Thermo, Hamilton Partner on Forensic Automation
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Under the terms of a non-exclusive agreement, Thermo Fisher is now able to directly offer Hamilton automation instruments and consumables to its customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and China. Each platform has been optimized for the Applied Biosystems family of products used by forensic laboratories during every step of the forensic workflow. According to Ravi Gupta, director of product management for human identification at Thermo Fisher, implementation of advanced solutions that automate processes in the lab help drive confidence in results, increase throughput and free up valuable time among technicians.
“We are extremely proud to take our long standing relationship with Thermo Fisher to the next level with this distribution agreement,” said Jörg Pochert, Vice President Life Science Robotics at Hamilton Bonaduz. “Having one point of contact it is now easier than ever for users of the Applied Biosystems chemistry to have complete confidence in their results by leveraging Hamilton’s liquid handling systems with state-of-the-art security. Complete sample tracking and outstanding pipetting security ensure maximum process safety and robustness.”
Hamilton instruments now available through Thermo Fisher include: the ID STARlet Extraction system, which automates the DNA extraction process from forensic samples using Applied Biosystems PrepFiler kits, ID STARlet PCR system, a standard solution designed to automate Applied Biosystems quantification and PCR amplification kits; and ID STARlet Complete, which automates Applied Biosystems DNA extraction, quantification and PCR amplification kits.
Other platforms include: the Hamilton ID Express 2 and 4 CE Setup instrument, which eliminates manual pipetting steps to automatically help set up fragment analysis experiments on the capillary electrophoresis (CE) instruments; and the AutoLys STAR 4x4 for sample lysis and DNA purification, the only available hands-free automation solution for lysis and DNA extraction from dried blood and saliva stains, swabs, paper punches, cigarette butts, hard tissues and other forensic specimens residing on solid surfaces.
“Time and confidence in the data generated in forensic laboratories are of the essence. Our ability to now offer our customers direct access to Hamilton’s sophisticated automation platforms, in combination with our Applied Biosystems chemistry, will facilitate an expedited lab set up through a complete suite of trusted solutions at each step of the forensic workflow,” said Rosy Lee, vice president and general manager for human identification at Thermo Fisher.
