Metrolab Blog

BioTek Technologies: AMX Automated Media Exchange

Spheroidal 3D cell culture is increasingly common for many research areas as it better mimics the in vivo environment. It can be challenging to perform media exchanges and washes without accidental cell structure loss.

BioTek’s patent-pending AMX™ module for the MultiFlo™ FX enables gentle automated media exchange to protect and encourage proliferation of spheroids, tumoroids and other 3D cell structures, 2D and suspension cells in microplate-based assays The AMX module uses both peristaltic pumps, one to dispense and one to aspirate media from the plate wells.

The software operates the pumps slowly and gently so cells and cell structures aren’t disturbed during the media exchange, and the x-y-z positions for the aspirate and dispense tubes are adjustable to avoid contact, etc with cell structures in the wells.

MultiFlo FX

The two peristaltic pumps and software control the media flow through the cassette tubing and manifolds into the microplate.
The arrows indicate the flow pattern.

dispense tubes (left) and aspirate tubes (right)

Close-up views show the critical positioning of the dispense tubes (left) and aspirate tubes (right) during media exchanges.

AMX Benefits:

  • Automates media exchange for spheroids, tumoroids and other 3D cell structures, 2D and other cell structures
  • Helps protect cells and encourage cell structure growth
  • AMX module can be added to MultiFlo FX and easily exchanged with other modules for workflow versatility

Application Notes:

Automated Media Exchange for Spheroid Cultures Using a Novel MultiFlo™ FX Accessory

All rights reserved to BioTek Inst. USA.