FAQs

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our technology and portfolio.

C-FREE Technology

Curiox C-FREE technology uses the basic principles and design of the Curiox laminar wash technology. The laminar flow process is used to delicately wash cells, while reducing mechanical stress and preventing cell loss. C-FREE technology brings more personalized automation to your lab while supporting the use of standard-format consumables, and enables a wider range of sample types. See the C-FREE technology page to learn more. 

Yes, there is a growing library of protocols for the Pluto system. The Field Application Scientist working with your installation will train you on how to access these as well as any lab-specific script that was created to support your labs specific workflows.

The C-FREE workflow supports up to 500 µL. If a user requires more than this, we recommend performing off-system centrifugation prior to returning to the Pluto system for the remaining workflow. Subsequent reagent addition steps may be performed with laminar mix, eliminating additional long settling times.

Only Curiox branded consumables should be used on the Pluto system. We cannot ensure the precision needed to support the experiment runs with other suppliers’ products. Use of non Curiox consumables will void the system warranty.

Curiox consumables include deep well plates (V-bottom and U-bottom), standard U-bottom plates, pipette tips and more. Visit the Pluto system page to see the full list of compatible consumables.

Due to the complexity and size of the Pluto system, onsite demos cannot be done. We have 3 global locations where you are invited to see the system live. These are in Cambridge, MA, the San Francisco bay area, CA, and Canary Wharf, London, UK. We can also present a virtual demo to you via video call. Contact us for more information. 

One cycle of washing on the Pluto system is equivalent to ~1.5 centrifuge cycles according to the dilution factor. 

Settling typically takes from 20-40 minutes. With a high number of cells in 50 µL, it takes between 20-30 minutes. During this time, the cells are also staining (ex. with live/dead) or blocking. The cells do not get resuspended during the rest of the workflow so incubation times line up with SOP incubation times. 

Protocol run times vary based upon sample time and may take longer than your conventional protocol does. Note that the workflows specified below are for the Pluto LT system and supports total walkaway automation without operator variability. We can optimize protocols and reduce workflow time with the Pluto MT system using 8×3 channels during the washing step.

  • Whole blood (24 samples) – surface staining protocol is 2-3 hours (hands off).
  • Intracellular for whole blood (24 samples) is 4-5 hours (hands off)

Yes, you can run two assays back-to-back from beginning to end provided that they have the same incubation and pipetting steps as they are using the same scripting protocol.

The Pluto LT system will wash one column of 8-wells at a time using the 8-channel pipette head in 5-10 minutes.

  • One Pluto LT wash cycle includes three rounds of dispensing and aspirating 250 µL of wash buffer.


Using the Pluto MT system (8×3 pipette channels), the wash cycle will take 5-10 minutes for a 3 columns simultaneous wash.

Yes, you can add up to three cooling (CPAC) modules to the Pluto system. Placements are in these locations on the deck: experimental plate, assay buffer plate, wash buffer deck or reagent plate.

Laminar Wash Technology

The recommended time for optimized cell recovery is 15 minutes at <50 µL volume. Additional time may be required when working with higher volumes or lower cell concentrations.

During incubation, the cells settle to the bottom of the well without any physical attachment. Once the plate is loaded in the washing instrument, two separate nozzles are lowered into each well: one that dispenses buffer and one that aspirates. The laminar velocity is high at the top of the well, whereas the velocity at the bottom, where the cells are located, is close to zero.

Both of the HT systems (HT2100 and HT2000) require ~200 mL for priming.

  • During the washing cycles, they use ~5 mL per wash cycle equaling ~65 mL for the full 9 wash cycle.
  • A typical wash process of 9 cycles takes ~3 minutes when set to the lowest speed (5 µL/s).

Curiox Laminar Wash Plates

Curiox Laminar Wash plates are flat-bottomed and wall-less with dual satellites. Between the wells is a hydrophobic coating, which makes the wells hydrophilic allowing for droplet formation inside each well. When liquid is dispensed into the wells, it forms these droplets that remain in a fixed position from the surface tension created from the hydrophobic surroundings.

No, using these plates is easy and does not require any special skills. They are also compatible with robotic arms if you plan to use with an automation system.

Yes, the Curiox Laminar Wash plates are compatible with most flow cytometers with 96-well loaders.

The plates can process up to 2.5 million cells per well. Each well can hold up to 75 µL of reagents; with a suggested range of 25-75 µL. This volume can increase to 150 µL with our Large Volume Adaptor accessory and up to 300 µL with our Direct Reading Grid accessory.

Yes, per your usual protocol, the fixing, permeabilization, and staining can be performed all on the Curiox Laminar Wash plate

The Curiox Laminar Wash plate can be run in either full or partial capacity. If only a few wells are used, rinse the unused wells with Di-water and store the plate for up to 3 weeks at 4°C. Individual wells, however, cannot be reused and caution must be taken to document which of the wells have been used so as not to use them again. 

Yes, the samples in the plates can be incubated at temperatures ranging from 2°C to 55°C.

No. The leftover volume per well is always 25 µL.