What is HyperLysis?
HyperLysis™ is the World's fastest bead beating based sample homogenization technology.
HyperLysing is, for all intents and purposes, the point at which optimized lysing occurs. We call it HyperLysing to separate it from the lysing performed by other machines, which for all intents and purposes, provide for inefficient forms of lysing. In comparison to those machines, the RotaPrep machines look like they perform an advanced form of lysing, and to the lysing world, this optimized lysing does indeed look like something new and exciting.
As you can see in Figure 1, the matrix travels the full length of the tube, which is the threshold point where maximum lysing occurs. Below that length of travel, lysing exists in an inefficient form, which can only somewhat be overcome to some degree by a lengthened period of operation.
Why is this Something New?
The homogenizers that have traditionally been on the market evolved from the early days of DNA analysis, and since that time, the vast majority of the machines have simply been either copies of something already existing, or they are marginal improvements of what has come before.
It is fairly simple to look back now and see that no real analysis was done to develop an homogenizer with optimal lysing. The reasons for that are unknown, however, the most likely explanation would be that building a machine to deliver the proper movement is not a simple one. Or at least, it required outside of the box thinking to fashion it.
Most of the machines that are designed primarily for the 2 ml tubes seem to have their inspiration from a vortexer, which was how many labs were able to lyse the cells early on in the new world of DNA analysis.
As you can see in Figure 2, this movement is somewhat limited.
The lysing machines that are designed primarily for the 96 wells plates all appear to stem from the same concept in that if you shake something up and down, you are giving it a good shaking, much like you would do with a can of spray paint.
However, if you take that can of paint, and you shake it, you can easily see that it takes a lot of energy to change directions. You build up speed, then put on the brakes, reverse direction, and then have to build up speed in the opposite direction.
Because of this, these types of homogenizers have limited stroke length. It simply requires too much energy and infrastructure to move the full length of the tube and get to that optimal lysing point.
You can see examples of this in Figures 3 and 4.
How Did HyperLysing Come About?
It came about because of two main factors. The first was to just look at the traditional homogenizers and wonder why they would limit the motion of the matrices in the tubes.
That question was fairly easily answered by recognizing that they were based on motions that made the full length of the tube motion a near impossibility. So then the second question was, what motion would do that?
It took some time, and it took a lot of effort, but here at RotaPrep we found out what that would be. And like many things, once you see the solution, it makes you wonder why you never saw it before.
The early application of HyperLysing was introduced in the MonoLyser. The results there were quite dramatic. Lysing of most materials can be done in a matter of seconds.
But the MonoLyser was designed as a portable device and was not scalable in form to be an adequate bench top device for larger numbers of tubes.
After more inspiration and effort, the PolyLyser came into being, and once again, with HyperLysing, samples can be lysed in a matter of seconds.
The MegaLyser followed along shortly after, using the exact same mechanisms configured primarily for the 96 well plate market. It can, however, be used with virtually any other tube size.
How Important is HyperLysing in Choosing a Homogenizer?
The short answer? Very.
RotaPrep homogenizers with HyperLysing are the ONLY machines on the market anywhere in the world that is able to reach the threshold of optimal lysing. Yes, other machines can work around their inefficiencies to get results in many cases, but why settle for that?
This isn’t a case where RotaPrep homogenizers are more expensive because they are the best, so one needant feel pressured by cost concerns. The other homogenizers that are less efficient actually have to add extra cost to their machines in an effort to overcome their inefficiencies. What is the point in paying for that?
The efficiency of HyperLysing saves the user time with shorter run cycles. And that has multiple benefits. It saves time just as an act of saving time. It also saves on wear and tear on the machine. So when compared to conventional machines, you are putting perhaps 20% or less of wear and tear on the RotaPrep homogenizers with each run. Down the road, that could be a significant savings. And lastly, the greater efficiency in lysing gives the added benefit of less heat transferred to the sample.
The real question one must ask, is why would anyone consider buying any homogenizer the doesn’t employ HyperLysing?