Automated in situ hybridisation using Tecan robotics: a kick-start for Functional Genomics

High throughput parallel organic synthesis is now a common practice in discovery chemistry research. Argonaut's modular reaction cassette technology is aimed at parallel synthesis of focused small molecule libraries. The Trident™ automated platform has been designed to perform high throughput organic synthesis using this modular reaction cassette under truly inert conditions and in a robust, reproducible manner. This enables one to generate high quality libraries of small molecules and to access chemistry not normally amenable to automation.Recently we have introduced a Sample Processing Station (SPS), which enhances the upstream and downstream sample handling capabilities of the Trident™ platform. Enhanced software capabilities also provide the Trident™ synthesizer with powerful reaction development and optimization capabilities. Application of this technology in the synthesis of a small library of 1,2-diarylbenzimidazoles using solution-phase chemistry is presented. A number of product purification and isolation protocols using polymer-bound scavengers are discussed.