Laboratory automation is becoming increasingly more present, reliable and affordable. Debbie Bowers, VP of robotic operations at Hamilton Robotics (premier sponsor at SLAS), answers our questions about laboratory automation trends, explains applications and offers a glimpse into what prospective attendees can expect at SLAS2015.
ER: What are some of the trends and up-and-coming applications of robotics and automation on the lab bench?
DB: The most prominent trends are downsizing instruments, increasing instrument flexibility. Users demand more dedicated platforms with integrated flexibility. Space on the laboratory bench is at a premium, so the smaller the system, the better. More flexibility is valued for running multiple applications on one platform, resulting in an overall smaller footprint.
Out in the field, scientists are demanding more value for the dollar, and more than ever, there is consideration for the total cost of ownership, ROI, robustness, reliability and fast up-times. With the speed of work nowadays, scientists value applications that are ready to go when they buy, so there is no down time in developing new applications for running samples.
The chemistries surrounding next-generation sequencing are part of a rapidly expanding market. The quest for the “$1000 genome” is also a hot point of focus. DNA extractions continue to be a strong application of automation at the lab bench and, as sample numbers increase, work sites demand a robust way to easily handle a large number of samples.
ER: How are advances in automation facilitating research? For example, how is lab automation used in the ever-expanding field of cell culture, and how does Hamilton Robotics support this?
DB: Advances in laboratory automation have allowed scientists to accelerate their research at an incredible pace by increasing system flexibility and ease of use, providing higher-throughput experiments at a smaller scale, all with production of a more reliable, reproducible and accurate end result. Improvements and new innovations in automation have had a great impact on automated cell culture and cell-based assay systems. These types of systems require tightly controlled parameters, long run times, sterile environmental conditions and the use of many different tools and instrumentation.
Hamilton Robotics has contributed to these advancements by innovating in key areas of concern for researchers who want an automated cell culture system that is efficient and reliable.
Contamination and production of aerosols by automated pipettors in a sterile environment is one of the biggest concerns for scientists when dealing with automated cell culture systems. Hamilton has been at the forefront of pipetting technology with the use of air-displacement pipetting using CO-RE tip attachment technology, which allows for delivery of sterile, noncontaminated liquids with no aerosol production. This technology also offers monitored pipetting throughout an entire aspiration dispense cycle and anti-drop control to ensure that every pipetting action is being executed accurately and reliably.
In order for scientists to be creative, innovative and contribute to ground-breaking discoveries, they must not be tied down with mundane laboratory tasks such as manual cell culture, or laboratory equipment that is tedious and hard to use. Hamilton has provided flexible and easy-to-use automated cell culture systems that streamline the scientist’s workflow while seamlessly integrating all the tools and equipment necessary for sample prep, experimental assays and analysis of the end results, offering robust scheduling software that can handle the longer run times required by these systems. Hamilton’s cell culture solutions also allow for scientists to maintain control over their experiments by giving them the ability to easily design and customize them through the software and graphical user interfaces. This helps to accomplish tasks in a quick, efficient way, allowing scientists to increase their walkaway time and contributing to productivity in other areas of the lab.
ER: How does automation help in the very strict and regulated pharmaceutical research environment and, for example, how are automation instruments such as those from Hamilton Robotics designed to answer to those strict protocols?
DB: The Code for Federal Regulation (CFR), particularly the section on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), plays a key role in the design, control, documentation, regulatory confirmation and compliance of instruments in strict environments. We take these guidelines into account in the design of specialized instruments. Quite simply, for maximum success for compliance and performance, everything starts at the drawing board, because customers’ demands can be entirely unique. In-process verification is part of Hamilton’s manufacturing process, so the productsare designed to the company’s demand for specific standards. In-field design, development and support is also provided for concrete verification that instruments are doing exactly what they are intended to do in highly regulated production environments.
ER: What are some new products that are being launched at SLAS?
DB: In response to the market, Hamilton is working on expanding offerings for all modules of the workflow. In terms of workflows, it is not just liquid handling that is being automated, but with it, all of the steps that liquids are subjected to as an integral part of the workflow, from start to finish.
Hamilton will be showcasing a new plate sealer, which is compact and fully integrated with Hamilton instruments. You will see a positive-pressure manifold device for more automated extraction, and a Hamilton heater-shaker device that mounts on the work surface of our liquid-handling instruments.
As many know, Hamilton is not only a leader in liquid handling; we also offer comprehensive sample management products so that our customers can automate their entire workflow from liquid handling to storage of samples. Our newest system, Hamilton Verso, a –20 °C high-throughput sample management system, will be featured at the show.
ER: Can laboratory professionals expect special programs or demonstrations on behalf of Hamilton being the premier sponsor of SLAS? What if they cannot attend?
DB: Hamilton has partnered with many industry experts to offer a workshop about next-generation sequencing solutions. Professionals can receive in-booth demonstrations of applications on our ELISA NIMBUS processor, enhancements to our newest platform, the VANTAGE liquid handling system, as well as Sample Management products including cherry-picking on the Hamilton Verso and tube decapping and identification on the LabElite I.D. Capper. Hamilton Storage Technologies will also demonstrate a –150 °C automated cryopreservation system as part of their new partnership with Askion.
Also, if readers cannot attend, SLAS is offering something new this year—the “Virtual Event Bag.” By means of the Virtual Event Bag, those who cannot attend can still find great literature, educational materials, promotions and more, all available on the SLAS website.
We will also be creating a presentation of highlights from SLAS for our customers—not just our own products, but all of the exciting news coming this year from different manufacturers, new protocols as well as up-and-coming research. Hamilton’s premier sponsorship is part of our investment in the scientific community. We attend SLAS to reach out to the seekers of solutions who are responsible for the advancements made in science. Being the premier sponsor, our goal is to help make SLAS educational and worthwhile.
Emilia Raszkiewicz is managing editor, American Laboratory; eraszkiewicz@ comparenetworks.com