The system can process around 24 tissue slides at a time, which makes easier to apply consistent conditions and reduce potential process variability inherent in manual IHC methods.

Merck Millipore bioscience head Patrick Schneider said: "Immunodetection, which has multiple steps and many variables, can be subject to process variability, leading to costly repeats.

"Because this vacuum-driven system minimizes slide handling, it saves researchers time and resources by reducing process variability and conserving valuable samples and reagents."

According to the company, the system’s format reduces slide handling and enhances wash steps during blocking, washing, antibody incubation and labeling.

Featuring vacuum-driven technology, the system is compatible with standard IHC slides and protocols, as well different tissue preparations, including formalin-fixed or fresh frozen samples.

Western blots and IHC experiments can be conducted in parallel, using the new system.

Merck Millipore, a life science division of Merck, is involved in research, development and production of biotech and pharmaceutical drug therapies.