Device and apparatus for collecting microbial growth from a semi-solid surface

An automated method for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface comprising:

• providing a robotic pipettor adapted to receive a pipette tip,
• lowering the pipette tip until it contacts the semi-solid surface on which a colony of interest is disposed such that the pipette tip is in contact with the colony of interest, advancing the pipette tip further until the pipette tip is in contact with the semi-solid surface supporting the colony of interest thereby forming a seal with the semi-solid surface;
• collecting, using air assist, a portion of the biological sample;
• retracting the pipette tip from contact with the semi-solid surface and the colony of interest;
• placing the pipette tip in contact with a fluid disposed in a vessel;
• dispensing, using air assist, a portion of the contents from the pipette tip into solution and then drawing at least a portion of the biological sample back into the pipette tip thereby introducing shear force onto a portion of the biological sample collected by the pipette tip;
• and
• dispensing, using air assist, at least a portion of the biological sample from the pipette tip into the solution.