PCR & Liquid Handling Setup
5 stars based on
33 reviews
We use a variety of automated liquid handling systems in our lab. The majority of our liquid handling [instruments] come from the Hamilton Company. We employ Hamilton STAR robotics to run the assay setup for our process and then batch-process our assays onto smaller, point-of-use liquid handlers. I'm a user of flow injection analysis and related techniques.
In my case, the main goal of ALH is to ensure automatic and miniaturized sample preparation analyte enrichment by solid phase extraction, or SPE for liquid chromatographic liquid handling robot qiagen. The flow analysis manifold is coupled with the LC instrument for an automatic and integrated analytical protocol. The liquid handlers are not connected to any other instruments.
We exclusively use a Tecan Freedom EVO system that has a lot of integrated bells and whistles, like a PCR machine, shaker, microplate reader, and vacuum unit. The Freedom EVO is contained within a biosafety enclosure, with waste lines and data cables leading out of the hood.
Working in a DMPK department, our typical workflow centers around chemical property analysis, in vitro ADME studies, and sample processing for bioanalysis. We typically will use the systems to process samples for purity analysis, solubility assessment, and LogD determination. Acceptable compounds are then assayed for microsomal metabolic stability liabilities, CYP inhibition, and cell-based liquid handling robot qiagen, all of which are automated on our Tecan systems.
Again, liquid handling robot qiagen of those assays are either fully automated on our ALHs, or at least partially automated on those same systems. Our company tests samples from clinical trials, including whole blood, serum, plasma, nasal wash, and cell culture supernatant. We run a range of assays on these samples, for example hemagglutination inhibition, neuraminidase inhibition, microneutralization, viral genotyping and subtyping, fluorescent focus potency, TCID50, and sample preparation.
Typical automated assay workflows include sample ID verification, sample addition, serial dilution, transfer, and plate washing. Our use of automation is similar to a production line. Instead of automating the assay from start to finish, we liquid handling robot qiagen batch processing where specific steps are automated. My typical application comprises automatic SPE at microscale—either permanent or renewable sorbent approaches are possible—for analyte enrichment and matrix removal prior to LC injection.
My work has been devoted to method development that comprised applications in the analysis of environmental samples, mostly water, and foodstuffs. Approximately 90 percent of the time we use ALH to transfer liquid to well plates for mass spectrometric biomarker assays.
We run between three and four hundred such samples per day. Sample matrices typically consist of both aqueous and organic solvents, but occasionally human plasma. The standards and QC results are quite consistent within and between batches.
Typical workflows are operations that support our protein-engineering lab and another structural biology lab on campus. These include parallel site-directed mutagenesis, gene assembly, and protein purification. What factors should purchasers of ALH instrumentation consider? Reliability, flexibility, ease of use, and redundancy all factored into our decisions. We wanted systems that we could count on, and that would also allow us to add onto them or reassign them with changing needs in the department.
Vendor service and support are very important to us. As far as the instrument itself, purchasers should look for robustness, expandability to accommodate future needs, integration to other systems and operations, and programmability.
And, of course, cost. In my opinion, the main factors to consider before buying an ALH instrument are its robustness, including materials of construction, and its versatility for accommodating different analytical approaches. I have liquid handling robot qiagen been involved in the purchase of an ALH system, but I suppose throughput and reliability would be assets.
When we purchased the EVO we were looking for a system that was extendable if our needs changed, and a brand that was highly reputable for precision. We also considered cost liquid handling robot qiagen ease of use. What liquid handling robot qiagen automation vendors do to improve their instrumentation, software, interface, or the general user experience?
Having more options and easier solutions would give us more flexibility with how we use our automation. Increasing the pipette capacity volume has been an issue for the majority of the ALH instruments on the market.
Only a few vendors have excelled on this factor, as well as on liquid level detection. Software and interface in general [have] a steep learning curve regardless of new software upgrades and advancements. In the case of flow analysis, I think the instrumentation is quite liquid handling robot qiagen and some improvements can be made through innovative designs and the use of state-of-the-art materials in the different components of the liquid handling robot qiagen.
An example of this might be polymeric materials with enhanced chemical resistance. Another key point is software, which is particularly important for the applications involving wet chemistry assays. In this case, it is clear that current data processing and calculation for the generated results in commercially available software are not in the same stage of development as for other instrumentation that works with similar analytical outputs, such as chromatographic methods.
Liquid sensing errors are very common when working with plasma samples. This requires constant observation to minimize that error. Improvements in those areas would be most welcome. Another area where improvement is needed is in software and method development.
Methods are way too complicated and difficult for average users. Improvements in reliability and precision are always welcome. As for software and the general user experience, having two versions of the accompanying software could perhaps be useful.
The advanced version would be the current version with many, many options to tinker with. The basic version might be liquid handling robot qiagen for novice users who simply want to re-array liquids or something similarly easy.
Second, improvements to separating the labware and robot vectors of different users and labs are needed. Tools and Technologies for the Materials Testing Lab. New Developments in Microplate Technology. Tools and Technologies for Liquid handling robot qiagen. Selecting a Multi-vendor Service Provider. Personal Protective Equipment for the Lab. New Developments in Mass Spectrometry.
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