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In the dynamic field of bioprocess development, early-stage research relies heavily on efficient, miniaturized cultivation systems like microplates (MTPs). While MTPs offer benefits such as high-throughput capabilities and cost-effectiveness, they often present challenges, including inconsistent aeration, significant evaporation, and the risk of cross-contamination.
Introducing the Duetz System – a revolutionary solution designed to overcome these hurdles. This system was originally developed and validated at the Institute of Biotechnology of ETH Zurich by W. A. Duetz et al. (2000) and comprises three essential components:
The system is compatible to a wide range of commercially available MTPs. Also dedicated MTPs tailored for the Duetz system are available. Refer to the “Microplates” tab
This specialized, multi-layered, and reusable cover is central to the Duetz System's functionality. It typically features a silicone layer with small perforations (e.g., 1.5 mm diameter) precisely aligned over each well. Filter layers are incorporated to maintain sterility. The cover is crucial for regulating gas exchange and mitigating evaporation and cross contaminations.
For optimal performance, a robust clamping system is used to firmly secure the sandwich cover onto the microtiter plate. This system applies a vertical force (e.g., approximately 500 N) that uniformly compresses the silicone layer of the cover. This clamping is essential to prevent cross-contamination and to ensure stability of the cover during vigorous shaking.
By integrating these components, the Duetz System delivers significant advantages:
The Duetz System is engineered to provide homogeneous cultivation conditions across all wells. Its unique cover design facilitates optimized and intense aeration, ensuring a consistent oxygen supply critical for aerobic organisms and high cell densities. This enables reproducible cell growth and expression.
Evaporation from MTP wells can significantly alter liquid culture concentrations, impacting experimental results. The Duetz System's specialized cover substantially reduces evaporation, thereby maintaining consistent liquid volumes and concentrations throughout extended cultivations. Reported evaporation rates are very low, such as less than 10 µL per well per day at 25°C in 96-deepwell MTPs. This minimal liquid loss allows for cultivation times of 5-14 days without excessive evaporation.
The system's precisely perforated and clamped cover serves as a physical barrier that effectively prevents aerosol-mediated cross-contamination between adjacent wells, even during vigorous shaking. This design safeguards the integrity of each individual experiment, as confirmed by studies showing no contamination in uninoculated wells flanked by actively growing cultures.
By effectively addressing these critical challenges, the Duetz System empowers researchers to conduct high-throughput, reliable, and reproducible cultivations, making it an indispensable tool for early-stage bioprocess development and screening.
Example and try out setup for cells with lower oxygen demand (e.g. CHO, HEK, plant cells,…) and longer cultivation durations (+4 days) in a detoxified and autoclavable 96-deepwell MTP:
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104099 | Detoxified and flattened polypropylene squared 96-deepwell MTP, round bottom |
104118 | Sandwich cover for all types of 96-deepwell MTPs, low oxygen demand (Ø 0.8 mm), no side pins |
104968 | Clamp for a single set of deepwell MTP and sandwich cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays or clamped in Kuhner MPT trays |
For other examples and try-out setups, please use the following banner to contact us.
Choose the medical-grade polystyrene plates for superior clarity and purity, making them the ultimate solution for sensitive cultures like CHO and HEK cells. These plates are exceptionally transparent and free from interfering leachables, ensuring optimal observation and cell safety. The surface is naturally hydrophilic, promoting a uniform culture film that enhances gas-liquid transfer rates significantly better than standard polypropylene. Delivered sterile via state-of-the-art gamma irradiation, these plates offer immediate and reliable high-throughput workflows.
Choose Polypropylene plates for durability, versatility, and long-term value. Unlike standard options, these plates arrive fully detoxified through acid/alkaline treatment, guaranteeing a contaminant-free environment that supports reliable growth even for small inocula. They are robust and fully autoclavable. To ensure zero cross-contamination, the top surface of every plate is precision-flatten, correcting the natural irregularities of the material to provide a perfect seal. These labor-intensive enhancements deliver a reusable plate that offers the highest level of reproducibility and safety.
