Retroviruses are useful for genetics studies to deliver genes that express proteins, peptides, and RNAs. Several steps, including DNA preparation, transfection, packaging, transduction, and assay, are required to execute screens using retroviral constructs. Unlike screens with purified components, whole-cell assays using retroviral constructs need a large number of steps with microplate manipulations. The nature of these steps, especially the involvement of cultured mammalian cells, limits the throughput of such screens. To improve the efficiency of genetic experiments with retroviral expression vectors, an automated system for retroviral screening in microplates was devised and tested. The system, called Somata, provides high throughputs and robust, reproducible performance.
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