# Frequently asked questions parheliabio website **Frequently asked questions** **Frequently asked questions** How does Omni-Stainer™ work? **How does Omni-Stainer™ work?** Omni-Stainer™ enables microscopy staining automation by hosting samples in thin capillary exchange chambers, thus allowing a liquid handler to supply reagents to the tops of the chambers. When a new buffer is added to the top, it is drawn into the chamber by the capillary force, instantly displacing the old buffer. **What sample types does the Omni-Stainer™ support?** Omni-Stainer™ exists in two versions: Omni-Stainer™ S12 for slide-mounted samples and Omni-Stainer™ C12 for coverslip-mounted samples. Please make sure to order the version according to your needs. **What coverslip types does Omni-Stainer™ support?** The coverslip instrument Omni-Stainer™ can accommodate samples mounted standard rectangular microscopy coverslips, 22x22 or 18x18 size. **What types of applications require coverslip staining?** Coverslip staining is less conventional than staining on slides but it is widely used in a number of applications, such as: 1. Cell cultures - adherent cell lines are often grown on coverslips as they easily adhere to the glass and form micro-colonies 2. TIRF - Total Internal Reflection Microscopy illuminates a thin surface layer of approx. \~200nm and therefore requires the sample to be adhered directly to the coverslip 3. Cyclic protocols that require on-microscope sample perfusion protocols, such as CODEX, CycIF, MERFISH, variations of STORM such as Exchange-PAINT - all require coverslip-mounted samples. **What types of applications require slide-mounted samples?** Most OCT fresh-frozen or FFPE tissue sample staining protocols are performed on slides. Those include Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Immunofluorescence (IF), In Situ Hybridization (ISH), Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC). **Does Omni-Stainer™ support heating and cooling?** The Omni-Stainer™ is made of heat-conductive aluminum and can be used in conjuncture with a temperature control module (like the one here), allowing the temperature to be programmatically controlled between 4C and 95C. This enables a variety of protocols, such as FFPE Antigen Retrieval, smRNA-FISH, or CycIF to be performed directly inside the Omni-Stainer™ device. **Does Omni-Stainer™ support heating and cooling?** The Omni-Stainer™ is made of heat-conductive aluminum and can be used in conjuncture with a temperature control module (like the one here), allowing the temperature to be programmatically controlled between 4C and 95C. This enables a variety of protocols, such as FFPE Antigen Retrieval, smRNA-FISH, or CycIF to be performed directly inside the Omni-Stainer™ device. smRNA-FISH **Which liquid handlers are compatible with the Omni-Stainer™ device?** Omni-Stainer™ can be used in most liquid handling robots that support 96-well-plate-sized labware, including Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, Tecan Evo, and others. For those labs that would need to purchase a liquid handler to enable Parhelia automation, we recommend Opentrons OT-2, a simple budget liquid handler that is available [here](https://parheliabio.com/product-category/opentrons-robot-purchase/) ![Automated Staining System](https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2FAi5CW7Jt1tvijvCHjAEO%2F0.jpeg?alt=media) Omni-Stainer™ inside a liquid handling robot **How does Omni-Stainer™ compare to other autostaining solutions?** There are many staining automation solutions on the market, with big names from prominent vendors. However, most of those systems are bulky, expensive, not particularly reagent-efficient, and are oriented toward clinical pathology labs. Since they are not designed to be used in a research setting, such systems can be difficult to program and adapt to custom protocols. In contrast, Omni-Stainer™ is compact, affordable, extremely flexible and easy to use. In addition, the Omni-Stainer™ has the unique capability to stain coverslip-mounted samples. ![Parhelia Omni-Stainer](https://3271682270-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWKyUXOqIKtqE7cAUE2yQ%2Fuploads%2FaOW7Ut1nm5Ir7ugQodRx%2F1.jpeg?alt=media) Omni-Stainer™ hosts 12 coverslips samples and 12 slide samples. **What kind of buffers does Omni-Stainer™ support?** Omni-Stainer™ is made of chemically inert materials and is compatible with most aqueous buffers including those containing high-viscosity agents (e.g. dextran sulfate, glycerol), high salt buffers (up to 0.65M salt), detergents, DMF/DMSO, semi-polar organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone). It is not compatible with non-polar solvents such as petrol distillates or xylenes. !\[A picture containing diagram, plan, map Description automatically generated]\() Dextran sulfate