Fake Forensic Investigation Starring the AutoMate Express™ System

Learn more at www.invitrogen.com/site/us/en/...
A crime television show spoof that features the AutoMate Express™, a robust bench-top system that enables hardworking forensic scientists to maximize downstream STR amplification performance while minimizing the impact of "The Hammer."
The AutoMate Express™ Forensic DNA Extraction System
[Hammer] What's with the lights in here?
[Analysts] Good evening Lt. Hammerstrauss
[Hammer] I told you, call me "The Hammer"; and why aren't you guys using the dramatic forensic halogen we had installed?
[Analysts] Well, we can't process the samples when we can't see what we're doing. This is a lab, not a night club.
[Hammer] Now, that's what I call, working the night shift. So, what are you couple of lab rats working on here?
[Analysts] Are you kidding? We were told we couldn't leave until we finished all these challenging samples from your latest case; remember?
[Hammer] That's right, when the samples get tough, the tough get going.
[Analysts] Let's show you how we plan on getting out of here at a reasonable hour. Well this is the new Applied Biosystems® AutoMate Express™, a robust bench-top system that makes extracting high quality DNA easier than ever.
[Hammer] So, it's easy enough I could use it.
[Analysts] Ah, we didn't say that.
[Hammer] What's this stuff?
[Analysts] These are the PrepFiler Express™ kits; they come with all the reagents and accessories needed to perform DNA isolation on the instrument. The regular Express kit can handle most of our samples and the Express BTA™ kit is especially designed for bone, tooth, or adhesive samples, and those can be a real headache with other methods.
That means we can process all of these samples with only two protocols; and much more efficiently than ever before. Ah, you still with us?
[Hammer] So... what's this?
[Analysts] That's the LySep™ Column; it's a total game changer, now we can perform lysis and substrate removal in a single tube assembly. Before we had to use the spin-basket method, this required multiple supplies and transfer steps. It consumed lots of time and energy and chance for sample mix up or contamination.
[Hammer] Looks like that workflow, was more of a workout.
[Analysts] Yeah, now it's much much simpler. All we have to do is place the PrepFiler Lysep™ buffer and sample substrate into the column for incubation, then we centrifuge. This allows the lysate to flow quickly through the unique burstable membrane while the substrate remains behind in the column. Then we just remove the column and the sample tube is ready to be placed on the AutoMate Express™. To set up the instrument all you have to do is load the pre-sealed cartridges, then load the elution tubes and tips come with each kit.
Once the sample tube is on the instrument you just need to choose the appropriate protocol and we're off!
[Hammer] Sounds like now you can get D-N-A... A-S-A-P.
[Analysts] Ah, I guess you could say that. Certain sample types, like bone and hair used to take us hours, or even days to complete off-line lysis. Now we can do hair in 40 minutes; and bone samples in about 2 hours. And look at the data quality.
[Hammer] Looks good, but how did you get this thing up and running so fast?
[Analysts] This is an Applied Biosystems® platform, so it's designed and validated for our workflow.
[Hammer] Well, since you two obviously have extraction under control, it's time to extract myself from the lab. I'm late for my Pilates class.
[Analysts] Oh.. come on!

[@valtandem]

great acting ;) very cool video!

[@brevnomg]

Great vido