PIXL max: ai-powered colony picking for high-throughput microbial discovery

PIXL Max is Singer Instruments’ fastest and most advanced microbial colony picker, designed for high-throughput isolation, phenotypic selection and traceable library creation across diverse microorganisms.

Manual colony selection and picking can restrict throughput, introduce variability and consume valuable scientific time. PIXL Max automates plate imaging, colony detection, selection and transfer at speeds of up to 3,000 colonies per hour, helping laboratories explore larger libraries while maintaining >99% transfer efficiency.

An 8 MP scientific-grade colour camera and six-channel illumination system capture detailed plate images. AI algorithms detect colonies down to 0.2 mm and enable selection by size, shape, morphology, colour, proximity, intensity and fluorescence. Agar-surface detection regulates contact on every pick, while freshly cut, sterile PickupLine tips eliminate wash cycles and minimise cross-contamination.

Core capabilities include:

Random colony picking and re-arraying AI morphological classification Fluorescence detection and selection Zone-of-inhibition measurement and hit picking Colony streaking Automated MALDI-TOF target preparation Selection from agar or liquid into multiwell, deep-well, PCR or agar plates CSV phenotypic-data export and colony images for traceability Open API and automatic-door options for robotic integration

PIXL technology is commercially available and used internationally across microbiology, synthetic biology, microbiome, strain engineering and biobanking workflows. Demonstrated applications include building and maintaining libraries containing up to 200,000 strains, isolating previously uncultured microbiome organisms and automating microbial identification workflows.

For larger screening programmes, PIXL Max can be paired with ROTOR+ to maintain and replicate arrayed libraries at densities up to 6,144, creating a complete pick, array, screen and cherry-pick workflow.

Next steps:

Singer Instruments can map your workflow, demonstrate PIXL Max using representative organisms, validate performance against agreed criteria, configure specialist labware or software integrations, and support installation, training and scale-up. We welcome technology evaluations, pilot projects, supply partnerships, automation integration and co-development opportunities.