Encore Synthesizer

Simple and affordable personal chemist's tools for directed split-and-pool
combinatorial solid phase synthesis on Lanterns


 

ENCORE

Encoding by Necklace, Color and Reaction vessel

Encore Technology combines three different coding techniques:

 

Color Tag
Encodes the 2nd building block
 
 

Position on a Necklace
Encodes the 1st building block
 
 
 

Reaction vessel
Encodes the 3rd building block

 

THE ENCORE CONCEPT

The Encore Technology represents a novel method for tracking the chemical history of a combinatorial synthesis based on a combination of three different coding techniques. One dimensional (necklace) coding is employed for the first combinatorial step, color coding for the second step, and reaction vessel coding in the third combinatorial step. Consequently, the name for this method, the Encore method, reflects Encoding by a Necklace, Color, and Reaction vessel. Five simple tools were designed that allow to routinely apply the Encore Concept in a chemical laboratory.

The Arraying Tool

 

The Arraying Tool arranges 96 random Lanterns from one reaction vessel after the first combinatorial step (all lanterns are identical) into a two-dimensional array of 8 rows and 12 columns.  The tool has a footprint of a standard 96-well plate.

The Magazine

 

The magazine is a polyethylene block with 96 shafts. Each shaft accommodates up to 10 Lanterns. Magazine collects Lanterns into 96 shafts in predetermined sequence and serves two functions: (i) arrangement of Lanterns for transfer into reaction vessels by the Lapis tool and (ii) arrangement of Lanterns for final distribution into cleavage plates.

The Lapis Tool

 

Lantern Picking and Stringing (Lapis) Tool is used to pick Lanterns from the Magazine while preserving the sequence of Lanterns (principle of necklace coding). Loaded Lapis tools are placed into reaction vessels. Lapis tool is made of stainless steel and polyethylene and therefore it is compatible with a wide variety of solvents, reagents, and reaction conditions.


 

Reaction vessel loaded with 8 Lapis tools, 10 Lanterns on one Lapis tool

The Dispensing Tool

 

After finishing the combinatorial synthesis Lanterns are distributed into 96-well plates (one Lantern per well) using the Lantern dispensing tool. The Lantern dispensing tool allows moving one “layer” of Lanterns (i.e. 96 Lanterns) from the Magazine into the 96-well plate.

The Leveling Tool

 

In order to ensure reliable distribution of Lanterns into cleavage plates, Lanterns are stacked tightly in shafts using the Leveling tool.