Why Clinical Labs Rely More than Ever on Liquid Handling Automation
Automated liquid handling plays a crucial role in improving efficiency, precision, and scalability across diagnostic and research applications
Michelle Dotzert is the creative services manager for our partner brand, Lab Manager. She holds a PhD in kinesiology (specializing in exercise biochemistry) from the University of Western Ontario. Her research examined the effects of exercise training on skeletal muscle lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in a rodent model of Type 1 Diabetes. She has experience with a variety of molecular and biochemistry techniques, as well as HPLC-MS.
ViewFull ProfileLearn about ourEditorial Policies.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced clinical research labs to pause ongoing projects and shift focus to high throughput diagnostic PCR testing. To meet the surge in demand, many facilities needed additional automated platforms and instruments to streamline different stages of their testing workflow. As testing demands subsided, labs began repurposing these platforms to optimize their day-to-day operations. Automated liquid handling (ALH) platforms enhance data quality by improving precision and reproducibility, and enable cost savings by increasing efficiency, freeing skilled staff for higher-value tasks, and providing scalability. Numerous assays and workflows in clinical diagnostics and research labs can benefit from increased automation.
Applications for automation in research and diagnostics workflows
Sample preparation: ALH platforms streamline sample preparation by standardizing pipetting, reducing variability, and minimizing contamination risks. This is especially useful for DNA/RNA extraction in molecular diagnostics, aliquoting biological samples, and affinity purification of immunoglobins (IgGs).
Assay development and optimization: ALH platforms offer high precision for reagent dispensing and can reduce costs via assay miniaturization. This is ideal for high-throughput screening of assay conditions, multiplex ELISAs, PCR set-ups, and genotyping assays.
PCR and qPCR set-up: Automation offers the accuracy and precision required when handling small volumes and reduces the risk of human error. ALH platforms can support master mix preparation, plate set-up for high-throughput PCR or real-time PCR assays, handling of primer/probe combinations, and sample pooling for confirmatory testing.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation: Automation reduces variability in multi-step workflows and can support adapter ligation, amplification, and clean-up steps, as well as pooling and normalization for libraries, DNA clean-up, and more.
ELISA and immunoassays: ALH platforms ensure consistent reagent dispensing and precise plate coating and washing steps. They also enable high-throughput processing for serological assays, improving efficiency and reproducibility.
Cell-based diagnostics: Automated systems enable gentle and precise cell and reagent handling to maintain cell viability. These systems are used for automated cell plating in viability assays, drug sensitivity testing in personalized medicine, and cervical cancer screening for HPV types 16 and 18, streamlining workflows and improving accuracy in diagnostic applications.
Quality control and standardization: ALH platforms ensure reproducibility across batches and minimize human error. They can be used to prepare precise calibration curves for quantitative diagnostics and automate the mixing and dispensing of standards and controls.
Biobanking and sample archiving: Automation is ideal for streamlining these applications by enabling efficient aliquoting and processing of large numbers of samples with precision and consistency.
Liquid biopsy and single-cell diagnostics: ALH platforms ensure precise pipetting for small-volume and highly sensitive assays. They can streamline assay set-up for exosome or cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis, improving efficiency and reproducibility in these workflows.
ALH solutions offer clinical research and diagnostic labs efficient, cost-effective tools to optimize workflows. Programming these instruments doesn't have to be complicated, and INTEGRA Biosciences' ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot enables anyone in the laboratory to set up assays intuitively, without requiring coding knowledge. When paired with a VIAFLO or VOYAGER electronic multichannel pipette, or the D-ONE single channel pipetting module, it automates repetitive pipetting tasks to reduce physical strain and improve precision for numerous applications.
Alternatively, labs can opt for handheld options offering semi-automated processing, like the VIAFLO 96 or VIAFLO 384 pipettes. These 96 and 384 channel devices boost throughput with simultaneous dispensing into every well of a microplate. INTEGRA's flexible systems streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and require minimal training, making them ideal for a variety of applications.
Click here to learn more about why INTEGRA's solutions are ideal for the clinical lab.