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104162 | Pure polystyrene squared 96-half-deepwell MTP, sterilized by gamma irradiation, with cavities for cover side pins (e.g. cover 104120 and 104119). Pack of 16 |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104186 | Pure polystyrene squared 24-deepwell MTP, sterilized by gamma irradiation, with cavities for cover side pins (e.g. cover 104117 and 104116). Pack of 8 |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104178 | Pure polystyrene squared 6-extra-high-deepwell MTP, sterilized by gamma irradiation, pack of 4 |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109722 | Pure polystyrene squared 2-extra-high-deepwell MTP, sterilized by gamma irradiation, pack of 4 |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104110 | Detoxified and flattened polypropylene squared 96-deepwell MTP, round bottom, with cavities for cover side pins. (e.g. cover 104120 and 104119) |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104099 | Detoxified and flattened polypropylene squared 96-deepwell MTP, round bottom |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104111 | Detoxified and flattened polypropylene squared 24-deepwell MTP, pyramid, bottom, with cavities for cover side pins (e.g. cover 104117 and 104116). |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104100 | Detoxified and flattened polypropylene squared 24-deepwell MTP, pyramid bottom |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104188 | Detoxified and flattened polypropylene squared 24-extra-high-deepwell MTP, pyramid bottom |
If you have specific requirements or further questions, please use the following banner to contact us.
Covers designed for cultures with high oxygen demand, such as fast-growing organisms like E. coli or yeast. The sandwich covers feature hole diameters optimized to support their increased oxygen requirements, ensuring sufficient gas exchange while minimizing evaporation during shorter cultivation periods of 1–4 days.
Covers designed for cultures with low oxygen demand, such as slow-growing organisms like mammalian or plant cells. The sandwich covers feature hole diameters optimized to meet their low oxygen needs, ensuring sufficient gas exchange while minimizing evaporation during longer cultivation periods of +4 days.
Side pins made of metal are integrated into the inside of the cover to securely fix the layered system in place. Please note that covers with side pins are not compatible with all microtiter plates — the plates must have corresponding recesses at these positions.
Optimized for automated environments. These reusable and autoclavable covers feature a light weight (~80 g) and stiff carbon-epoxy design with rough sides to ensure secure gripper handling. The flared stainless steel walls accommodate robotic arm misalignment of up to 1 mm, while the angled seal rests securely to prevent rattling during shaking without the strict need for clamps. However, clamps are recommended.
Supplied gamma-irradiated for immediate single-use. Their ultra-lightweight design (~23 g) significantly reduces waste and allows for higher shaker loads, though their flexible structure requires the use of clamps to ensure uniform vertical pressure. Engineered for automation, they feature flared sides to accommodate approximately 1 mm of robotic misalignment and support vertical stacking on deepwell plates while maintaining full airflow.
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104118 | Sandwich cover for all types of 96-deepwell MTPs, low oxygen demand (Ø 0.8 mm), no side pins |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104120 | Sandwich cover for 96-deepwell MTPs 104110/ 104162/ Greiner MTPs, low oxygen demand (Ø 0.8 mm), with side pins |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109738
| Robot friendly sandwich cover for all types of 96-deepwell MTPs, low oxygen demand (Ø 0.8 mm) |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104106 | Sandwich cover for all types of 96-deepwell MTPs, high oxygen demand (Ø 1.5 mm), no side pins |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104119 | Sandwich cover for 96-deepwell MTPs 104110/ 104162/ Greiner MTPs, high oxygen demand (Ø 1.5 mm), with side pins |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109737 | Robot friendly sandwich cover for all types of 96-deepwell MTPs, high oxygen demand (Ø 1.5 mm), clamp not strictly needed |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104115 | Sandwich cover for all types of 24-deepwell MTPs, low oxygen demand (Ø 1.2 mm), no side pins |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104117 |
Sandwich
cover for 24-deepwell MTPs 104111/ 104186, low oxygen demand (Ø 1.2
