Automation
in the lab to quickly set up highly complex liquid handling protocols (eg dose response, assay opti- misation or plate randomisation) that would be extremely time-consuming or even impossible by hand. (Beckman, Tecan). Other systems enhance the productivity of the automation novice by mak- ing benchtop systems truly personal and approach- able (Satorius Biohit); or eliminate the burden of weekend cell culture work (Logos); or allow end- users without extensive automation expertise easy access to their system (Thermo Scientific). Pre-validated protocols: Increasingly out-of-the- box solutions for sample preparation include pre- defined, pre-optimised and pre-configured proto- cols. These are mainly focused on next gen sequencing sample prep, qPCR setup, quantifica- tion and normalisation of genomic DNA samples and miniaturised qPCR to monitor gene expression (Agilent, Caliper, BioTek, Labcyte, PerkinElmer). Turnkey solutions: The range of compact turnkey boxes with associated reagent kits enabling the optimised isolation of protein and nucleic acids and qPCR setup has significantly expanded (Promega, Qiagen). Some larger turnkey worksta- tions also include detection (Qiagen). Other ven- dors offer turnkey solutions through simple system integration (Hudson). New software: Is the key to all systems with user- friendly touch screen interfaces, wizard-guided scripts to shorten user learning curves and flexible onboard instrument control the norm (Agilent, Biotek, Hamilton, Satorius Biohit). More advanced systems now include as standard integrated bar- code reading and sample tracking, system valida- tion and qualification, error recovery and excep- tion handling (Eppendorf, Hamilton, Hudson, Labcyte, PerkinElmer). In addition, innovative deck designs eliminate the risk of losing costly reagents and precious samples while vastly simpli- fying programming and saving space (Caliper, Cybio, Hamilton).
New robotic configurations: The functionality and versatility of existing plate movers have been enhanced to create modular and customisable benchtop automation solutions that incorporate ‘click-in’ integration components (Thermo Scientific). Others are catering to the bench-top research environment with compact robotics that does not compromise the benefits of automation (Agilent, Labcyte).
If the number of new instrument launches at the SLAS 2012 Conference & Exhibition (many of which are first reported in this article) and the range of applications supported is our gauge, we
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can expect to see the wider uptake and deploy- ment of small-scale benchtop automation in the future, particularly among new or novice users of automation.
DDW
Dr John Comley is Managing Director of HTStec Limited, an independent market research consul- tancy whose focus is on assisting clients delivering novel enabling platform technologies (liquid han- dling, laboratory automation, detection instrumen- tation and assay reagent technologies) to drug dis- covery and the life sciences. Since its formation eight years ago, HTStec has published more than 70 market reports on enabling technologies and Dr Comley has authored more than 35 review articles in Drug Discovery World. Please contact
info@htstec.com for more information about HTStec reports.
Drug Discovery World Winter 2011/12
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