Contact us so we can help you in determining the best method for homogenizing your samples. We will process your samples in our lab and provide you with insights for your sample prep process.

Any researcher who has had to crack cells by bead beating or vortexer knows the difficulty of processing multiple samples. Basically bead beating is slow and laborious. With many assays taking on the format of a microwell plate, bead beating becomes even more difficult. Sonication is an alternative, though not a good one.

To solve this problem, the GenoGrinder was developed to "bead beat" in the microplate format. The GenoGrinder was originally developed to smash seeds for genetic analysis, but we have demonstrated that it can be applied to the disruption of bacteria and fungi as well. Unlike other bead mills, the GenoGrinder has a perfect vertical stroke that allows the grinding beads to impact the sample and not the walls of the plate. Other bead beaters use the "paint shaker" motion, i.e., a figure "8" motion, which causes the grinding beads to deflect off the well walls causing them to lose energy. The GenoGrinder avoids this problem.

Geno/Grinder 2000
(larger picture)

In our labs we have used the GenoGrinder for smashing seeds for GMO analysis, cracking yeast and fungi, and for the disruption of biofilms cultured in 96-well plates. This mill allows for high throughput as compared to the manual alternative. We actively use and support this product.


Candida sp. before grinding	.	Candida sp. after grinding.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The GenoGrinder is a new laboratory mill specifically designed for vigorous vertical shaking of deep-well plates. It was originally designed to prepare plant tissue for extractions of nucleic acid, protein, and other constituents by shaking the tissue, steel balls and a buffering agent together in each well of a titer plate. The application of this tool can be expanded to include microorganisms when small silica beads are used instead of steal grinding balls. Microbes can be disrupted in standard 96-well plates as opposed to deep well plates.

Sample material that can be prepared includes bacteria, yeasts, molds, seeds, stems, roots, leaves, and certain animal tissue. Because the unique vertical shaking motion of the GenoGrinder is so strong, many seeds and other forms of plant tissue can also be pulverized dry in plates with the help of one or two grinding balls per well.

SAMPLE CONTAINERS

While the GenoGrinder clamp is designed to hold two standard deep-well titer plates, it can adapt to anything of the same general dimensions (5 in. long x 3 in. wide x 2 in. high). This includes any standard microwell plate, racks which hold multiple individual vials, and other possible configurations. The GenoGrinder is supplied with height adjustment spacers of different thickness to accommodate different sample holders with heights up to 2 1/4 inches.

In addition to microwell plates, 24 Well Vial Set are available for the dry grinding of seeds (e.g., corn and soy). This Vial Set System includes racked vials, a 24 pin magnet, and magnet stand/separator. This system allows for the high throughput homogenization of seeds.

24 Well PC Vial Set

24 Pin Magnet for Ball Removal

Pulverized corn via Vial Set

CONTROLS

A digital timer displays both the full timer setting along with the minutes and seconds remaining in the grinding cycle. An adjustable dial allows the operator to set the precise stroke rate between 500 and 2000 strokes per minute.

SAFETY FEATURES

The GenoGrinder cabinet has two safety interlocks, a lockdown latch, and a pneumatic cylinder to stabilize the lid movement. The clamping mechanism latches have secondary locking tabs for additional safety. The GenoGrinder meets European CE directives.

SPECIFICATIONS

SP-2000-115: For 115 V/60 Hz operation.

DIMENSIONS: 20.5" W x 16.9" D x 22" H

WEIGHT: 110 lbs.

MOTOR: 1/2 HP

POWER CORD: 3-prong grounded plug for 115 V/60 Hz version, 2-prong European plug for 230 V/50 Hz version

CLAMP MOVEMENT: 1.25 in. (3.2 cm) vertical

CLAMP SPEED: Adjustable from 500 to 1600 strokes/minute

TIMER: Digital in minutes: seconds, maximum 99:59 (typical running times are under 2 minutes)


PRODUCT AND ACCESSORIES

Description	Price
GenoGrinder 2000 115 volts, 60 hertz	Please Call!
GenoGrinder 2000 230 volts, 50 hertz	Please Call!
Stainless Steel Grinding Balls 5/32" (5mm) - 5000	$410
24 Well Polycarbonate Vial Sets (case of 10 sets)	$240
24 Well HDPE Vial Sets (case of 10 sets)	$195
15 ml PC Vial Sets (5 vials per set/10 sets per case)	$240
24 Pin Magnet	$450
Magnet Stand/Separator	Please Call!
200 micro Zirconium Beads (Acid Washed, Molecular Biology Grade, Low Binding) - 250 g	See Link
400 micron Glass Beads (Acid Washed, Molecular Biology Grade, Low Binding) 200 g	See Link
800 micron Glass Beads (Acid Washed, Molecular Biology Grade, Low Binding) 200 g	See Link

Related Products

High Throughput Homogenizer

Grinding Accessories

Vial Sets for High Throughput Sample Grinding and Homogenization

Grinding Media
Zirconium and silica beads for grinding microbes and cells. Available in molecular biology and low binding grades.