mm), with side pins |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109043 |
Robot
friendly sandwich cover for all types of 24-deepwell MTPs, low oxygen
demand (Ø 1.2 mm)
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
110674 | Sterile
single-use set including microplate and robot friendly cover: 24-deepwell microplate, low oxygen demand (Ø
1.2 mm), pack of 8
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104098 |
Sandwich
cover for all types of 24-deepwell MTPs, high oxygen demand (Ø 2.5 mm),
no side pins
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104116 |
Sandwich
cover for 24-deepwell MTPs 104111/ 104186, high oxygen demand (Ø
2.5 mm), with side pins
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109042 |
Robot
friendly sandwich cover for all types of 24-deepwell MTPs, high oxygen
demand (Ø 2.5 mm)
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104183 |
Sandwich
cover for 6-deepwell MTP 104178, low oxygen demand (Ø 4 mm), with side
pins
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109041 |
Robot
friendly sandwich cover for 6-deepwell MTP 104178, low oxygen
demand (Ø 4 mm)
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
110683 | Sterile
single-use set including microplate and robot friendly cover: 6-extra-deepwell microplate, low oxygen
demand (Ø 4 mm), pack of 4
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104177 |
Sandwich
cover for 6-deepwell MTP 104178, high oxygen demand (Ø 7 mm), with no
side pins
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109040 |
Robot
friendly sandwich cover for 6-deepwell MTP 104178, high oxygen demand (Ø
7 mm)
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109719 |
Sandwich
cover for 2-deepwell MTP 109722, low oxygen demand (Ø 7 mm), with side
pins
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
109718 |
Sandwich
cover for 6-deepwell MTP 109722, high oxygen demand (Ø 12 mm), with no
side pins
|
If you have specific requirements or further questions, please use the following banner to contact us.
We offer a variety of different clamps compatible with our trays. We sort the clamps by compatibility to either our standard trays (EU, EXU, FU) or our EPFL-tray/table.
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104968 | Clamp for a single set of deepwell MTP and sandwich cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays or clamped in Kuhner MPT trays |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104168 | Clamp for two sets of deepwell MTP and sandwich cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays. |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104196 | Universal clamp for up to 2 sets of (extra-high) deepwell MTPs and sandwich cover. For staking of plates, please contact us. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays. |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
106208 | Universal clamp for two sets of deepwell MTP and sandwich cover in a gastight box to control air supply. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays. |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104167 | Clamp for up to 4 sets of deepwell MTP and sandwich cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays. |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104194 | Clamp for up to 4 sets of extra-high-deepwell MTP and sandwich cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays. |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104170 | Universal clamp for up to 4 sets of (extra-high) deepwell MTPs and sandwich cover. For staking of plates, please contact us. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays. |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
110675 |
Universal
clamp for up to 12 sets of single-use deepwell MTP and
sandwich cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner standard trays. |
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104173 |
Clamp
for up to 4 sets of deepwell MTP and sandwich cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner
EPFL-tray/ table.
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104195 |
Clamp
for up to 4 sets of extra-high-deepwell MTP and sandwich cover.
Can be screwed on Kuhner EPFL-tray/ table.
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104197 |
Clamp
for up to 4 sets of extra-high-deepwell MTPs and sandwich cover.
For staking of plates, please contact us. Can be screwed on Kuhner EPFL-tray/
table.
|
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
110684 |
Clamp
for up to 12 sets of single-use deepwell MTP and sandwich
cover. Can be screwed on Kuhner EPFL-tray/ table.
|
If you have specific requirements (e.g. you want to stake multiple plates) or further questions, please use the following banner to contact us.
