day it came.
I would highly recommend it for you if you need to normalize sample plates a lot. This one works as good as, if not better, than some huge liquid handling system that is hundreds time more expensive.
At least, give it a try.
Srinivas R. Sripathi
Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
When it comes to dispensing quantitative real-time PCR master mix, the MANTIS meets and exceeds every requirement. We have developed protocols for 2 µL qPCR reactions that would just not be feasible without the precise and reliable dispensing of the MANTIS at 1 µL. Using MANTIS, I recently performed a high-throughput qPCR-based drug screen in stem cell derived retinal cells and acquired reliable data with homogeneity, precision, and faster dispensing. The instrument is user-friendly and has easily paid for itself in the savings associated with both expensive reagents and tip consumption in our lab. The MANTIS is an essential tool for any lab that wishes to perform the most efficient and reproducible genetic analysis
Paul Smith
MRC Technology
Invaluable device for setting up complex experiments comprising of several different reagents and assays at the same time. Exceptionally powerful for early assay development.
Wolfgang Breitwieser
Cancer Research UK
Automated liquid dispensing is normally associated with big expensive equipment. Not so the Mantis. It combines speed and accuracy with an extremely small footprint and a relatively decent price tag. For us it has become an integral part of single cell processing and NGS applications. Handling is straight forward and intuitive and even my automation averse lab colleagues love to use it.
Anonymous Review
Major Pharmaceutical Company
The Mantis is a compact, versatile, and convenient liquid handler that allows for the accurate dispense of reagent without the extensive liquid class development and testing needed for most other platforms in the market. The software can be used to very quickly deliver reagents to complicated multi-well plate set-ups, which helps reduce pipetting errors and eliminate ergonomic stress. It is a great option for an assay development lab like ours that is not high throughput and is interested in robotics.
Daniel Tran
Genentech
1. The dispense list can be easily created using excel or text files to define the volume needed in each well.
2. Saves a lot of reagent because it requires very little prime volume
Alex Stowell
CRUK Manchester Institute
The Mantis is like no other liquid handler I’ve ever used. For low throughput, highly complex assays where having very low dead volumes is an absolute must, this machine ticks all those boxes. We have found it very useful for assay development and mechanism of inhibition studies. We also purchased the LC3 (large capacity chip changer) alongside the Mantis to ensure that we would not be restricted by the number of different reagents we could use at any one time. We routinely perform experiments requiring upwards of 10 different reagents so this has been an invaluable addition. The software is incredibly easy to negotiate, is very intuitive and allows you to set up very complicated experiments very easily and quickly. We’re very impressed with this machine.
Sara Dunne
Northwestern University
The Mantis is a small liquid dispenser for 96 or 384 well plates using their patented microfluidic dispensing chips. We use it to set up assays when preparing small numbers of plates, or anytime we are using highly precious reagents that we don't want to waste. With a little care we can get the dead volume down to 10uL. Although it dispenses one well at a time we find that it's speed is sufficient for most assays. And the software is very intuitive and easy to use. We've had it for six months and it has quickly become one of our most popular liquid handlers.
Jennifer McKelvie
UK Cancer Research Technology
The Mantis is an extremely versatile piece of kit which allows you to set up complex assays with minimal hands on time. We are currently using it to set up assay development experiments such as buffer optimisation as well as mode of action studies. We have found that the Mantis dramatically reduces hands on time in the lab, especially when running stopped assays as these can be programmed in and left to run.
Emmy Staples
Life Technologies
This dispenser is small footprint, small investment, and large return. Dispensing small volume reagents to an entire plate at any volume in the working range eliminates human error for manual addition. It also lets you dispense directly from a pipette tip, resulting in saving precious reagents! Highly recommend!
Shouquan Deng
GE Analytical Instruments
this product is very compact and smart. What’s more it can dispense very tiny volume of solution, such as 5µL, into a small channel. All these are very suitable to our products development.
Anonymous Review
Leading Academic Lab
We got a Mantis to dispense cells and reagents in 384-well format. It's been great. We do better experiments now since it is easy to use the Mantis to set up tests of a lot of concentrations. It's been reliable and used regularly for more than two years now. Very glad we have the Mantis.
Anonymous Review
Leading Academic Lab
The Mantis is an ideal instrument for applications that require high precision and accuracy. In my lab, we use the Mantis primarily to add cells and drug treatments to 384-well plates. I find the Mantis to be more accurate when adding cells to 384-well plates than other reagent dispensers. The instrument allows me to easily test different drug concentrations and combinations. Overall, the Mantis has proven to me that it can reduce the background noise of data, and improve the accuracy of my experiments
Bryan Witherbee
Monsanto
I feel compelled to leave a strong recommendation for potential purchasers of the Mantis. We have now implemented the Mantis into our everyday workflow for assay development. The software is easy to use and allows us to quickly set up DOEs with varying concentrations of reagents and direct them to appropriate wells. We have also been extremely efficient in showing the feasibility of smaller volume reactions using the Mantis, with several assays moving from using the higher volume diaphragm to the smaller volume diaphragm and decreasing the size of reaction from 5 µL to 500 nL - at a huge cost savings! Plus money we save from not losing valuable reagents is also a huge plus; the low dead volume alone makes this a great purchase. We give the Mantis our highest recommendation.
Anonymous Review
Major Pharmaceutical Company
The Mantis made an immediate impact in our lab. We support Large Molecule Discovery Research and this device allows us to minituraize assays and speed development. Our favorite features are the disposable chip format which eliminates cross contamination entirely. I strongly reccomend this product based on the value it has provided to our lab.