Automation – Multimedia

The synthesis of genetic constructs via the Slonomics™ technology utilizes various liquid handling, mixing, incubation and microplate handling procedures, performed via a multistep, convergent synthesis protocol. For the automated parallel production of such custom gene constructs, we developed a modular system architecture consisting of independently operating robotic stations.

Market pressure exists for new paradigms to meet the demands for more rapid and reproducible cell production to keep up with advances in cell-based assays used in drug discovery and development. Novel automation platforms enable high productivity on three dimensional surfaces.

FIP (French beamline for the Investigation of Proteins) at the ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) pushed developments in automation to reach a fully automated beamline. - The energy adjustment and beam optimization are completely automated. - The screening of the different protein crystals is ensured by a robotic system.In addition, this robot offers the possibility to analyze crystals directly as they grow in drops inside crystallization plates.

BioTek has developed the NanoQuot™, a dispenser capable of running stand-alone or computer controlled as part of a robotics system. Positive gas pressure system, in conjunction with eight precision valves, provides accurate and precise dispensing of volumes ranging from 100 nanoliters to 40 microliters in 96-, 384-, and 1536-well plates.

The work presented in this poster covers the investigation of key parameters for the expansion of stem cells in an automated micro-well format. The effect of inoculation seeding density (ICD), well size, passage number and feeding strategies on the proliferation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC) was investigated. In parallel the effect of well size and seeding density on the proliferation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells was also examined.

The mosquito® X1 offers precision sampling of any individual well in 48-, 96-, 384- or 1536-well plates. This enables researchers to quickly select small volumes of “hits” from primary screening plates and transfer them directly to the next screening stage without further dilution. mosquito® X1's disposable pipette tips guarantee zero cross-contamination.

The mosquito® (TTP LabTech) offers fast positive displacement pipettingfor accurate and reproducible aspiration and dispensing throughout the 50 nL-1.2 µL range, producing CVs of <8% at 50 nLirrespective of viscosity. Mosquito’s micropipettes are also disposable, thus guaranteeing zero cross-contamination where required.

In the proteomics area with the increasing capacity of the mass spectrometers, sample preparation is becoming a limiting step for protein identification. Magnetic particle based technology provides a rapid and easy solution for automation of the sample preparation step.

This article aims to provide, with several real HTT system examples, a brief insight into how common, discrete tasks to HTT can be integrated into flexible, high throughput, automated systems as part of a corporate HTT strategy.

Here, we model the integration of the Protedyne BioCube System and the Acumen Explorer for practical high-throughput, high content screening of protein kinases.