Order number | Description |
|---|---|
104107 |
20x blue microfiber filter inlay for all types of |
104108 |
20x green ePTFE filter inlay for all types of |
104132 | 20x blue microfiber filter inlay for 104102 and 104129 covers for Corning MTPs |
104133 | 20x green ePTFE filter inlay for 104102 and 104129 covers for Corning MTPs |
104113 | 20x blue microfiber filter inlay for 104101 |
104109 | 20x green ePTFE filter inlay for 104101 |
104134 |
5x Replacement spongy silicone seal, 2.5 mm holes for sandwich cover |
104135 |
5x Replacement spongy silicone seal, 1.2 mm holes for sandwich |
104136 |
5x Replacement solid silicone seal, 2.5 mm holes, for |
104137 |
5x Replacement solid silicone seal, 1.2 mm holes, for |
104138 |
5x Replacement solid silicone seal, 2.5 mm holes, for |
104139 |
5x Replacement solid silicone seal, 1.2 mm holes, for |
104140 |
5x Replacement spongy silicone seal, 1.2 mm holes, for |
104141 |
5x Replacement spongy silicone seal for sandwich cover for |
104142 |
5x Replacement solid silicone seal for sandwich cover for |
104143 |
Stainless steel foil with pinholes for sandwich cover for |
104144 |
5x Replacement spongy silicone seal for sandwich cover for |
104145 |
5x Replacement solid silicone seal for sandwich cover for |
104146 |
5x Replacement silicone seal for sandwich cover for |
104147 |
Stainless steel foil with pinholes for sandwich cover for |
104148
|
5x Replacement spongy silicone seal for universal sandwich cover for 6 lowwell MTP |
104149 |
5x Replacement spongy silicone seal, 1.2 mm holes for |
In our Science Room, we provide general information and data on cultivation processes in Shaken bioreactors.
Does our existing range of products not meet your requirements? Do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We would love to hear more about your distinct application. Tailor-made solutions are our business. We will work with you to create an optimal solution for your shaking machine or shaken bioreactor system (OSB).
Do you have an unconventional or unique shaking vessel? Send us a prototype of your vessel and we will develop a suitable clamp. Would you prefer to combine your measuring system with one of our shakers? Do you require a shaking machine with an unconventional feature? We can adapt our shakers to fit your needs.
Each of our customized solutions is specifically adapted to the user's request. Our Kuhner Atelier team provides the expertise and advice to find the optimal solution for each customer and will happily address any questions or technical issues.
If you have any questions regarding our customized solutions or products in general, please contact us: atelier@kuhner.com
GMP production processes often are subject to rigorous safety and process regulations requiring redundant external temperature, humidity, or CO2 monitoring in incubator shakers. To address such requirements, our Kuhner Atelier department has developed a customized solution which incorporates additional sensors monitored by the user's process software.
On the pictures you see an example of a customized solution for redundant temperature monitoring in the ISF1-Z incubator shaker: several magnetic holders are implemented for additional temperature sensors at different locations in the system.
The ISF1-Z Basic Beluga – once a customized project, now one of our regular products – was specifically designed for automation and robotic systems. The lowered shaking platform gives more interior headspace, allowing for a robotic arm to reach into the chamber and grab any vessel from the shaking tray. The ISF1-Z Basic Beluga can be integrated into many areas of automation, such as screening for an optimal cell line, media development, or analytical applications.
The pin-clamps are ideal for cleanrooms and areas where sticky mats or other standard clamps are unsuitable. The clamps have been designed for easy cleaning and efficient handling of samples. Made of stainless-steel pins and aluminum bottom plates, they are compatible with all Kuhner universal trays. A replaceable rubber cover prevents the bottles from rotating in the clamp. The shaking speed is limited to 180 rpm at 50 mm shaking diameter. The pin-clamps are available for 125 mL, 250 mL, and 500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, as well as 500 mL and 1000 mL Schott laboratory bottles.
Do you perform biological cultivations in a comparatively large-sized, a custom-made, or an unconventional shaking vessel? And would you like to obtain online monitoring data to gain a better understanding of your bioprocess?
Kuhner offers customized caps to connect all types and sizes of shaken cultivation vessels to the Kuhner TOM online monitoring system. This enables the customer to monitor online respiration and metabolic activity of microbial and cell cultures in these vessels as well.
For instance, Kuhner has designed a customized Kuhner TOM cap for Thomson Optimum Growth Flasks which are routinely used for cell culture processes. This Kuhner TOM cap works for the 1.6 L, 2.8 L, and 5 L Thomson flasks. The three ports of the cap are for gas inlet, outlet to the sensors, and pressure equilibration (port without tube). The Thomson-Cap is reusable by autoclaving at temperatures up to 121°C without losing its mechanical performance.
