Screening


integration of each individual component to increase reliability and enable robust, 24/7 opera- tions. Although the application techniques required to perform HTS are standardised, a proper analysis of the intended functionality and performance must be considered when selecting and integrating devices. Moreover, the components should be mon- itored and controlled with sophisticated scheduling software to further ensure 24/7 performance with- out compromising system stability or incurring delays due to non-performance of individual devices and components (eg, automated flushing to remove clogging of tubing or shut down of lasers could improve the performance or lifetime of the devices). Proper pre-installation testing, service and technical support also contribute to ensuring that an HTS system performs at its best. Understanding the customers’ needs, their current laboratory con- figuration and the testing of a system prior to ship- ment is essential. In this industry, where accurate result and systems reliability are the very backbone of the facilities success throughout the drug discov- ery process, these critical steps are far too often overlooked. During the assessment and implemen- tation stage, training and on-site support can sig- nificantly impact the overall longevity and per- formance of complex integrated systems that are required for effectively running high-throughput screening applications (Figure 17).


HTS combines laboratory instruments, a robot to move labware, and software to manage the process to a defined schedule. Instruments, robotics, lab- ware and software all affect system failures. Software is recognised as a common cause for lost productivity and can constrain HTS systems mak- ing it difficult to replace unreliable hardware, and providing poor support to manage common failure modes. RTS Life Science (www.rts-group.com) has developed the new Sprint™6, process management and scheduling software, to improve productivity and increase up-time on any existing hardware platform. Instruments are typically designed for laboratory use, not 24/7 operation, and failures should be expected. Within Sprint™6 Software, features such as device pooling and critical sched- ule points ensure valuable assay reagents and data are preserved in the event of an error or failure. Powerful reporting and messaging features can alert engineers when problems occur, and config- urable automated error management helps resolve problems without user interaction. Hardware con- figuration management and abstraction, and a large library of verified device drivers all enable users to swap out unreliable instrumentation, and


Drug Discovery World Winter 2010/11


Solutions to accelerate life sciences.


Robotic arm & scheduling software


PlateCrane EX™ 360 & SoftLinx V™


Automated colony picking


RapidPick™ Colony Picker


Barcode label workcell  Hudson Print & Apply Workcell


Serial dilution workstation  SOLO™ & SOLO™ Plus


Multi function screening workstation


 Varyscreen & RapidHit™


Full proteomics workcell  ProLink Express™


And much more…


Over 150 ready-to-go integrations...


With easy to use SoftLinx™ software and its FREE!


Accelerating Life Sciences™


PH: +1.973.376.7400 info@hudsonrobotics.com www.hudsonrobotics.com


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